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IPTA (International Personal Trainer Academy) is the cheapest of the major NCCA accredited personal trainer certifications. Its base package includes the exam, the digital textbook, interactive study guide, exam simulator and flashcards. Average study time is also the shortest the shortest of the seven. The MVP Package adds free unlimited retakes, a free first recertification, CPR/AED certification, a free trainer website, Trainer Stack business courses, the Meso coaching app, the Job Assurance Guarantee and a second free certification of your choice. All these features together make it my top choice.
The catch with cheap certifications is that the sales-page price is often not what you actually pay. For instance, ACE sells its accredited exam as a $99 add-on, ACSM’s exam fee buys no textbooks, and ISSA lists a $79 test delivery fee separately.
So I did the math on seven NCCA accredited certifications to see which certification is actually the cheapest.
If you are still deciding which one fits your goals, take this quiz.
The 7 Cheapest NCCA Accredited Certifications Compared
Below are updated prices for the NCCA accredited route with study material. I explain how I priced each one further down.
| Certification | Entry price with study material | Retake | First renewal | First-cycle total | Average study time | PTP Value Rating | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPTA | $399 Rookie, $799 MVP | Free and unlimited on MVP ($199 on Rookie) | First renewal free on MVP, otherwise $99 every 2 years, 24 CEUs | $799 for MVP with retakes and first renewal included ($697 for Rookie) | 4 to 8 weeks | 9.1 | Learn More |
| ISSA | $947 ($868 plus $79 Prometric test delivery fee, which ISSA lists as separate) | $99 | $99 every 2 years, waived if all CEUs are earned through ISSA | $1,145 | in as little as 3 months | 7.1 | Learn More |
| NCSF | $449 (list $899) | $99 in the US and Canada ($299 elsewhere) | $85 every 2 years | $633 | 2 to 3 months | 6.7 | Learn More |
| ACE | $593.50 (Basic $494.50 plus $99 NCCA exam, in no package) | $249 | $129 every 2 years | $971.50 | 3 to 6 months | 5.6 | Learn More |
| NASM | $999 Self-Study | $199 (one retest included from Premium Self-Study up) | $99 every 2 years | $1,297 | 2 to 3 months | 5.1 | Learn More |
| ACSM | $565 (exam $410 non-member plus two textbooks $155) | $205 | $60 every 3 years | $830 | Not published | 3.5 | Learn More |
| NSCA | $781 non-member (exam $435 plus CPT Essential Collection $346) | $435 | $35 to $90 every 3 years | $1,251 to $1,306 | No figure found | 1.9 | Learn More |
IPTA has the lowest entry price with study material at $399, although NCSF has the lowest first-cycle total of the seven at $633. IPTA’s $799 MVP is my best-value pick, because that one price already covers free unlimited retakes, the first renewal and the bonuses. IPTA’s 4 to 8 week average is also the shortest study time of the seven where a figure is available.
Why I’m Qualified to Rank These Certifications
Hi, I’m Tyler Read. With over 15 years as a personal trainer, both in-person and online, and a B.S. in Kinesiology, I’ve helped thousands of trainers choose the right certification and pass their CPT exams. This comparison is based on my firsthand experience with each certification and exam.
This article just covers CPT certifications, but if you want the greatest value, I’d look into combining personal training along with nutrition and other certifications. Bundling 2 or 3 certifications together usually brings the cost per certification down.
For instance, IPTA’s Bundle Builder lets you put together multiple certifications, and the cost goes down with each step up. You could also look at the IPTA BOGO (2 Certs), ISSA Elite Trainer (3 certs), or NASM’s BOGO deal (2 certs).
How I Priced These Certifications
I priced only the NCCA accredited exam with study material, using non-member prices from each organization’s own site and I show the list price where a sale was framed.
ISSA, ACE and NASM also sell exams that are not NCCA accredited, so check which exam a package includes. Where the accredited exam, the study material or a delivery fee is sold separately, I added it to the entry price so the totals compare fairly: ACE’s $99 NCCA exam, ACSM’s two textbooks ($155), NSCA’s CPT Essential Collection ($346) and ISSA’s $79 Prometric test delivery fee.
The first-cycle total is the entry price plus one retake plus the first renewal. That is what failing once and staying certified costs you.
Pass marks are not all percentages, either. NCSF’s 70 is a percentage, but NASM’s and NSCA’s 70 are scaled scores, so the two numbers do not compare directly.
The PTP Value Rating weighs five things:
- Study Packages Price (30%)
- Future Savings (25%)
- CPT Bonuses/Features (20%)
- Payment Option Flexibility (15%)
- Certification Bundles (10%)
Price is scored on each certification’s entry package, and future savings, bonuses and bundles on the best package each organization sells. I took and passed the exams for the certifications on this list.
For background on what NCCA accreditation means for hiring, see my guide to NCCA accredited certifications. For a broader look at quality beyond price, see the best personal trainer certification guide.
