How to Become a
Certified Personal Trainer
Start Your Fitness Career Today
Interested in Becoming a Certified Personal Trainer?
Personal training is one of the most exciting and satisfying careers you can have. If you are curious about how to become a Certified Personal Trainer, NASM is here to help.
We’re proud to announce our Certified Personal Trainer program now includes two exam options, the Personal Trainer Certification (NCCA-Accredited Certification exam) and the NASM Personal Trainer Certificate (non-proctored exam), providing you more choices to fit your needs.
Become a Certified Personal Trainer
With NASM you can become a Certified Personal Trainer as few as 4 weeks — set your own hours and enjoy the job security of working in an industry that’s growing.
How to Get Started as a Certified Personal Trainer
Step 1: Make Sure You're Eligible
To be eligible to complete the Personal Trainer Certification program you must have:
- High school degree or GED
- Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification
- Current Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification
If you currently do not have your CPR/AED certifications, you will need to take them prior to taking your personal trainer certification exam. NASM also offers a CPR/AED certification course to fulfill this requirement.
Step 2: Research Your Options
You’ll find many options for Certified Personal Trainer courses, at NASM we design our programs for your success. From immersive multimedia, microlearning models, and evidence-based content, nothing will prepare you to hit the ground running like our Certified Personal Trainer program.
When you enroll in the Certified Personal Trainer program, you will have two exam options:
Option 1. NASM Personal Trainer Certificate (Non-Proctored Exam)
This non-proctored and open-book exam has 100 questions and requires a passing grade of 70%. This exam is administered online only. You will have 3 hours to complete the exam, and you must take the exam within 180 days of your enrollment date.
Option 2. NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NCCA-Accredited Certification Exam)
The NCCA is a nationally recognized third-party agency that accredits certification programs which are able to meet and comply with its standards. The NCCA exam is a nationally accredited exam. This closed-book exam has 120 questions. You must pass with a scaled score of 70 or better. This proctored exam can be administered either in-person or online, and you will have 2 hours to complete the test. You must take this exam within 180 days of your enrollment date.
The choice is yours, and selecting which exam to take will depend on your goals.
Step 3: Choose a Certified Personal Trainer program
There are many NASM packages to choose from. There are no wrong decisions – all will help prepare you for a career as a fitness trainer!
The ultimate in flexibility. Learn at your pace and study when you want with no set schedules.
Learn More.
Program accompanied by 1:1 coaching and a mentor who will be your guide.
Learn More.
Receive hands-on personal training experience with an NASM Gymternship™.
Learn More.
Jumpstart your career with instant access to our top 4 courses for personal trainers.
Learn More.
Compare Personal Trainer Programs
ALL OPTIONS ARE 100% ONLINE AND SELF-PACED FOR YOUR LEARNING CONVENIENCE
Self-Study
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/month
* $0
down + 11 payments
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/month
* $0
down + 11 payments
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or
One time payment
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Or One time payment
click here to learn
more
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100% Online Course
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Two Exam Options
• NASM Personal Trainer Certification (NCCA Accredited Exam)
• NASM Personal Trainer Certificate (NASM Exam)
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State-of-the-Art, Digital Learning
Platform
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High-End Learning Videos
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Audio Chapter Summaries
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Exercise Demonstration Library
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Biodigital 3D Models
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Handouts and Resources Library
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Practice Exam, Quizzes and Knowledge Checks
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Best-in-Class Test Prep with NASM's Edge Mobile
App
View More Benefits
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High-End Learning Videos
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Audio Chapter Summaries
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Exercise Demonstration Library
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Biodigital 3D Models
-
Handouts and Resources Library
-
Practice Exam, Quizzes and Knowledge Checks
-
Best-in-Class Test Prep with NASM's Edge Mobile
App
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Hide More Benefits
- Buy
Now
or click
here to learn more
Premium Self-Study
()
/month
* $0
down + 11 payments
Interest-free payment plans
/month
* $0
down + 4 payments
Interest-free payment plans
()
or
One time payment
Buy Now
Or One time payment
click here to
learn more
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Everything in Self-Study
plus...
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Job Guarantee** ($499
value)
Upon successful completion of your NASM-CPT exam,
NASM guarantees that you will get a job within 90 days or the cost of the
Job Guarantee will be refunded to you. Terms and conditions apply to the
Job Guarantee can be found in the CPT Candidate Handbook
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Unlimited Access to NASM Fitness Experts ($299
value)
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Exam Retest ($199
value)
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$900+ added value
All-Inclusive
()
/month
* $0
down + 11 payments
Interest-free payment plans
/month
* $0
down + 11 payments
Interest-free payment plans
or
One time payment
Buy Now
Or One time payment
click here to
learn
more
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Everything in Premium
Self-Study plus...
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Gymternship™ ($699
value)
With this upgrade, you will
receive 80 hours of on-site, hands-on experience with actual fitness
clients. You'll also get weekly online & practical assignments that
incorporate fitness training services, typical facility tasks, and
mentoring.
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Hardcopy Textbook ($199
value)
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CPR/AED Certification Online ($49
value)
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$900+ added value
Elite Trainer Bundle
()
/month
*
$0 down + 11 payments
Interest-free payment plans
/month
Interest-free payment plans
or
One time payment
Buy Now
Or One
time payment
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Everything in All-Inclusive
plus...
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Corrective Exercise Specialization (CES) ($899
value)
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Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC) ($899
value)
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Performance Enhancement Specialization (PES)
($849 value)
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Fully Customizable Bundle - Call in for Details
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$2,400+ added value
The textbook can be added to the Self-Study or Premium Self-Study packages by calling one of our Program Advisors at 1-800-460-6276. Purchase of the textbook is not required in order to become eligible to sit for the exam.
**Upon successful completion of your NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NCCA-Accredited Certification Exam), NASM guarantees that you will get a job within 90 days or the cost of the Job Guarantee will be refunded to you. Terms and conditions apply to the Job Guarantee and can be found in the T&Cs (Section 5).
Our Commitment to Quality Fitness Programs
At National Academy of Sports Medicine, we are dedicated to providing the best training needed to become a Certified Personal Trainer. Backed by science and driven by experts in the field, the Certified Personal Trainer program helps you build a firm foundation to create an effective personal training business that’s unique to your goals and story.
Each personal training course is specifically designed to meet the needs of today’s clients who are searching for a trustworthy and tested approach to fitness and their future personal trainer career as a
whole.
Contact us today for more information on how you can take the first step toward starting your own fitness training business.
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