Lead Clients to Lifelong Success | 1.9 CEUs
NASM Behavior Change Specialization (BCS)
Price
$37.00 $29.00 /month
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Course Details
Course Description
Unlock the key to success in fitness and life by mastering the art of creating authentic, long-lasting behavior change. This specialization equips you with powerful tools to help clients exceed their expectations and achieve ambitious fitness and wellness goals.
Learn to empower clients through positive behavior change using a comprehensive suite of techniques, including effective goal setting, mental imagery, and behavior therapy. Enhance the outcomes of your training efforts, from personal training to nutrition, and boost client retention by fostering long-term commitment to fitness programs.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course. A fitness or wellness credential or a bachelor's degree is recommended but not required.
Course Sections
Chapter 1: Introduction to Behavior Change
Chapter 2: Coaching and Communication
Chapter 3: Client Screening and Assessment
Chapter 4: Effective Goal Setting
Chapter 5: Behavior Therapy Techniques
Chapter 6: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Chapter 7: Effective Imagery
Chapter 8: Interpersonal and Social Influences on Behavior Change
Chapter 9: Professional Practice and Ethics
Exam Details
You have 365 days from your date of purchase to pass your exam. After completing the course, you will take a timed online exam consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions. The exam must be completed within 90 minutes. To pass the exam, you must achieve a minimum score of 70%; if you do not, you have up to three attempts to reach this requirement.
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Behavior Change Specialization
Exclusive Offer
$29.00 / Monthly
$37.00*$49 down + 12 payments20% OFF
- Pay in full
- 4 monthly payments
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COURSE INCLUDES
- 1.9 CEUs
- 100% Online & Self-Paced Program
- Instructional Videos & Downloadable Resources
- Practice Quizzes & Exam
- Flexible Payment Options Available
What is the NASM Behavior Change Specialization (BCS)?
The NASM Behavior Change Specialization (BCS) is a fully online and self-paced advanced credential designed to help fitness and wellness professionals improve client program adherence with evidence-based behavior change science. The BCS trains you to turn short-term effort into lasting change using the psychology of habit, goal setting, and behavior therapy, built on NASM’s SWIM Model™.
Who is the Behavior Change Specialization for?
The Behavior Change Specialization is for personal trainers, nutrition and wellness coaches, group fitness instructors, and individuals who want to learn how to build lasting habits using evidence-based behavior-change psychology.
Are there prerequisites for the Behavior Change Specialization?
There are no prerequisites for the Behavior Change Specialization program, though a fitness or wellness credential or a bachelor's degree is recommended. BCS is designed for fitness professionals, aspiring professionals, and individuals who want to learn how to build lasting habits using evidence-based behavior-change psychology.
What does the Behavior Change Specialization cover?
The Behavior Change Specialization (BCS) covers behavior change psychology, coaching, and communication. BCS uses NASM’s proprietary SWIM™ Model to help fitness professionals deliver personalized behavior-change coaching strategies. Across nine chapters, you'll learn how to assess readiness for change, identify barriers, set effective goals, and apply evidence-based coaching and communication techniques. Rather than relying on one-size-fits-all approaches, Behavior Change Specialization teaches you how to match the right intervention to each client’s needs, helping drive better adherence, stronger motivation, and longer-lasting results.
How can the Behavior Change Specialization program help me expand my fitness services?
The skills and techniques learned in Behavior Change Specialization help fitness and wellness professionals improve client outcomes, including program adherence and results. Behavior Change Specialization covers behavior-change coaching and communication, client screening and assessment, goal setting, behavior therapy techniques, cognitive behavioral strategies, effective imagery, social influences, and professional ethics. The program is 100% online and self-paced; it can be completed in as few as four weeks, so you can study around a full-time job.
How much more do personal trainers with the Behavior Change Specialization earn?*
In NASM's 2026 State of the Personal Trainer Survey (n=1,133, April 2026, ±2.9% margin of error), personal trainers who added the Behavior Change Specialization reported earning about 35% more than those who didn't. Actual earnings vary by setting and experience. NASM 2026 State of the Personal Trainer Survey full Report.
How is the Behavior Change Specialization exam structured?
The Behavior Change Specialization exam is completely online and open book. It has 100 multiple-choice questions, a 90-minute limit, and a 70% passing score, with up to three attempts. You have one year from purchase to complete the exam, and you have access to the course materials for five years.
How many CEUs do you earn if you complete the Behavior Change Specialization program?
The Behavior Change Specialization is worth 1.9 NASM CEUs, which can be applied toward renewing an existing NASM certification such as the NASM-CPT.
Does the Behavior Change Specialization credential expire?
No. Once you pass the Behavior Change Specialization exam, your credential does not require renewal and does not expire.
Is the Behavior Change Specialization exam accredited by a third-party?
The Behavior Change Specialization exam is not NCCA-accredited. The Behavior Change Specialization is an advanced specialization designed to help fitness and wellness professionals take the guesswork out of motivation, turning limited face-to-face time into structured, high-impact influence that produces faster, more lasting results for clients It's built on peer-reviewed behavior-change science and does not require third-party accreditation or proctoring.
*2026 State of the Personal Trainer Survey
This survey was conducted by NASM in April 2026, targeting personal trainers. There were 1,133 active personal trainers who took part in the survey. Statistical data provided herein have a margin of error of +/- 2.9% with a 95% confidence. To view the full report, click here.
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