NCCA Accredited Personal Training
Certification Comparison
Why NCCA?
NCCA accredited personal training certification programs are the most widely recognized in the industry.
The NCCA is the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. The NCCA accredits programs that meet its standards. While there are several other organizations that attempt to offer accreditation, the NCCA is the only one that seems to carry any weight.
The one big exception is the personal training degree, diploma and certificate programs offered by reputable trade schools and Colleges. These personal training schools are often accredited by the government (usually the state) and don't bother to pursue NCCA accreditation.
 What about Non-NCCA and Non-College accredited personal training certification programs? There are many good programs to consider. Usually they are less expensive and easier to achieve but carry less prestige as well.
We have compiled all the data from our accredited personal training certification program review into this summary table. You can also compare all certification programs in one huge table here.
This is the only place on the Internet to compare accredited personal training certification programs. If you find this information useful, please consider supporting our site.
Each of the links in our personal training certification school
table will take you to our information page for each program.
| Personal Training Certification School |
ACE |
ACTION |
NASM |
ACSM |
NSCA |
NCSF |
NFPT |
NESTA |
IFPA |
| Certification |
Personal Trainer |
Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) |
Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) |
Certified Personal Trainer (cPT) |
NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) |
Certified Personal Trainer (cPT)
|
CPT - Certified Personal Trainer |
Personal Fitness Trainer (PFT) |
CPT - Certified Personal Trainer |
| Established |
1985 |
2010 |
1987 |
1954 |
1993 |
|
1988 |
|
1994 |
|
| Workshop length |
2 days |
Online Classes (about 20 hours) |
2 days |
1 or 3 days |
2 days |
2 days or extended school option |
2 days |
2 days |
2 days |
| Workshop
Availability |
US major cities |
Online |
Select US cities |
US major cities |
Limited cities |
US major cities |
Major U.S. Cities |
very limited |
Major U.S. Cities |
| Program Cost |
$399 |
$45 or Free Option |
$629-$799 |
$129 or $375 |
N/A |
$309 |
$425 |
$489 or $389 without Polar watch |
$399-$459 |
| Materials cost |
Included |
Included |
Included |
$125 |
up to $468 |
Included |
Included |
Included |
Included |
| Industry recognition |
High |
Med-High |
High |
High |
High |
High |
Med - High |
Med |
Med - High |
| Accreditations |
NCCA |
NCCA |
NCCA |
NCCA |
NCCA |
NCCA |
NCCA |
NCCA |
NCCA, ACET |
| Prerequisites |
18 years old, Adult CPR/AED Certificate |
None |
18 years old, Adult CPR/AED Certificate |
High School Diploma, Adult CPR Certificate |
18 years old, Adult CPR and AED Certificate, high school diploma or equivalent |
None |
High School Diploma, 18 years old, 2+ years fitness experience |
18 years old, high school diploma or equivalent |
High School Diploma, 18 years old, CPR |
|
| Exam Questions |
150 |
150 |
120 |
125-150 |
140 |
150 |
120 |
100 |
100 |
| Exam Time |
3 hours |
3 hours |
2 hours |
2.5 hours |
3 hours |
3 hours |
2 hours |
2 hours |
2.5 hours |
| Exam Cost |
$219 (pencil/paper), $249 (computer) |
$60 |
Included |
$279 |
$235-270 (members)/ $355-390(non-members) (Pencil/paper exam) $285(members)/$405(non-members) (Computer-based exam) |
$199 |
$44 |
$199 |
included |
| Retest Cost |
$135 (pencil/paper) $184 (computer) |
$60 |
$199 |
$150 |
$185-220(members)/$305-340(non-members) (Pencil/paper exam) $235(members)/$355(non-members) (Computer-based exam) |
$135 |
$60 |
$95 |
$79 |
| Exam deadline |
|
|
180 days |
|
1 year |
|
1 year |
90 days |
6 months |
| Exam locations |
Major cities worldwide |
Online, U.S. and Canada |
Major U.S. Cities |
Major cities worldwide |
Major cities worldwide (pencil/paper) United States only (computer-based) |
400 testing locations in North America |
300 testing centers worldwide |
Major US Cities |
Major Cities worldwide |
| Time to Complete (Approx.) |
3-6 months |
2-3 months |
|
4-9 months |
4-9 months |
4-6 months |
2 to 6 months |
4-6 weeks |
2 to 6 months |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Recertification |
every 2 years |
every 2 years |
every 2 years |
every 3 years |
every 3 years |
every 2 years |
every year |
every 4 years |
every 2 years |
| Recertification Cost including CEU (Approx.) |
$400 |
$150 |
$500 |
$800 |
$500 |
$400-800 |
$85 |
$600 |
$20 + $319 CEU costs |
Updated: January 2022
While I have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this accredited personal training certification comparison, please let me know if you think there are any mistakes. Organizations offer many similar programs and options. All of my information and cost estimates are based upon the base personal trainer certifications.
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