The 7 Cheapest Accredited Certifications, Reviewed
International Trainer Academy (IPTA) Certification
IPTA Personal Training Certification
- Entry price: $399 Rookie, $799 MVP
- Study materials: Digital textbook in online reader, interactive study guide, exam simulator, flashcards, plus MVP tools below
- Exam format: 125 questions (110 scored), 3 hours, online with a live remote proctor, scaled 600 on a 200 to 800 scale
- Exam pass rate: 75%
- Retake fee: Free and unlimited on MVP ($199 on Rookie)
- Recertification: First renewal free on MVP, because one continuing education course of your choice from a catalog of over 100 supplies the CEUs. Otherwise it is $99 every 2 years with 24 CEUs
- Average study time: 4 to 8 weeks
- Best price with many free perks
- Free textbook & trial to test it out
- Quick to complete and 100% online
- No Live Classes
- Newer, so less name recognition
I rank IPTA first because it nails the three things that matter most when you are paying out of pocket:
- It has the lowest entry price of the seven with study material at $399.
- It is the best value at $799 on the MVP tier which includes more free extras than any other certification on this list.
- It has the shortest average study time on this list at 4 to 8 weeks, going by each organization’s own figure.
The speed comes from the study tools. The exam simulator and flashcards are built into Rookie at $399. On MVP you also get SurePass AI readiness prediction, weak point training, tailored study plans and the AI tutor to focus your time.
IPTA is newer, so it has less name recognition, but it holds the same NCCA accreditation as NASM and ACE. I suggest checking with the gym you want to work at.
IPTA Price
IPTA has simplified to two packages, which makes the choice easy. The Rookie package at $399 is the one in the table above, and unlike several options on this list it includes the exam, the digital textbook in the online reader, the interactive study guide, the exam simulator with over 800 questions and the flashcard system.
The MVP package is $799 and is where the extras sit. It adds the advanced study tools:
- Audio study guide
- SurePass AI readiness prediction
- Performance reporting
- Weak point training
- Tailored study plans
- Study streaks/gamification
- Magic mnemonics
- Exam date tracker
- Essential cheat sheet
- AI tutor
MVP also comes with these bonuses:
- Free unlimited exam retakes. If you fail your first attempt, it costs you nothing but time. A retake is $199 on Rookie, and the other six charge $99 to $435.
- Free first recertification. You pick one continuing education course of your choice from over 100, and that course supplies your CEUs, so your first renewal costs nothing. After that it is $99 every 2 years.
- CPR/AED certification. Every trainer needs a current CPR/AED card, and MVP includes the online course with a two-year card (a $99 value).
- Free trainer website, kept for life. You get a place to market your services from day one without paying for a site.
- Trainer Stack’s eight business courses. They include Business Foundations for Personal Trainers, Client Acquisition System I: Getting Seen, and AI Automation for Coaching Businesses, so you also learn how to find clients.
- Meso Core for two years. Meso is an all-in-one app for trainers and nutrition coaches, with unlimited clients at one flat price, AI that drafts programs from a client’s logged history, nutrition and macro tracking with barcode scan, and your own branding.
- The Job Assurance Guarantee. Finding a first job as a brand-new trainer can be daunting, and it is nice to have a job assurance guarantee.
- A second certification of your choice. IPTA’s buy-one-get-one is currently built into MVP, so $799 also gets you a second certification.
Payment plan: The MVP package can be split into $49 up front and 11 monthly payments of $89. That totals $1,028 against $799 paid at once, so paying $799 once saves $229. The plan is 0% interest, with no credit check and 100% approval. Rookie has no plan.
The IPTA exam is 125 multiple choice questions with 110 scored plus 15 unscored, 3 hours, online with a live remote proctor, and the pass mark is scaled 600 on a 200 to 800 scale. Recertification is every 2 years with 24 CEUs.
IPTA Value
IPTA earns its place on value and price. Here’s why IPTA scores 9.1 out of 10 on our PTP Value Rating scale, the highest on this list:
- Free Textbook: IPTA gives you free online textbooks available upon trial registration, with no payment info required, while ACSM and NSCA sell their study material separately from the exam.
- Future Savings and Bonuses on MVP: Free retakes and a free first recertification mean you pay nothing on top of $799 until your second renewal, and the bonuses above come in the same package.
- Payment Flexibility: MVP has a 0% interest plan with no credit check, but Rookie has no plan at all, which makes this IPTA’s lowest score.
- Certification Bundles: Essential Trainer is $799 for 2 certs ($400 each), Elite Trainer is $999 for 4 ($250 each), and Master Trainer is $1,199 for all 6 ($200 each). Only the CPT is NCCA accredited.
International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) Certification
ISSA Personal Training Certification
- Entry price: $947 accredited path ($868 plus $79 Prometric test delivery fee)
- Study materials: The ISSA CPT course (both exams included, see below)
- Exam format: NCCPT CPT, 125 questions, 2 hours, scaled 550 of 800, proctored
- Exam pass rate: 75%
- Retake fee: $99 for the NCCPT accredited exam
- Recertification: $99 every 2 years, waived if all CEUs are earned through ISSA
- Average study time: In as little as 3 months
Best business skills coverage
Excellent resistance technique
Good value with combo deals
High price for single certification
Lacks best behavioral coaching content
ISSA is second on value because you get a lot for the money when you think beyond one cert. The accredited entry with study material is $947, and the Elite Trainer bundle through PT Pioneer’s link brings the per cert cost down fast.
