NCSF Exam

Our review of the NCSF personal trainer certification continues with a look at the NCSF exam and an overview of the certification. Remember to see what other readers are saying about NCSF.

Overview of the NCSF Exam

To pass the 150 question exam you must demonstrate your knowledge of basic anatomy, exercise physiology, health screening and evaluation, nutrition and weight management, exercise prescription, and special populations. The exact proportions of each topic is listed below.

Preparing for the NCSF Certification Test

The NCSF exam costs $199 and carries a hefty $135 retake fee. So be sure to come prepared to the exam.

There are lots of study materials available from NCSF and from independent sources. The official NCSF materials are good but you should plan on taking our Exam Prep Course. With over 500 practice questions for only $24.95, it is a great insurance policy against having to retake the NCSF exam.

Recertification requirements

NCSF Vital Statistics

What did you think about NCSF?

The section below gives our readers the chance to talk about their experience with the NCSF personal trainer certification and the NCSF test. After you take your exam, remember to come back and tell us how you did and what worked for you!

Our readers submit some great tips about passing the NCSF personal trainer certification exam. Read the tips and add your comments and ratings to each tip.

Other NCSF Exam Options?
Hi, I would really like to get a personal trainer certification from NCSF. I am stationed in Iraq at the moment, and I'm going to Germany once my tour ...

NCSF Certification Journey - Part 4 - I Passed the Exam!
Great news... I passed the NCSF exam on Saturday!

They give you 3 hours for the exam with "no break time" (so the time is counting down during any ...

NCSF exam advice
I just passed the NCSF exam, so I thought I'd pass on some advice. It is a tough test and anyone would need to study to pass it. I studied the entire ...

ACE or NCSF or NSCA
I live in Los Angeles and am eager to pursue a career in personal training. I've read through your site thoroughly but am still unsure as to which NCCA ...

NCSF compared to ACE and ACSM
I am currently studying with the Home Study program from the National Council on Strength and Fitness. I am trying to decide which organization to get ...

Study, Study, Study Not rated yet
I just passed the NCSF Personal Trainer Cert. Exam. It was somewhat difficult, but not as bad as I expected. My advice to anyone on their way to becoming ...

NCSF and special populations Not rated yet
I am really interested in working with special populations and I had always thought NSCA would be my only option if I only wanted a basic CPT cert and ...

Ask About Workshop Cancellations Not rated yet
Greetings,
I drove from Western North Carolina to attend a workshop at the University of Maryland. The instructor, Matt, cancelled the workshop after ...

NCSF-CPT Exam Not rated yet
I passed the NCSF-CPT exam this afternoon! I'm really excited, and quite glad to have it behind me.

I recently earned a Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology ...

Couldn't Have Done it Without This Site! Not rated yet
Katie,

Thank you a million times over for having such a wonderful site. This afternoon I passed my NCSF-CPT exam, and I definitely couldn't have done ...

Do I need the NCSF Materials? Not rated yet
I have recently graduated from a 4 year University with a degree in Exercise Science, and got a job working as a personal trainer at a club. I do however ...

Passed the NCSF Exam yesterday Not rated yet
I passed the NCSF exam yesterday with an 80%. It is technical as has been stated before. There were very few questions that involved math - however there ...

Excellent Program, make sure you really study Everything Not rated yet
I have been in the fitness industry for about 10 years, I have been personal training full time for over 5 of those. I already hold a national certification ...

NCSF Exam Study Time Not rated yet
I am going to be taking my NCSF exam soon! Ahhh, and I am kind of nervous. How long are people studying before taking this exam?

I Passed the NCSF Exam Not rated yet
I passed the NCSF exam last week (Sept 08). As reported earlier, it was comprehensive and challenging. I went through it a few times going over questions ...

The NCSF Workshop - Part 3 Not rated yet
I ventured out to Las Vegas this past weekend for the NCSF workshop and I'll cut to the chase by saying I was really impressed. I learned a TON and was ...

NCSF Certification Journey - Part 2 Not rated yet
Reflections on Personal Trainer Training: Part 1

It's been over a month since I've written. Wow, that went fast. I'm finding it harder and harder ...

NCSF Certification Journey - Part 1 Not rated yet
I have been a publicist in the film industry for almost 6 years. I started in college running around ragged promoting films, pitching interviews and working ...