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Free and low-cost CEUs for personal trainers
Continuing-education sources that are free or low cost, and which certifications the provider says they count toward. Credit amounts come from each provider's page as listed; confirm with your own certifying organization before you rely on a course.
Free and low-cost sources
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Source | Cost | Credit (as listed) |
|---|---|---|
| ACE IFT Model: Program Design for Every Client ↗ | Free | ACE 0.1 CEC (1 hr), NASM 0.1 CEU, AFAA 1.0 CEU, YMCA 1.0 |
| NFPT free CEC self-tests / Trainer Refresher ↗ | Free | NFPT CECs (covers NFPT renewal requirement) |
| NSCA complimentary member CEU quizzes (up to 12/yr) ↗ | Free with NSCA membership | NSCA CEUs (CSCS, NSCA-CPT) |
| NASM free mini course: How to Train Youth Athletes ↗ | Free | NASM CEU amount not shown on page (third-party summary claims credit) — verify |
| NASM Connected Course Library ↗ | Included with eligible NASM membership | NASM CEUs |
| ACE Certified magazine quizzes ↗ | Low cost (price not captured) | ACE CECs |
| ISSA courses for renewal ↗ | Paid, but ISSA/NCCPT waive the renewal fee ($99/$75) if all CEUs are from ISSA | ISSA/NCCPT |
| CPR/AED certification ↗ | Varies | Counts toward NASM (0.1 CEU) and NCSF (2 CEUs); required by all |
Where a provider page didn't show the credit amount, the entry says so; one NASM entry is marked "verify" for that reason.
What each certification needs to renew
| Certification | Cycle | CEUs | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASM-CPTsource ↗ | Every 2 years | 2.0 CEUs (20 hrs) incl. 0.1 for CPR/AED | $99Fee waived with NASM One membership |
| ACE CPTsource ↗ | Every 2 years | 2.0 CECs (20 hrs) incl. ≥1 hr Professional Conduct & Ethics | $129Late: $169 (≤3 mo), $199 (≤6 mo) |
| ISSA CPT (NCCPT)source ↗ | Every 2 years | 2.0 CEUs (20 hrs) + current CPR/AED | $99ISSA $99, waived if all CEUs via ISSA; NCCPT renewal $75 (one cert) |
| NSCA-CPTsource ↗ | Every 3 years | 6.0 CEUs per cycle (2024–2026 cycle ends Dec 31, 2026) | $90$65 member / $90 non-member per credential |
| CSCSsource ↗ | Every 3 years | 6.0 CEUs per cycle | $90$65 member / $90 non-member per credential |
| ACSM-EPsource ↗ | Every 3 years | 60 CECs + current CPR/AED | $70Grace period 6 months with $80 late fee |
| NCSF CPTsource ↗ | Every 2 years | 10 CEUs incl. 2 for CPR and 1 ethics | $85$100 for two or more credentials |
| NFPT CPTsource ↗ | Every year | 2.0 CECs per year from year two; from Jan 1, 2027 moves to 2-year cycle with 4.0 CECs | $85$85/year; NFPT says its CECs are free |
| AFAA PFTsource ↗ | Every 2 years | 15 CEUs (1.5) incl. 2 hrs AFAA education + CPR/AED | $99$50 late fee; 'Recertify for Life' $299 one-time |
| NESTA PFTsource ↗ | Every 4 years | 4.0 CEUs (40 hrs) | $149Only 4-year NCCA PT cert per NESTA; $25 per 30 days late; retest after 90 days late |
More certification guides
Compare certifications · NASM vs ACE · NASM vs ISSA · NSCA-CPT vs CSCS · Free and low-cost CEUs · NSCA deadline Dec 31, 2026