ISSA, or the International Sports Sciences Association, is a massively popular certifying agency.
ISSA sells its own open-book, untimed exam which is not NCCA accredited. Its accredited exam is the proctored NCCPT exam, which is NCCA accredited. Both are included when you buy ISSA, but if an employer requires NCCA accreditation make sure you are taking the NCCPT exam.
In terms of exam difficulty, ISSA’s open-book final test is a lot easier than the NCCA accredited certification exam.
ISSA Price
The ISSA CPT is $868 if you pay in full (ISSA says you save $200 that way) and $1,068 regular. ISSA’s own page lists a $79 test delivery fee paid to Prometric as separate and not an ISSA charge. For the accredited route that makes the real entry price $947 with study material.
Paying over 12 monthly payments totals $1,068, which is $200 more than paying $868 once, with two options of $89 today plus 11 months at $89 or $1 today plus 11 months at $97.
Exclusive PTP CPT Offers |
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|---|---|---|
Best Overall Cert | Best Online Cert | Best Study Materials |
Gold Standard Cert | A Good Option | Best CPT for you?  |
Through PT Pioneer’s link the ISSA Elite Trainer bundle is $963 and includes the ISSA CPT, the nutrition coach certification course and the strength and conditioning course.
With three credentials, you have the flexibility to be able to provide more value to your clients.
ISSA Value
Value-wise, ISSA scores well in my book. It may look like a lot to pay $947 for one certification, but, if you go for the multiple certs together in the long run, you are going to benefit greatly from the knowledge and prestige of having a nutrition certification and a specialization to help you stand out in the crowded fitness marketplace.
Check out my full ISSA Certification review here for an in-depth look on the skills, knowledge, and concepts learned in this program. ISSA gives you solid weight training program design concepts, anatomy and physiology, and special population information.
National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) Certification
NCSF Personal Training Certification
- Entry price: $449 (list $899)
- Study materials: CPT e-learning platform, digital textbook, instructional videos, lesson notes, questions and answers, flash cards, review quizzes, instructor support, one-year membership
- Exam format: 150 questions, 3 hours, 70 percent
- Exam pass rate: 69%
- Retake fee: $99 in the US and Canada ($299 elsewhere)
- Recertification: $85 every 2 years, 10 CEUs
- Average study time: 2 to 3 months
Great value
Up-to-date and easy-to-read textbook
There are no major gaps in the content
Not as well known as NASM and ISSA
Less coverage of business skills
NCSF is a strong third. Its $449 entry price is second only to IPTA’s $399, and its first-cycle total of $633 is the lowest of the seven, below IPTA Rookie’s $697.
The National Council on Strength and Fitness is one of the lesser-known program providers from a mainstream perspective.
However, in the domain of the fitness industry, it is recognized as a high-quality performance-centric institute.
NCSF Price
You can buy the most inexpensive NCSF package for $449 on sale, regularly $899.
That CPT package includes the NCCA accredited exam, digital textbook, instructional videos, lesson notes, questions and answers, digital flashcards, review quizzes, expert instructor support, one-year NCSF membership and payment plan option. There is no separate exam fee to add, so $449 is the real entry price.
NCSF also offers CPT plus Sport Nutrition Specialist at $749 regularly $1,499, CPT plus Certified Strength Coach at $749, and Master Trainer at $999 regularly $2,199 which includes CPT plus Sport Nutrition plus Certified Strength Coach plus CPR.
NCSF Value
While NCSF doesn’t have as much clout as NASM or ISSA, their textbook is quite good and there are no major gaps in the content. Less business coverage is the main trade-off.
The exam is 150 questions, 3 hours, 70% to pass, proctored. Retake is $99 in the US and Canada and $299 elsewhere. Recertification is $85 every 2 years with 10 CEUs which is 20 hours.
American Council on Exercise (ACE) Certification
ACE Personal Training Certification
- Entry price: $593.50 (Basic $494.50 plus $99 NCCA exam)
- Study materials: ACE University, practice test, digital Study Companion, digital textbook, ACE Answers basic access
- Exam format: 150 questions, 3 hours, 500 or greater on a scale of 800
- Exam pass rate: 69%
- Retake fee: $249
- Recertification: $129 every 2 years, 2.0 CECs
- Average study time: 3 to 6 months
Easy to use exercise framework with IFT® Model
Great online study system
Best behavioral coaching
Less detail about cardiovascular conditioning
More expensive than it used to be
Very little sales skills coverage
ACE sits in the middle because its entry price looks low until you add the accredited exam. The study system, the IFT Model and the behavioral coaching are excellent, but the accredited route starts at $593.50.
The American Council on Exercise is a stalwart in the fitness coach certification game.
Enjoying a relevance that puts it arguably just below my top 3, ACE’s name and reputation carry a value proposition that translates to one of the highest premiums in the certification market.
