{"columns":["Feature Name ","Feature Description ","Column 1","Column 2","Column 3"],"total":14,"offset":0,"limit":14,"data":[{"Feature Name ":"_column name ","Feature Description ":"Feature ","Column 1":"\n  NASM","Column 2":"ACE","Column 3":"ISSA"},{"Feature Name ":"_popular ","Feature Description ":"","Column 1":"Yes","Column 2":"","Column 3":""},{"Feature Name ":"NCCA Accreditation","Feature Description ":"","Column 1":"Yes \"Yes directly accredited\"","Column 2":"Yes \"Yes—NCCA-accredited CPT exam available\"","Column 3":"No \"No. Must go through separate NCCPT pathway\""},{"Feature Name ":"Exam Format","Feature Description ":"","Column 1":"Proctored, closed book, timed (120 Qs)","Column 2":"Proctored (150 Qs)","Column 3":"Open-book, untimed (internal exam); Proctored only via separate NCCPT exam"},{"Feature Name ":"Accredited Exam Pass Rate (2025)","Feature Description ":"","Column 1":"85% (19,338 passed of 22,843)","Column 2":"73%","Column 3":"~67% (NCCA-accredited NCCPT exam; 734 passed of 1,095) Note: ISSA advertises ~95% pass rate for its open-book, non-accredited exam "},{"Feature Name ":"Scientific References","Feature Description ":"","Column 1":"1,223 scholarly references","Column 2":"Foundational exercise science","Column 3":"412 references, many pre-2010"},{"Feature Name ":"Expert Faculty","Feature Description ":"","Column 1":"33 contributors (18 Ph.D.s and Ed.D.s)","Column 2":"Subject matter experts","Column 3":"8 SMEs (1 Ph.D.)"},{"Feature Name ":"Training Model","Feature Description ":"","Column 1":"OPT Model: proprietary, evidence-based","Column 2":"IFT Model: behavior change focus","Column 3":"General framework: no proprietary model"},{"Feature Name ":"Learning Technology","Feature Description ":"","Column 1":"AI Mentor, 3D anatomy, 200+ exercise videos, 124 knowledge checks","Column 2":"Digital learning platform with study tools","Column 3":"Online textbooks and study guides"},{"Feature Name ":"Global Network","Feature Description ":"","Column 1":"1.9M+ professionals in 100+ countries","Column 2":"Well-recognized in US","Column 3":"~475K professionals"},{"Feature Name ":"Pro Sport Trainers and Coaches","Feature Description ":"","Column 1":"100% of NBA, NFL, MLB teams employ NASM credential holders","Column 2":"Limited elite sport presence","Column 3":"Minimal elite sport adoption"},{"Feature Name ":"Career Support","Feature Description ":"","Column 1":"Gymternship, Job Guarantee, NASM One membership, NASM Community, EDGE™ Trainer Pro, specialized credentials, and continuing education","Column 2":"Career resources, industry memberships, digital publication, and continuing education","Column 3":"Career platform, job guarantee, CEUs Note: Job guarantee tied to passing NCCPT exam "},{"Feature Name ":"Recertification Cost","Feature Description ":"","Column 1":"Free with NASM One membership (From $35/month; includes CEUs and other benefits) ","Column 2":"$129","Column 3":"$0 only if all 20 CEUs are earned through ISSA; otherwise, the renewal fee is $99"},{"Feature Name ":"Employer Recognition","Feature Description ":"","Column 1":"Gold standard: frequently required by gyms and performance facilities","Column 2":"Well-recognized in health and wellness community settings","Column 3":"Varies; non-NCCA credential may not be accepted"}],":type":"sheet"}