NSCA Certification
this article was originally published here: http://personaltrainingcertificationusa.com/nsca-certification/
The NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) was the first organization to achieve NCCA accreditation before everybody else. Still today the NSCA CPT is one of the most comprehensive certifications you can get and is widely recognized in all of the US.
What’s so great about the NSCA Personal Training Certification and if it is the right certification for you we will find out now…
The NSCA Personal Trainer Certificate (CPT):
Are There Requirements?
All candidates have to meet the following requirements to be able to take the NSCA Certification exam:
- You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Current CPR and AED certification is also a requirement.
If you do not have current CPR and AED certification, you can still register for and take the NSCA-CPT exam. The NSCA Certification will accept any adult CPR and AED certification obtained by attending a CPR and AED course that meets the following criteria:
- Must have a hands-on training component (certification through a course completed entirely online will not be accepted)
- Must include a skills performance evaluation
The exam scores will not be released until you have submitted valid documentation of successful CPR and AED certification to the NSCA…
What Will You be Able To Do With Your NSCA Certification?
- Personal trainers are health/fitness professionals who, using an individualized approach, assess, motivate, educate and train clients regarding their health and fitness needs.
- They design safe and effective exercise programs, provide the guidance to help clients achieve their personal health/fitness goals and respond appropriately in emergency situations.
- Recognizing their own area of expertise, personal trainers refer clients to other health care professionals when appropriate.
How Much Does The NSCA Certification Cost?
The NSCA offers two exam variants, one pencil & paper exam and a computer based exam. The difference is simply that with the computer based exam you type the answers in a computer while with the pen & paper exam you write them down. Also the computer based exam has different terms than the pen & paper exam.
For example the Transfer Policy is different (only 1 transfer allowed), recommended is to take the pen & paper exam as it generally has the better terms.
Plus the computer exam can also not be taken from home if that is what you think, this is against NCCA policy, all computer based tests have to be taken in assessment centers.
The Pen & Paper Exam Cost:
- NSCA Members Early Registration Deadline:
- Registration fee: $235
- Retake fee: $185
- NSCA Members Registration Cutoff:
- Registration fee: $270
- Retake fee: $220
- Non-Members Early Registration Deadline:
- Registration fee: $370
- Retake fee: $320
- Non-Members Registration Cutoff:
- Registration fee: $405
- Retake fee: $355
The Computer Based Exam Cost:
- NSCA Members:
- Registration fee: $285
- Retake fee: $235
- Non-Members:
- Registration fee: $420
- Retake fee: $370
To pass either exam you will have to complete a 3 hour test and a total of 150 questions. The 150 questions are structured as follows:
- Client Consultation/Assessment 23%:
- Program Planning 32%:
- Techniques of Exercise 32%:
- Safety, Emergency Procedures and Legal Issues 13%:
- Nonscored Questions:
- Total 100%:
- 32 questions
- 45 questions
- 45 questions
- 18 questions
- 10 questions
- 150 questions
Helpful Resources & Study Material:
You can buy all kinds of study material directly from the NSCA, recommended are the packs that prepare you for the kind of exam you are going to take (i.e computer based or pen & paper).
- NSCA Study Material
And here is a guideline in what order you should complete which steps to successfully prepare yourself for the CPT exam:
- Exam prep suggestions
Conclusion:
The NSCA exam is known to produce very competent and professional trainers, so you should really not worry about finding a job if you are NSCA certified. There really isn’t anything negative to say about the NSCA, it is definitely recommended along with NASM and ACSM.
Continue now with the ACSM review:
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