They are well known for their group fitness and health coach certifications.
ACE Price
ACE has some incredible study resources. As of October 22, 2026, its packages run from $494.50 for Basic (regularly $989) through $584.50 for Plus (regularly $1,169) to $874.50 for Advantage (regularly $1,749). Basic includes ACE University, certificate exam included which is open book, one practice test, digital Study Companion, digital textbook and ACE Answers basic access. Plus adds a second practice test, hard copy textbook and live Q&A webinars. Advantage adds two more practice tests for four total, audiobook and facilitated study groups.
I’ve included the $99 exam fee. ACE charges you to take the NCCA accredited exam separately, so even though their website states prices for packages, you’re going to want to add the exam as well. This makes ACE’s real accredited entry price $593.50 on Basic, $683.50 on Plus and $973.50 on Advantage.
The NCCA accredited exam is 3 hours and 150 questions, needs a scaled score of 500 or more out of 800, and is taken in person or with a live remote proctor. The certificate exam is 100 questions, open book, online, 3 hours, 70%.
Plus and Advantage can be split into $49 today plus 4 monthly payments, which totals $763.00 on Plus and $1,149.68 on Advantage, more than paying $584.50 or $874.50 once.
As with most other fitness trainer certifications, ACE regularly posts deals and discounts on the cost of ACE certification, so don’t forget to check their official CPT price listing for more information.
ACE Value
ACE does a great job on study quality. Their study programs are among the best. You should also read my full ACE CPT review for more insight.
In addition, ACE also sets the gold standard for excellence in the areas of behavioral coaching and exercise psychology, so if you’re interested in that area of concern, ACE might be the right option for you. ACE also teaches great communication skills for personal trainers.
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certification
NASM Personal Training Certification
- Entry price: $999 Self-Study
- Study materials: Digital textbook, videos, quizzes, practice exams, EDGE app
- Exam format: 120 questions (100 scored plus 20 unscored), 2 hours, scaled 70, proctored
- Exam pass rate: 66%
- Retake fee: $199, one retest included from Premium Self-Study up
- Recertification: $99 every 2 years, 2.0 CEUs
- Average study time: 2 to 3 months (NASM’s own figure: about 8 to 12 weeks on average, and some finish in four to six weeks)
Superb programming format with OPT Method
Great corrective exercise coverage
The most popular certification
Challenging exam
Not the best program for people who just study the textbook
NASM is the National Academy of Sports Medicine, an organization considered to be one of the most recognized names in health and fitness certifications and credentials.
NASM’s CPT is one of the most sought after in the PT job market, and personal trainers holding this cert range from group fitness instructors in some of the best gyms on the globe all the way to fitness entrepreneurs with their own personal training studios.
NASM Price
NASM’s packages have the most diverse variance in price, and CPT Exclusive at $1,482 is the most expensive single CPT package on this list. As of this year, the lineup is Self-Study at $999, Premium Self-Study at $1,243, CPT Essentials at $1,413 which includes the Certified Nutrition Coach program plus CPR/AED course, CPT Exclusive at $1,482, and Elite Trainer Bundle at $1,890 for four credentials. NASM also sells an exam-only option at $599.
Payment plans are three structures: $199 down plus 17 payments, $49 down plus 12, or 25% down plus 3. Totals are within a few dollars of paying once.
The exam is 120 questions with 100 scored plus 20 unscored, 2 hours, closed book, PSI proctored, scaled 70, with 180 days from purchase to test.
NASM Value
NASM is a well known organization and their study resources are among the best. The NASM CPT teaches the fundamentals of everything you need to know as a trainer.
They use their OPT model to give individuals a comprehensive framework to work with and cover the topics of corrective exercise and exercise technique instruction well.
Value-wise, you get a lot with some of the smaller packages like Self-Study, but once you start looking into the higher tier options, the price is a lot higher than I think you can justify for what you get.
In terms of the specializations I’d recommend, NASM is known for their Corrective Exercise Specialist, so you may want to consider that one as well to help prevent injuries in clients.
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certification
ACSM Personal Training Certification
- Entry price: $565 (exam $410 plus two textbooks $155)
- Study materials: Two textbooks, Resources for the Personal Trainer and Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, plus optional prep course
- Exam format: 135 items (120 scored), 150 minutes, scaled 550 of 800
- Exam pass rate: 61%
- Retake fee: $205
- Recertification: $60 every 3 years, 45 CECs. Along with NSCA, that is the lowest renewal cost per cycle of the seven
- Average study time: Not published
Great exercise physiology content
Respected organization
Longer recertification period
Little to know exercise programming
No exercise technique content
Textbook is outdated
ACSM is respected for exercise physiology and is solid if you can study on your own and just need the exam. With study material it is mid list on price, and it has no bonuses, payment plan or bundles.
ACSM is the American College of Sports Medicine.
ACSM’s complex pricing system includes different membership tiers that activate various discounts.
ACSM Price
If you just pay for the exam, it’ll cost you $410 as a non-member as of October 22, 2026 ($310 for members, membership not included), and that includes a $50 non-refundable application fee.
