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NASM-CPT vs ISSA CPT (NCCPT): which fits whom
Both have an NCCA-accredited path: the NASM-CPT exam, and for ISSA the NCCPT-CPT exam (ISSA's own open-book final isn't accredited). NASM's cheapest listed package is $999 with the exam included; ISSA's is $868 plus a $79 Prometric fee. ISSA may fit someone who wants business extras in the package (a trainer website, client forms and career help) and a 0% plan; NASM may fit someone who wants the exam included in every package Both renew every 2 years for $99: NASM waives the fee with NASM One membership, ISSA when all CEUs come from ISSA.
Side by side
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| NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT) | ISSA Certified Personal Trainer (accredited path: NCCPT-CPT) | |
|---|---|---|
| NCCA status | Yes | Yes |
| Cheapest price | $999CPT Self-Study (includes NCCA exam) | $868Certified Personal Trainer, paid in full (+$79 Prometric proctor fee for the NCCA exam = $947) |
| Typical price | $1,399CPT Premium Self-Study (includes 1 retest + job guarantee) | $1,300Elite Trainer (4 certs) paid in full |
| Exam fee | Included in all packages; exam-only purchase available (price not captured) | $79Prometric delivery fee on top of course price |
| Retake fee | $199Retest included in Premium Self-Study and All-Inclusive; waits: 1 week, then 30 days, then 1 year. | $99NCCPT: max 3 attempts in 12 months |
| Format | 120 multiple-choice questions (100 scored + 20 pretest), 2 hours, closed-book, scaled score 70 to pass, must test within 180 days of purchaseProctored; in person or online | 2 hours, closed-book, timedProctored; online or Prometric test center |
| Pass rate | 84% (2025)22,767 candidates, 19,338 passed (NASM-published data sheet) | 72.65% (2022)NCCPT-published 2022 statistical report; no newer report found |
| Prerequisites | High school diploma or equivalent + current CPR/AED (NASM FAQ) | CPR/AED required for the job guarantee ($49 add-on with CPT alone); other exam eligibility not captured |
| Recertification | Every 2 years2.0 CEUs (20 hrs) incl. 0.1 for CPR/AEDFee: $99 · Fee waived with NASM One membership | Every 2 years2.0 CEUs (20 hrs) + current CPR/AEDFee: $99 · ISSA $99, waived if all CEUs via ISSA; NCCPT renewal $75 (one cert) |
| Sources | Prices checked Nov 2, 20261 2 3 4 5 6 7 | Prices checked Nov 2, 20261 2 3 4 5 |
Prices checked Nov 2, 2026 on each organization's pages, in USD. Pass rates come from different exams and candidate pools, so they don't measure quality. "Not listed" means the figure wasn't published or wasn't captured.
Notes from the sources
- NASM-CPT: NASM-CPT exam is NCCA-accredited. NASM also sells an unaccredited open-book 'CPT' certificate exam; the job guarantee and Gymternship require the accredited exam. NASM FAQ says it 'regularly runs promotional pricing'; All-Inclusive page shows 'OVER 25% OFF / Exclusive Offer'. Prices checked by NASM blog 2026-10-15.
- ISSA CPT (NCCPT): Only the NCCPT-CPT exam (ISSA subsidiary) is NCCA-accredited. ISSA's own open-book online final exam is non-accredited. Pages show '$1,068 Save $200'. Exam-only NCCPT: $599 + $79.
FAQ
What does it cost to get NASM-CPT or ISSA CPT (NCCPT)?
NASM-CPT: cheapest listed $999 (CPT Self-Study (includes NCCA exam)); typical $1,399 (CPT Premium Self-Study (includes 1 retest + job guarantee)). ISSA CPT (NCCPT): cheapest listed $868 (Certified Personal Trainer, paid in full (+$79 Prometric proctor fee for the NCCA exam = $947)); typical $1,300 (Elite Trainer (4 certs) paid in full). Prices checked Nov 2, 2026.
How do the NASM-CPT and ISSA CPT (NCCPT) exams compare?
NASM-CPT: 120 multiple-choice questions (100 scored + 20 pretest), 2 hours, closed-book, scaled score 70 to pass, must test within 180 days of purchase; Proctored; in person or online. ISSA CPT (NCCPT): 2 hours, closed-book, timed; Proctored; online or Prometric test center. Published pass rates: NASM-CPT 84% (2025), ISSA CPT (NCCPT) 72.65% (2022).
What are the prerequisites for NASM-CPT and ISSA CPT (NCCPT)?
NASM-CPT: High school diploma or equivalent + current CPR/AED (NASM FAQ). ISSA CPT (NCCPT): CPR/AED required for the job guarantee ($49 add-on with CPT alone); other exam eligibility not captured.
How do you keep NASM-CPT and ISSA CPT (NCCPT) current?
NASM-CPT: every 2 years, 2.0 CEUs (20 hrs) incl. 0.1 for CPR/AED, fee $99 (Fee waived with NASM One membership). ISSA CPT (NCCPT): every 2 years, 2.0 CEUs (20 hrs) + current CPR/AED, fee $99 (ISSA $99, waived if all CEUs via ISSA; NCCPT renewal $75 (one cert)).
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
Sources
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT)
- https://www.nasm.org/resource-center/blog/certification/nasm-vs-ace-cost
- https://www.nasm.org/products/cpt-all-inclusive-program
- https://www.nasm.org/nasm-faqs
- https://www.nasm.org/certified-personal-trainer-exam-info
- https://support.nasm.org/nasm-administrative-fees
- https://2494739.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2494739/NASM-CPT%20Exam%20Data%20Statistics%202020-2025.pdf
- https://www.nasm.org/certified-personal-trainer-renewal
- ISSA Certified Personal Trainer (accredited path: NCCPT-CPT)
Plain HTTP fetch of each organization's pages + PDFs (pdftotext); web search where pages blocked (NSCA returned 403 to plain fetch, so NSCA facts come from search extracts of nsca.com pages).