Kinesiology Degree Programs

Certification · National Strength and Conditioning Association

NSCA-CPT

NSCA Certified Personal Trainer

No degree required. Useful as the credential a kinesiology student can hold while still enrolled, which is how the clinical hours other certifications ask for get accumulated.

  • Type Certification
  • Degree None required
  • Exam fee $300 member
Taylor Rupe, Founder & Editor

Edited by Taylor Rupe B.A. Psychology (UW-Seattle), B.S. Computer Science (Oregon State)

A fitness trainer correcting a client's form partway through a dumbbell set in a gym
Photograph by Abdelilah Hibat Allah on Pexels

What the NSCA-CPT Is

The NSCA-CPT is the NSCA Certified Personal Trainer credential, awarded by National Strength and Conditioning Association. It carries no degree requirement, which makes it the usual first credential in this field.

It matters most if you are heading for work as a fitness trainer, where the BLS median is $47,160 a year. The credential does not set your pay. It decides which employers will consider you.

Is the NSCA-CPT Required?

Not a license. Personal training is unlicensed in every state; gyms set the requirement, not governments.

Certification and licensure get used interchangeably in this field and they are not the same thing. A license is granted by a state and is legally required to practice. A certification is granted by a professional body and is required by whoever is hiring. The practical effect can be identical, but only one of them carries legal weight, and knowing which you are dealing with tells you who to ask when the rules are unclear.

NSCA-CPT Eligibility Requirements

Read off National Strength and Conditioning Association’s own page on July 26, 2026. Requirements change, so confirm with the issuing body before you pay anything.

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Current CPR/AED certification

How Much Does the NSCA-CPT Cost?

Issuing body
National Strength and Conditioning Association
Degree required
None required
Exam fee
$300 member · $435 non-member
Renewal cycle
Every 3 years

Membership pays for itself here. The member price is $135 lower than the non-member price, so joining National Strength and Conditioning Association before you register is usually cheaper than not, even counting the membership fee.

Of the 5 credentials covered on this site, this is the cheapest to sit. The full comparison is on the certifications overview.

Valid for three years, then recertify by earning continuing education units.

Where the NSCA-CPT Applies

Is the NSCA-CPT Worth It?

The arithmetic is easy at this price and with no degree requirement. It is the cheapest way to start working in the field, and the work itself is how people accumulate the supervised hours that the clinical credentials later demand. Treat it as a first step rather than a destination.

NSCA-CPT FAQ

What are the NSCA-CPT requirements?
Be at least 18 years old. Hold a high school diploma or equivalent. Current CPR/AED certification. Verified against National Strength and Conditioning Association on July 26, 2026.
How much does the NSCA-CPT exam cost?
$300 for National Strength and Conditioning Association members and $435 for non-members, a difference of $135.
Is the NSCA-CPT a license?
Not a license. Personal training is unlicensed in every state; gyms set the requirement, not governments.
Do you need a degree for the NSCA-CPT?
No. This credential has no degree requirement, which is what makes it the usual entry point into the field.
How often do you renew the NSCA-CPT?
Valid for three years, then recertify by earning continuing education units.
What can you earn with the NSCA-CPT?
The credential itself does not set pay. It supports work as a fitness trainer, where the BLS median is $47,160 a year. Holding a certification is generally a hiring requirement rather than a raise.

Source

Every figure on this page was read from National Strength and Conditioning Association’s own page for this credential on July 26, 2026. Fees and eligibility rules change, and the issuing body is the only authority on the current requirement, so check it before you pay anything.