Realistically, with textbook fees and study resources, that number will be a few hundred dollars more. The Prep Bundle is $559 for non-members (regularly $939) and adds a prep course. The Prep Bundle + adds a practice test and is $609 for non-members (regularly $994). Neither includes the textbooks, which are Resources for the Personal Trainer at $92.12 and Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription at $62.53, for $155 together. That makes the real totals $565 for exam plus two textbooks, $714 for the Prep Bundle with books, and $764 for the Prep Bundle + with books.
Retake is $205 with 15 days after a failed attempt and up to four attempts in 12 months. Recertification is $60 every 3 years with 45 CECs.
The standard prices do fluctuate due to periodic deals and discounts, so make sure you know the current cost and don’t forget to check my full, comprehensive ACSM CPT review here.
ACSM Value
If you just want to take your chances and take a personal trainer exam from a well recognized organization, ACSM’s $410 exam-only route lets you do that without paying for extra coursework.
However, once you factor in study costs with the books you need to purchase, the total comes to $714 to $764 if you take the prep course approach.
I also am not a fan of some of the information in the ACSM textbook as I find it a bit dated, and you don’t get the best understanding of how to program workouts effectively. For this consideration, value wise, ACSM may not be the best option for fitness professionals.
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certification
NSCA Personal Training Certification
- Entry price: $781 non-member (exam $435 plus CPT Essential Collection $346)
- Study materials: Essentials of Personal Training textbook, quizzes, online practice test, NSCA PDF study guide
- Exam format: 155 questions (140 scored), 3 hours, scaled 70
- Exam pass rate: 66%
- Retake fee: $435, full fee again
- Recertification: $35 to $90 every 3 years, 6.0 CEUs. Along with ACSM, that is the lowest renewal cost per cycle of the seven
- Average study time: No figure found
Best certification for training athletes
Great CEU opportunities
Great certification if you just like studying the textbook
No study system
Book is long and overcomplicated
Doesn’t go into how to build a training business
I love NSCA for strength and conditioning and for its content depth. On value for money it lands last, because the $435 exam fee is separate from the study material and the retake and bundle picture leaves a lot to be desired.
NSCA is the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
It’s a certification provider I would consider a legacy institution owing to its long-running heritage and influence.
As the name suggests, NSCA is a strength and conditioning focused provider, meaning athletic performance and sports coaching programs are part of its fundamental offerings.
Because with NSCA’s education, you could potentially become a sports performance professional or sports coach, one of the most lucrative careers in fitness. The NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA CSCS) is their most popular certification outside of personal training.
NSCA Price
The NSCA exam costs $435 non-member and $300 member, and their study packages cost $346 non-member and $273 member for the Essential Collection which includes textbook, quizzes, online practice test and PDF study guide, up to $585 non-member and $480 member for the Platinum Collection which adds the Exercise Technique Manual. Membership is $130 for a Professional Membership.
This means you spend $781 non-member for exam plus Essential Collection and up to $1,020 for exam plus Platinum in order to obtain one of the most comprehensive CPTs out there. The member route is $703 including the $130 membership.
NSCA’s site could not be loaded on October 22, 2026, so these NSCA prices come from PT Pioneer’s September and early October 2026 checks.
Check out NSCA’s current pricing for deals and discounts.
NSCA Value
While the study materials you get from NSCA are a bit bare compared to the likes of ISSA, NASM, or ACE, the actual content in the textbook is incredibly detailed.
You will know a lot by the time you start training clients in the gym. Certain elements shine, such as exercise science, the biomechanics section, programming, and how to train athletes. NSCA also has some of the best assessments in any CPT, meaning you are able to figure out the safety of different exercises and positions for your clients.
My Scoring Criteria (Detailed)
Study Packages Price
The IPTA certification offers the most affordable accredited entry with study material at $399, and NCSF is close at $449. On the other hand, NASM has the highest entry at $999.
ACE’s figures here include its $99 accredited exam, which is not in any of its study packages, so its entry price is $593.50.
However, these prices do not take into account the overall quality of the study materials.
Quality-wise, I’d still rate IPTA at the top, but then NASM, ISSA, and NCSF are the next best.
| Certification | Cheapest Package Price | Most Expensive Package Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1. IPTA | $399 | $799 |
| 2. NCSF | $449 | $999 |
| 3. ACSM | $565 | $764 |
| 4. ACE | $593.50 | $973.50 |
| 5. NSCA | $781 | $1,020 |
| 6. ISSA | $947 | $947 |
| 7. NASM | $999 | $1,482 |
Financing
I also compared which certifications allow you to pay for your CPT in installments. NASM, IPTA, and ISSA all allow you to break up your costs into monthly interest-free payments.
While this doesn’t decrease the price of your study packages, it does decrease the amount you pay per month, making becoming a personal trainer more attainable if you haven’t saved up the money for the full amount.
