Best Personal Trainer Certification Programs

The NCCA-accredited NASM program is a 10-week course that helps new trainers connect with seasoned educators to jumpstart their personal training careers.

The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) sets new trainers up for success with its support both during and after the class, and assistance in finding a job.

NASM offers different tiers and programs at different price points. The self-study program could be a good option for those who already have experience and are looking to continue their education and get formally certified without needing a ton of background knowledge.

The most popular option “Guided Study” is great for beginners as it offers one-on-one coaching and a mentor who acts as your guide for all parts of the process. Some packages also include a “Gymnternship” which “places newly certified professionals in a gym setting for an eight-week internship in which they will complete assignments and assist trainers [to] get adapted to the work they will be doing once they are in the field on their own,” according to a spokesperson for NASM.

The course is designed to be entertaining with graphics and videos; it’s also updated regularly to reflect “accurate and up-to-date science” per the website.

Note: To be eligible to take the NASM Personal Trainer Certification Exam, you must have a high school degree or GED, hold a current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification, hold an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification. This is true for all NCCA-accredited programs and the additional certifications must be secured before taking the exam but not necessarily before beginning the course.

To earn this certification, you must pass the NCCA-accredited personal trainer certification exam, which must be proctored by a person. However, you can test online with a live remote proctor or onsite (not all certifications allow for online testing). You will need to earn 2.0 Continuing Education Units (20 contact hours) every two years to keep your certification.

International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) provides trainers with a wealth of professional support, including a free professional website and help to secure a job.

The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) is known for providing its students with plenty of professional support. Notably, you’ll receive a free, professionally developed website which is helpful for showcasing skills and finding a job. If you apply and interview with at least three gyms in the six months after completing your certification and still have not found a job, you can fill out a form and within six months ISSA will place you in a job or otherwise give you a full refund. The program also offers lifetime support from professionals.

ISSA is a self-paced class that can be completed as slowly or quickly as your schedule allows; typically someone who does one hour of work per day will finish in 10 weeks. ISSA stands apart by giving its students unlimited exam time which can be helpful if you’re a slower test taker. The test is also an open book which can be incredibly helpful for people who struggle with memorization; however, some employers think ISSA is an easy test, so, in some cases, the certification may not be taken as seriously as others.

ISSA is accredited by the NCCA and the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), and it has been operating for 35 years with over 475,000 students in 174 countries. The program is affiliated with several well-regarded organizations including International Health, Racquet & Sports Club Association (IHRSA), and New York Chiropractic College.

The Action Certification program certifies a large number of individuals and at an affordable price.

Action Certification prepares students for the CPT certification through online video classes and real-world simulations, which is likely what helps keep it so budget-friendly. All learning takes place on the app (available for Android and iOS), and the curriculum gets you ready to work with individuals or in group settings using video lessons and practice exams.

The company has three pricing tiers which start at $99 and go up to $249. Each course option comes with a physical textbook and digital certification badge. The mid and top tier have other helpful add-ons including a Kindle textbook, a professionally written business plan, and a job reference letter plus free recertification (top tier only).

Throughout the course, you’ll gain the skills to train, educate, and motivate clients in a safe and effective way. It takes about two months to study and complete the course, though there are no time limits on how long you need to spend on the material.

You can choose to take the exam online, though this exam is not accredited and gives you a “certificate in personal training.” Keep in mind that this certificate is not NCCA-accredited and may not be recognized by certain gyms. It’s best to go with the accredited, proctored ACTION-CPT exam for job-seeking purposes, but the company notes that some people use the online exam as a warmup for the certification exam. With successful completion of the accredited exam, you’ll earn the title of ACTION-Certified Personal Trainer.

To take the ACTION-CPT exam you’ll need to pay an additional $99 and visit a Prometric test site.

The ACE certification is widely respected and recognized by gyms and fitness organizations worldwide.

