12.6%
10 year Job Growth
$46,354 to $78,936
Avg. Starting Salary1
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Issuing Authority

MedCerts Program for CPT Certification

Issuing Authority National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)

Since 1987, the National Academy of Sports Medicine has trained over 1.4 million professionals in fitness and wellness. They are National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCAA) accredited and have over one thousand health club partners, and a network of industry leaders and influencers in 100 countries. The organization has its headquarters in Gilbert, Arizona.
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CPT Certification Detail

The Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certification is ideal for individuals with an interest in fitness and exercise, and who have ambition to help others reach their fitness goals. This program is also highly recommended for those already working in the field of fitness/exercise, but who lack certification. It is also ideal for those working in related fields such as Physical Therapy or Nutrition. 

The NASM-CPT certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (“NCCA”), a division of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. 

Must have current Emergency Cardiopulmonary Resuscitated (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Certification prior to sitting for the exam (not required to purchase the NASM-CPT). The CPT exam is taken through a live proctor, which can be online or in-person at a proctoring location. For more information about taking the NASM-CPT exam, click here.  

The NASM Certified Personal Trainer certification must be recertified every two years to ensure that NASM-CPTs stay up to date with current best-practice guidelines and skills. To recertify, you will be required to earn 2.0. NASM-approved CEUs (20 contact hours) every two-year certification period. This includes 0.1 CEUs from the mandatory CPR/AED certification.

CPT Certification Skills Gained

  • Recognize and apply exercise psychology and behavioral coaching techniques for a wide variety of clients. 
  • Identify concepts and structures of anatomy and physiology, human movement science, exercise metabolism, nutrition, and supplementation.
  • Select, perform, and interpret results from a client fitness assessment. 
  • Provide instruction and demonstrate proper exercise techniques for clients.
  • Design client-specific exercise programs based on assessment results and client abilities. 

CPT Career PathwaysAttainable Jobs

highest Paying

$46,354 - $78,936
Estimated Salary1

highest Paying

$37,959 - $47,612
Estimated Salary1

highest Paying

$47,424 - $61,460
Estimated Salary1
1All available job and salary information is from Burning Glass Labor Insights and is updated annually to reflect industry changes.