Plus, with the interest-free options, it’s a win-win because you don’t end up paying more, you just pay over time. Note that some of these payment-based options are based on the actual price of the certification, not the discounted price, so you may end up spending a little bit more.
| Certification | Number of Payments | No Credit Check Needed? |
|---|---|---|
| NASM | $199 down plus 17 payments, $49 down plus 12, or 25% down plus 3 | Unknown |
| IPTA | MVP only, $49 down plus 11 × $89 equals $1,028 | Yes |
| ISSA | 12 payments | Unknown |
| NCSF | From $38 per month | Unknown |
| ACE | Plus and Advantage only, $49 today plus 4 monthly payments | Unknown |
| NSCA | N/A | N/A |
| ACSM | N/A | N/A |
Future Savings
Once you purchase you certification, your costs are not over. If you fail the exam, often you must pay to retake it. Also, every few years you need complete a recertification process to maintain your personal trainer certification.
Let’s look at these extra costs.
Exam Retake Costs
IPTA gives you free and unlimited retakes on MVP ($199 per retake on Rookie). ISSA’s retake for the accredited NCCPT exam is $99. NASM gives you one free retake starting with Premium Self-Study.
| Certification | Retake Fee |
|---|---|
| 1. IPTA | Free and unlimited on MVP ($199 on Rookie) |
| 2. NCSF | $99 |
| 3. ISSA | $99 |
| 4. NASM | $199 |
| 5. ACSM | $205 |
| 6. ACE | $249 |
| 7. NSCA | $435 |
Recertification Costs
IPTA leads on the first cycle by making your first recertification free on MVP ($99 every 2 years after that). After the first cycle, ACSM ($60 every 3 years) and NSCA ($35 to $90 every 3 years) cost less per renewal. ISSA’s recertification is $99, but if you use ISSA courses to earn your CEUs they waive the fee as well.
| Certification | # of CEUs | Cost | Length of time |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPTA | 24 CEUs | Free first recert on MVP ($99 on Rookie and after that) | Every 2 years |
| ISSA | 20 hours | $99, waived if CEUs through ISSA | Every 2 years |
| NASM | 2.0 CEUs | $99 | Every 2 years |
| NCSF | 10 CEUs | $85 | Every 2 years |
| NSCA | 6.0 CEUs | $35 to $90 | Every 3 years |
| ACE | 2.0 CECs | $129 | Every 2 years |
| ACSM | 45 CECs | $60 | Every 3 years |
CPT Bonuses/Features
Many of these certifications also offer bonuses that either cut down on costs or help you find a job. For instance, the job guarantee that IPTA, NASM, and ISSA offer means that once you achieve your CPT, you can easily find a job with one of their partner gyms.
Other meaningful bonuses include free CPR certification, which every personal trainer must maintain, and a free website which can help you promote your new personal training business.
| Certification | CPT Bonuses/Features |
|---|---|
| IPTA MVP |
|
| ISSA |
|
| NASM |
|
| NCSF | One-year NCSF membership |
| ACE |
|
| ACSM | N/A |
| NSCA | N/A |
Certification Bundles
I strongly recommend that my students pursue multiple certifications to expand their career opportunities and increase their earning potential right away.
For instance, pairing a nutrition coaching certification with a CPT creates a powerhouse combination, allowing you to offer comprehensive fitness solutions to your clients.
Adding a specialized fitness certification can further accelerate your success, especially in your first year as a trainer.
If you’re interested in working with athletes, a strength and conditioning specialization is a game-changer.
With these additional credentials, you’ll immediately stand out, increasing both your value and income far beyond what a CPT alone provides.
Personally, obtaining multiple specializations early on helped me fast-track my fitness career and achieve success much quicker.
Another benefit of bundling certifications is that you end up paying less for each certification.
IPTA, ISSA, NASM, and NCSF all offer good certification bundles, while NSCA and ACSM are lacking here. IPTA goes deepest, with bundles running to all six of their certifications at $200 each.
The IPTA’s bundle builder lets you put together two, four, or six certifications together, and the cost per-cert drops at each step up.
| Certification | Certification Bundles | Price Per Certification |
|---|---|---|
| IPTA CPT | 6, 4, or 2 certifications | $200, $250, $400 |
| ISSA CPT | 3 certifications, 2 certifications | $321 on Elite Trainer at $963 through PT Pioneer’s link (the ISSA CPT, the nutrition coach certification course and the strength and conditioning course), about $594 on the Fitness Coach Bundle |
| NASM CPT | 4 certifications, 2 certifications | $472.50 on Elite Trainer Bundle at $1,890, $706.50 on CPT Essentials at $1,413 |
| NCSF CPT | 3 certifications, 2 certifications | $374.50 on CPT plus Sport Nutrition or Strength Coach at $749, $333 on Master Trainer at $999 |
| ACE CPT | 2 certifications | $707 for PT plus Behavior Change or Active Aging Coach, $1,414 for PT plus Corrective Exercise Coach (whether these include the $99 accredited exam is not stated) |
| NSCA CPT | N/A | N/A |
| ACSM CPT | N/A | N/A |
Hidden Costs and Payment Plans that Change the Order
- IPTA: Rookie $399 includes the exam and core study tools; MVP adds free unlimited retakes and the first renewal. No hidden exam fee.
