NASM Certified Personal Trainer
Exam Information
NASM'S CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER EXAM
To become an NASM-CPT, you must successfully pass the NCCA-accredited personal trainer certification exam, which must be proctored.
There are two options for taking the exam:
- Online through a live remote proctor
- In-person at one of our many proctoring locations
PREPARING FOR THE EXAM
To become an NASM-CPT, candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements:
Helpful Resources
- Certification Candidate Handbook: The Certification Candidate Handbook is a comprehensive overview of the NASM-CPT certification program and is required reading before taking the exam. The Candidate Handbook covers important topic such as eligibility requirements, the exam outline, expectations, and recertification.
- Study Guide: The CPT Exam Study Guide includes helpful key highlights, terms and concepts.
- How to Become a Personal Trainer Page: The How to Become a Personal Trainer Page shows the necessary steps to become a personal trainer.
- NASM EDGE: The NASM EDGE personal training app has an exam prep feature with practice questions flash cards to help you study for understand the central concepts of personal training.
- Exam Prep Q&A Forum: If you still have questions this is the best and fastest way to get answers. Ask us anything about preparing for your certification exam, our study materials or about succeeding as personal trainer. Ask Now!
Additional Documents:
Note: Purchase of NASM certification preparation materials is not required in order to become eligible to sit for the CPT exam, and does not guarantee a passing score on the exam.
For more information on preparing for your exam, visit our FAQs by clicking here.
SCHEDULING YOUR EXAM
Depending on whether you’re taking the in-person exam at a proctoring location or online through a live remote proctor, there are different steps to scheduling your NASM-CPT exam.
Note: If the country in which you are looking to schedule your exam is unavailable for registration online or over the phone through PSI, please contact NASM Member Services at 1-800-460-6276 to start your registration process. Please allow 4-6 weeks for scheduling.
If You Need to Cancel or Reschedule Your Exam Appointment
If you need to cancel or reschedule your online exam appointment, log in to the testing platform to do so. Note: You can reschedule or cancel a booking no less than 24 hours before the exam start time.
If you need to cancel or reschedule your in-person exam appointment, call PSI at least 24 hours before the exam start time to avoid being charged a late cancellation fee. If you do not show for an exam appointment and you do not cancel, it will be treated as a failed attempt and you will not be entitled to a refund.
For more information on scheduling your exam, visit our FAQs by clicking here.
TAKING THE EXAM: DAY OF INFORMATION
NASM recognizes that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is very limited availability of hands-on skills assessments for CPR/AED certifications. NASM will be temporarily waiving the hands-on skills assessment requirement and accepting online only CPR/AED courses. This waiver applies to exam candidates and professionals recertifying their credentials. At the time of your test, you will be required to show proof of a valid, current, government-issued Photo ID and current, valid Emergency Cardiopulmonary Resuscitated (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification. *
*CPR/AED certifications are accepted from NASM, the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, American Safety and Health Institute, St. John Ambulance, Emergency Care & Safety Institute or Emergency Medical Technician. Before taking your CPR/AED from another provider, please contact NASM.
For more information on taking your exam, visit our FAQs by clicking here.
AFTER THE EXAM
If the candidate is unsuccessful after the second attempt, he/she will be required to wait 30 days before retaking the exam. For each repeated failure after the 3rd attempt, candidates will be required to wait a year before attempting to take the exam again.
For more information on after taking your exam, visit our FAQs by clicking here.