NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) Exam Exam Guide
At a glance
- Questions
- 100
- Time limit
- 2h
- Passing score
- 70 (scaled score)
- Exam fee
- $599
- Governing body
- National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
The NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exam is a national credentialing test for aspiring and working fitness professionals, administered by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). It's the credential most commonly required by gyms, studios, and corporate wellness programs before a trainer can work with clients on their own.
Overview
The exam is built from six content domains, each weighted according to NASM's official candidate handbook:
- Basic and Applied Sciences and Nutritional Concepts — 15%
- Client Relations and Behavioral Coaching — 15%
- Assessment — 16%
- Program Design — 20%
- Exercise Technique and Training Instruction — 24%
- Professional Development and Responsibility — 10%
Program Design and Exercise Technique together make up nearly half the exam, so most study time should go toward applying training principles rather than just memorizing definitions.
Cost and registration
The exam-only package costs $599.00 as a one-time payment. This option excludes prep materials and learning support, and NASM positions it for candidates who already have formal education or hands-on experience in exercise and fitness science. Candidates who need study materials should check NASM's current fee schedule for its bundled study packages, since pricing on those changes over time.
Exam format
The exam is closed-book and proctored, with 120 total questions — 100 scored plus 20 unscored pretest items — and a two-hour time limit. A scaled score of 70 or higher is required to pass. The exam must be taken within 180 days of purchase, and candidates need a valid government-issued photo ID plus current CPR/AED certification on exam day.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the NASM CPT exam and how long do I have?
The NASM CPT exam has 120 total questions (100 scored, 20 unscored pretest items) and candidates are given two hours to complete it.
What is the passing score for the NASM CPT exam?
You need a scaled score of 70 or better to pass the NASM CPT exam.
How much does the NASM CPT exam cost?
The exam-only option is $599.00 as a one-time payment. That package excludes prep materials and is intended for candidates who already have formal training or experience in exercise and fitness science.
What are the eligibility requirements to sit for the NASM CPT exam?
You need a high school diploma or GED (or be within 90 days of completing one), along with current CPR and AED certification. NASM itself sets no minimum age, though many insurers and employers commonly require candidates to be 18.
What happens if I fail the NASM CPT exam?
After a first failed attempt, you must wait one week before retesting. A second failure means a 30-day wait, and if you fail a third time or beyond, NASM requires a full year's wait before you can try again. A retest fee applies to each retake.
How often do I need to renew my NASM CPT certification?
The certification is valid for two years, and renewing it requires earning 2.0 continuing education units, roughly 20 hours of approved coursework, before it expires.
Sources
- 1.NASM Candidate Handbook — Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) (Updated 9/2025) — National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) (accessed Aug 9, 2026)
- 2.NASM Certified Personal Trainer Exam Details | NCCA Accredited — National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) (accessed Aug 9, 2026)
- 3.Become a NASM Certified Personal Trainer | Start Your Fitness Career — National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) (accessed Aug 9, 2026)
- 4.NASM CPT Exam | NCCA-Accredited Certification Exam Registration — National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) (accessed Aug 9, 2026)
- 5.NASM CPT Certification Renewal | Maintain Your Accredited Credential — National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) (accessed Aug 9, 2026)
Official sources
Every exam fact on this page traces to a primary document published by the body that administers the exam.
- NASM Candidate Handbook — Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) (Updated 9/2025)National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)support.nasm.org
- Become a NASM Certified Personal Trainer | Start Your Fitness CareerNational Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)nasm.org
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer Exam Details | NCCA AccreditedNational Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)nasm.org
- NASM Candidate Information Bulletin — Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)support.nasm.org
- NASM CPT Certification Renewal | Maintain Your Accredited CredentialNational Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)nasm.org
- NASM CPT Exam | NCCA-Accredited Certification Exam RegistrationNational Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)nasm.org
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