- ISSA: $868 plus the $79 Prometric test delivery fee for the accredited NCCPT exam, $947 in total.
- NCSF: $449 includes the exam. No hidden fee.
- ACE: Basic $494.50 plus the $99 NCCA exam, $593.50 in total.
- NASM: $999 Self-Study includes the exam. No hidden fee.
- ACSM: $410 exam plus two textbooks ($155), $565 in total.
- NSCA: $435 exam plus the CPT Essential Collection ($346), $781 in total.
Only NASM’s plans come within a few dollars of the one-time price. For other plans, compare the plan total to the pay-once price before you enroll. For total program cost questions beyond these seven, see my personal trainer certification cost guide.
| Certification | Payment plan | Total on plan vs paying once |
|---|---|---|
| IPTA MVP | $49 down plus 11 payments of $89 | $1,028 vs $799, 0% interest, paying once saves $229, Rookie has no plan |
| ISSA | 12 payments | $1,068 vs $868, ISSA calls it 0% interest and it costs $200 more than paying once |
| NCSF | From $38 per month | Term not published |
| ACE | Plus $49 plus 4 payments of $178.50, Advantage $49 plus 4 payments of $275.17 | Plus $763.00 vs $584.50, Advantage $1,149.68 vs $874.50 |
| NASM | $199 plus 17 payments of $47, or $49 plus 12 payments of $79, or 25 percent down plus 3 payments of $250 | Totals within a few dollars of paying once, the only plan of the seven we verified as matching the one-time price |
| ACSM | None | Not applicable |
| NSCA | None | Not applicable |
Is a Cheap Personal Trainer Certification Worth it?
Yes, as long as it is NCCA accredited and includes the study material you need. Here is how I would decide based on your situation.
- New to exercise science: buy a package that includes study material. An exam-only route only looks cheaper until you buy the books, for example ACSM $410 exam plus $155 textbooks, or NSCA $435 exam plus $346 collection.
- Already have the knowledge: an exam-only route from the table can be the cheapest accredited path. Just make sure to pass the exam the first time.
- Worried about failing: compare retake fees. Free and unlimited on IPTA MVP, $99 at ISSA and NCSF, $199 at NASM, $205 at ACSM, $249 at ACE, and $435 at NSCA.
- Planning to stay certified for years: compare renewal cost per cycle. $60 every 3 years at ACSM and $35 to $90 every 3 years at NSCA cost least per cycle, IPTA makes the first renewal free, ACE $129 every 2 years is the highest fee.
- Want a specialization too: bundles usually beat buying separately, see the bundles above.
For most new trainers, I recommend IPTA. It has the lowest entry price of the seven at $399, the $799 MVP is my best-value pick because retakes, the first renewal and the bonuses are included, and its 4 to 8 week average study time is the shortest of the seven where a figure is available.
Before you buy, check with the gym you want to work at. All seven certifications priced here are NCCA accredited on the path shown, but each gym decides which credentials it accepts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest NCCA accredited personal trainer certification?
Of the major NCCA accredited certifications that include study material, IPTA is the cheapest at $399 for Rookie. Exam-only routes such as NFPT at $299 and ACTION at $99 plus proctor fees cost less but include no study material.
How long does it take to get a personal trainer certification?
IPTA averages 4 to 8 weeks, the shortest of the seven where a figure is available. NCSF reports 2 to 3 months, NASM about 8 to 12 weeks on average with some finishing in 4 to 6 weeks, ACE 3 to 6 months, and ISSA in as little as 3 months, while ACSM publishes no figure and I could not find one for NSCA. For a fuller breakdown, see my guide on how long it takes to become a personal trainer.
Is IPTA NCCA accredited?
Yes, the IPTA CPT is NCCA accredited. Its specializations are not separately NCCA accredited.
Is IPTA’s MVP package worth it?
Yes, if you want more than the basics. For $799, MVP adds the AI tutor and SurePass AI study tools, free unlimited retakes, a free first recertification, CPR/AED certification, a free trainer website, Trainer Stack business courses, Meso Core for two years, the Job Assurance Guarantee and, currently, a second certification of your choice, which is why it is my best-value pick.
How much does it cost to stay certified?
IPTA’s first renewal is free on MVP, and otherwise it costs $99 every 2 years, the same as NASM and ISSA (ISSA waives its fee if all CEUs are earned through ISSA). NCSF charges $85 every 2 years, ACE $129 every 2 years, ACSM $60 every 3 years, and NSCA $35 to $90 every 3 years.
My Picks
- Cheapest with study material: IPTA Rookie $399, lowest entry price of the seven with the exam and core tools included.
- Best value: IPTA MVP at $799, with free unlimited retakes, a free first recertification and every bonus above, including a second certification of your choice while the promotion runs.
- Fastest: IPTA, with an average study time of 4 to 8 weeks, the shortest of the seven where a figure is available.
- Lowest first-cycle total: NCSF at $633, if the lowest total for entry, one retake and the first renewal matters most to you.
- Lowest cost per renewal cycle: ACSM at $60 every 3 years and NSCA at $35 to $90 every 3 years.
