Earning Your Credential
To earn your Certified Personal Trainer certification, the only requirement is passing the NASM-CPT examination. Please be advised that the exam expires 180 days from the date of your purchase of the program. Be prepared to provide proof of a valid CPR/AED certification at the time of your test. Do not procrastinate and make sure you complete your CPR/AED certification well ahead of time.
Below are instructions for registering for your NASM-CPT examination. Depending on which option you selected at the time of purchase, your NASM-CPT examination will either be live remote proctoring or in-person proctoring.
Step 1: Print and Review
- Please review the NASM Certification Candidate Handbook for information regarding testing procedures.
Step 2: Register
To schedule your exam online, navigate back to your NASM | AFAA Student portal.
- Navigate to the “Proctored Exams” section of your student portal.
- Within the Unscheduled Tab, locate your CPT7 Exam and click the “Schedule” button. This will take you to the PSI Scheduling platform.
- Within the scheduling process, you will be able to:
- Select your preferred Exam Delivery Mode of Test Center (in-person) or Remote Online Proctored.
- Choose the date, time, and location (if applicable) for your exam appointment
- After successfully booking your exam appointment, you will receive a Confirmation Email from PSI with the appointment details.
To modify an existing appointment online, navigate back to your NASM | AFAA Student portal.
- Navigate to the “Proctored Exams” section of your student portal.
- Within the Scheduled tab, choose the exam appointment you wish to modify and click the “Modify” Button.
- You will be redirected to the PSI Scheduling platform where you will be able to make the necessary changes. Note: If you are rescheduling your exam, you will be required to schedule your new desired exam appointment at least 24 hours in advance.
- After successfully rescheduling or cancelling your exam appointment, you will receive a Confirmation Email with the details of the change.
Test Centers outside of the United States: If the country in which you are looking to schedule your in-person exam is unavailable for registration online, please contact NASM Member Services at 800-460-6276 option 3 for assistance. Please note this process can take between 4-6 weeks.
Step 3: What You Need
- At the time of your test, you will be required to show proof of a valid, current, government-issued photo ID and current, valid Emergency Cardiac Care (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification.*
*CPR/AED certifications are accepted from the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, American Safety and Health Institute, St. John Ambulance, Emergency Care & Safety Institute or Emergency Medical Technician. Before taking your CPR/AED from another provider, please contact NASM.
Final Exam Information:
- Passing Score: 70 (scaled score) or better
- Format: Computer-based
- Questions: 120 multiple-choice
- Time Limit: 2 hours
- Exam Expiration: 180 days from date of purchase
- Earning a CPR/AED certification is required prior to taking the NASM-CPT examination.
- Section 1. Professional Development and Responsibility (Chapters 1 and 2)
- 10% of the CPT exam
- Section 2. Client Relations and Behavioral Coaching (Chapters 3 and 4)
- 15% of the CPT exam
- Section 3. Basic and Applied Sciences and Nutritional Concepts (Chapters 5 to 10)
- 15% of the CPT exam
- Section 4. Assessment (Chapters 11 and 12)
- 16% of the CPT exam
- Section 5. Exercise Technique and Training Instruction (Chapters 13-20)
- 24% of the CPT exam
- Section 6. Program Design (Chapters 21-23)
- 20% of the CPT exam
Refer to the NASM Certification Candidate Handbook for more detailed information.