American Council on Exercise (ACE) is a widely recognized, accredited nonprofit institute and certification program that trains health coaches and exercise professionals using an evidence-based approach. ACE’s Personal Trainer Study Program is online and self-paced; most students will complete the program and exam in three to six months, or in approximately 80–100 hours.

ACE is currently the largest certifier of health professionals and all ACE programs are rooted in scientific research and functional movement training. Its ACE exams are available in numerous specialties including personal trainer, group fitness instructor, health coach, medical exercise specialist, and more. However, it’s best to get a personal training certification before starting a specialization program—most gyms and fitness studios will want to see the basic certification.

Designed with several learning styles in mind, the course includes a textbook along with video explainers, audio, graphics, interactive activities, and more. There are also live webinars, study groups, and Q&A sessions for those who learn best through conversation and interaction.

You will need to recertify every two years with ACE; employers may also want to see continuing education credits (CECs). The ACE job board is another helpful resource for connecting exercise professionals with employment opportunities; you will have access to the board even after you complete the course (it is currently open to the public).

The National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) is a leader in education and training. While there are different pricing tiers, whichever NCSF program you choose includes digital flashcards, videos, review quizzes, and instructor support, which is helpful for beginners to learn and ask questions.

The National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) is a challenging and rewarding course that improves your critical thinking, client communication, and training skills, making it the best option for academics. 

This certification is good for people who want to work in a gym or health club or start their own business. The certification is recognized in over 160 countries and has educated over 300,000 individuals; there are also more than 8,000 exam centers worldwide which makes it easy to find a place to take the exam.

After passing the exam, your certification should arrive in the mail within two weeks, so you can start working quickly. On average, students should expect to study and prepare for two to four months before the exam. There is also an option to keep building your education by becoming a master trainer, sports coach, or certified in sports nutrition. The NCSF has partnerships with well-regarded gyms and health clubs like 24 Hour Fitness, Gold’s Gym, and Equinox which helps set beginners up for success in finding a job.

There are several pricing tiers to choose from; each includes both a physical and digital textbook, study materials, review quizzes, instructor support, and the exam. The top two most robust options offer continuing education units (CEUs) that help students meet ethics requirements.

NESTA is the only certification on this list that’s good for up to four years (most require recertification after two years), making it a great choice for trainers-to-be who are looking for an affordable, long-lasting certificate.

Since the National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) recertification takes place every four years, it’s a great option for people who don’t enjoy testing or who live in a more remote area which makes visiting a testing center tricky.

The NESTA program is thorough but still affordable; it covers exercise physiology, kinesiology and anatomy, biomechanics, nutrition, client assessments, exercise program design, injuries and safety, psychology and behavior, and professional responsibilities. NESTA is also one of few personal training programs to integrate technology into its curriculum including heart rate tracking and digital exercise logging. And, there’s a kit included that teaches key business components including marketing, sales, networking, social media, and online coaching that will help set you up for success in all areas.

To get certified, you must take the proctored test at a PSI testing location which is available worldwide. Certification must happen within 90 days of requesting your exam eligibility ID, so make sure you're prepared to test in that time frame. You also need to show your CPR certification card.

The National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) stands out for providing both fee-based and free continued education for certified personal trainers long after the program is completed.

Regardless of the certification program you choose, all personal trainers must accumulate continuing education credits (CECs) both to maintain their certifications and stay up to date with industry knowledge. These credits often cost money, but through the National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT), you can receive them free for a lifetime.

There are three class tiers to choose from. The least expensive ($379) is the CPT exam (no course materials); the middle tier ($499) includes learning materials but not videos; and the top or “premier” tier ($1299) includes all learning materials, plus videos, practice tests, access to NFPT expert trainers, and more.

The course takes into account how the exam breaks down each topic. For example, 33% of the exam is training program development, implementation, and modification—and this is reflected in how the curriculum breaks down.

In addition to the course prep, NFPT throws in some helpful freebies like a trainer guide which covers topics like expected daily routine, income potential, career options, and more.