- Last Updated:
- 10/7/2024
- Chelsea Ramsey
If you’re a first-time personal trainer looking to be certified by the experts, check out the National Federation of Personal Trainers (NFPT). It’s dedicated entirely to the education and training of personal trainers, giving you the tools you need to learn about this industry and how to build a successful business within it.
Interested in the NFPT certification program? Take a look at our comprehensive review to learn the costs, pros and cons, and how an NFPT certification can benefit personal trainers like you.
What Is The National Federation Of Personal Trainers (NFPT)?
The NFPT was started in 1978 by former U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Ron Clark.
The NFPT program was made to focus on the basics and not overcomplicate the idea of personal training. Even if you’re newer to the fitness world, the NFPT certification programs are designed to encourage and support you in your journey without breaking the bank or making you feel overwhelmed.
Pros & Cons of NFPT
Pros
- The certification programs include materials to help you start and run your own personal trainer business
- The NFPT is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
- Some of the continuing education credit (CEC) courses are free of charge, with no fee to submit your credentials for recertification
- You can take the exam in one of 400+ physical locations or online with a virtual proctor.
- There are special offers for military members, with the chance to receive reimbursement for your certification through the GI Bill
Cons
- CECs and recertification are due yearly
- Most of the materials are geared toward new personal trainers
- Not as widely recognized by potential clients
- Less in-depth course materials
Not sure NFPT is right for you? See more Insurance Canopy reviews of the best personal trainer certification programs, so you can choose with confidence.
What to Know About the NFPT Personal Trainer Certification
The primary focus of the NFPT is certifying personal trainers, so the curriculum is fast-paced. It’s geared exclusively to helping you develop a love for fitness while learning the skills you need to successfully train others.
Here are the basics the NFPT personal trainer certification materials cover:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Training methods
- Fitness programming
- Goal setting
- Professionalism
- Communication
Once you are certified, you can access a variety of resources intended to help you find jobs, improve client relationships, and grow your business as a trainer.
Requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a high school diploma or GED (General Education Diploma)
- Adhere to NFPT’s Code of Conduct
Cost
- Standard Package: $299
- Premier Package: $349
- Exam Only: $199
NFPT certification costs vary depending on the type of program package you choose.
The standard package comes with an exam outline, digital educational materials and chapter quizzes, and one exam attempt.
The premium package includes the same materials as the standard package, plus three total practice tests, demo videos, client assessment tools, and access to education help.
The NFPT also offers an exam only option but this does not include any course or test prep material. Plus, there are pay-as-you-go financing options available.
If you fail your first exam attempt, you may re-attempt it for $119, regardless of the package previously purchased.
The NFPT Personal Trainer Certification Exam
- In-person or virtual
- Ability to choose your exam day
- Test is made up of 120 multiple-choice questions
- 2-hour time limit
- Minimum of 750 points out of 1000 are required for passing
- Test consists of five categories:
- Training Program Development, Implementation and Modification (33%)
- Fitness Components (23%)
- Principles of Human Anatomy (20%)
- Principles of Human Physiology (19%)
- Professionalism and Communication Skills (5%)
Continuing Education & Recertification
You will need to renew your cert each year (after you complete your first year post-certification):
- Complete 2.00 CECs (Continuing Education Credits)
- Upload your CEC completion certificates to your NFPT Account
You can earn these credits in a variety of ways — through NFPT self-tests, free courses, workshops, seminars, CPR/AED* certification, and more. You can even get 0.25 credits for providing proof of liability insurance!
The NFPT is very flexible in how you receive these credits, stating, “If you take the time to do an exercise science or fitness business learning activity, we’ll give you the credit!” There are also no submission fees, which is unique to NFPT.
There are a few specialized CECs you can complete through NFPT as well. These online courses are offered at a low cost and help you specialize in or develop an area of expertise:
- MS Fitness Training Specialist
- Cancer Recovery Specialist
- Breast Cancer Recovery Specialist
- Master Fitness Trainer
- Fitness Nutrition Specialist
- Functional Training Specialist
- Sleep Coach
- Resistance Training
- Endurance Training
- Anatomy Fundamentals
- Plyometric Training
- Stretching Principles
- Core Training
- Running Mechanics
- Lead Management for Sales Goals
*CPR = cardiopulmonary respiration, AED = automated external defibrillator
What Can You Do With an NFPT Certification?
With a National Federation of Personal Trainers cert you can start working on your career in fitness in most facilities that offer fitness programs.
Please note that you will likely need to get CPR certified as well even though NFPT does not require it to take their exam. Most gyms will require you to have a valid CPR certification before they will hire you as an employee or independent contractor.
The NFPT is a great option for new prospective trainers and those with stricter budgets. They also partner with the Navy COOL program, ideal for current or veteran service members looking to get started in a fitness career.
We also admire the recognition the NFPT puts into CECs beyond just a course or workshop. Anything you are doing to further yourself as a trainer or grow your business may be counted toward your certification.
Why Certified Personal Trainers Need Insurance
Before you get to work, you will also need personal trainer insurance. Even the most experienced fitness professionals can’t avoid every misstep or strained muscle. Liability insurance can help protect you from the cost of claims from things like client injuries or damaged equipment.
Like the CPR cert, many facilities may also require you to have your own liability insurance. And if you work independently, part-time, or in multiple gyms, chances are whatever location you are working in won’t automatically include you under their liability plans.
Luckily, Insurance Canopy has one of the best insurance plans for trainers on the market. For as low as $15 a month, you can get a plan that includes policies for general liability, professional liability, product liability, personal and advertising injury, medical expenses, and damage to premises rented to you.
Get NFPT credit and coverage you can count on with Insurance Canopy today!
Frequently Asked Questions About NFPT Personal Trainer Certification
NFPT provides a lot of free and flexible continuing education credit options. Other resources for their trainers include a specific business skills course (which counts towards your CECs and does have a fee), job board links, and deals for their trainers with multiple partner businesses.
The NFPT does not have job placement services.