Confirm the current price and what is included on the official site before you enroll, and check with the gym where you plan to work.
Happy studying.
References
- American Council on Exercise, “Personal trainer certification page”, acefitness.org, https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/personal-trainer-certification/, accessed October 22, 2026.
- American College of Sports Medicine, “Certified Personal Trainer certification page”, acsm.org, https://acsm.org/certification/get-certified/personal-trainer/, accessed October 22, 2026.
- International Sports Sciences Association, “Certified Personal Trainer product page”, issaonline.com, https://www.issaonline.com/products/certified-personal-trainer, accessed October 22, 2026.
- National Academy of Sports Medicine, “Become a personal trainer page”, nasm.org, https://www.nasm.org/products/become-a-personal-trainer, accessed October 22, 2026.
- National Academy of Sports Medicine, “Certified Personal Trainer product page”, nasm.org, https://www.nasm.org/products/CPT, accessed October 22, 2026.
- National Academy of Sports Medicine, “CPT exam product page”, nasm.org, https://www.nasm.org/products/cpt-7-exam, accessed October 22, 2026.
- National Council on Strength and Fitness, “Personal trainer certification page”, ncsf.org, https://www.ncsf.org/personal-trainer/, accessed October 22, 2026.
- National Federation of Professional Trainers, “Get certified page”, nfpt.com, https://nfpt.com/get-certified/, accessed October 22, 2026.
- ACTION Certification, “Home page”, actioncertification.org, https://www.actioncertification.org/, accessed October 22, 2026.
- Trainer Academy, “Bundle builder page”, traineracademy.org, https://traineracademy.org/bundle-builder, accessed October 22, 2026.
- National Strength and Conditioning Association, “NSCA-CPT certification page”, nsca.com, https://www.nsca.com/certification/nsca-cpt/.
AMAZING site with the best compilation of info out there!! Can’t THANK YOU enough for this service!! Kudo’s!
No worries Laura, that’s what I’m here for to help all of you find the certification is right for you.
Hi Guys!
I wanna know if the Fitness Mentors Certification is accredited by the NCCA.
Thank you!
Hey there, I do believe that they are accredited by the NCCA although they are not nearly as recognized as some other ones such as the National Academy of sports medicine, or the American Council on exercise. I do believe that you need to pay extra in order to get the ncca accredited version. Whereas with the other organizations that comes standard.
I was wondering if you are able to provide any information regarding the National Association for Fitness Certification- Nutrition Coach Certification? Accredited by NBFE. Are you familiar with this certification? Is this reputable at all? I am aware that it is not top of the list. I am looking for a quick/inexpensive, if possible, cert to get going. Will work towards better/additional certs. I am former D1 athlete, and have coached soccer, track and field, and strength and conditioning at the youth and HS level, and am looking to work with teams, and individual athletes, as well as general population on a 1 on 1 basis. I appreciate any intel you can provide.
Hello,
I have heard of the national Association for fitness certification but I really do not know too much about it besides hearing of the name. If you are looking to work with athletes of any level, I suggest picking up a strength and conditioning certification as well as a youth certification in your circumstance. I would either go with ISSA or NASM. If you have a college degree, the CSCS certification is definitely at the top of the list in terms of recognition.
What do you think about ACT (Athletic Certification Training Commission)?
Hey Tony,
I have heard of the athletic certification training commission but honestly I have not done too much research and I also do not know any personal trainers that are holding that certification. Maybe I will do some more research and write a full review on them in the future, but for now I can’t tell you too much about them.
I have a european cert and need to get a us cert. I have been training for 15 years and think that action CPT seems the best option as I already have my years of experience and cert.
Hey Neill,
That’s pretty cool that you have a European personal training certification. Which certification is that by the way? The action certification will definitely be fine for your situation as it is accredited by the NCCA and should be a breeze for you to pass seeing that you already have 15 years of experience working as a personal trainer. Also the price is very tempting. I say go for it.
Hi Tyler, Its Australian Inst Fitness Master Trainer(AIF). A very intensive 8 week 10 hours a day on-site certification. Price was way more than the list you mentioned at 4000k+ plus food. accommodation was taken care of. It is an awesome cert. Everything was live as well as to get my final exam we had to go into the local gym and ask someone if they would like to do a training session with me for an hour. Then they were interviewed after for feedback. It was awesome.
I read in the NASM handbook “The CPT Exam Only option allows the candidate to challenge the NCCA-accredited
CPT certification examination. Purchase of NASM certification preparation materials is
not required in order to become eligible to sit for the CPT exam, and does not
guarantee a passing score on the exam. Candidates who pass the examination will
be awarded the CPT credential.”
I’ve not contacted NASM, but maybe you can answer; from reading this you can take the test without purchasing anything through NASM. Am I missing anything?
Hey Joel,
You definitely do not need to buy any study materials from anyone if you feel confident that you will pass the exam. That being said, you still do need to pay for the entrance and the ability to take the NASM test. They do on their website have a test only option that does not include any study materials. At the minimum, this is what you will need to purchase to get certified through them.