Have a question? 
IPTA (International Personal Trainer Academy) is the easiest of the major NCCA accredited personal trainer certifications to prepare for and earn.
Its $399 Rookie package is the lowest entry price of the seven (this includes the certification and NCCA exam, the digital textbook in the online reader, interactive study guide, exam simulator and flashcard system). Average study time is 4 to 8 weeks, the shortest. The $799 MVP is the overall best value, adding the AI tutor, SurePass AI, weak point training, free unlimited retakes, a free first recertification and business and coaching bonuses.
Easiest in this ranking means less study burden, less time, easier access, lower cost of failing and simpler renewal, not an easier exam.
If you are still deciding, I recommend taking this quiz.
The 7 Easiest Accredited Certifications Compared
The first table shows what you pay and what you study with on each accredited route, at current prices.
| Certification | Entry price with study material | What you study with (entry package) | Average study time | PTP Ease Rating | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPTA | $399 | Digital textbook in the online reader, interactive study guide, exam simulator and flashcard system | 4 to 8 weeks | 10.0 | Learn More |
| ISSA | $947 ($868 plus $79 Prometric test delivery fee) | Guided online course, digital textbook, ISSA open-book exam plus the accredited NCCPT exam | in as little as 3 months | 8.0 | Learn More |
| NCSF | $449 | E-learning platform, digital textbook, videos, lesson notes, Q&A, digital flash cards, review quizzes, instructor support, one-year membership | 2 to 3 months | 7.9 | Learn More |
| NASM | $999 | Online course with the digital textbook built in, videos, quizzes, practice exams, EDGE app flashcards and questions | 2 to 3 months | 7.6 | Learn More |
| ACE | $593.50 ($494.50 Basic plus $99 NCCA exam add-on) | ACE University, digital textbook, digital Study Companion, 1 practice test, ACE Answers basic | 3 to 6 months | 6.0 | Learn More |
| ACSM | $565 (exam $410 plus two textbooks $155) | Two textbooks only; the exam fee buys no study material | Not published | 5.4 | Learn More |
| NSCA | $781 (exam $435 plus Essential Collection $346) | Essential Collection: textbook, quizzes, online practice test, PDF study guide | No single figure | 4.2 | Learn More |
The second table covers exam day and what it takes to stay certified.
| Certification | Accredited exam | Pass mark | Delivery | Retake | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPTA | 125 questions (110 scored) / 3 hours | Scaled 600 on a 200 to 800 scale | Online (live remote proctor) or in person at a Prometric test center | Free and unlimited on MVP ($199 per retake on Rookie) | Every 2 years, 24 CEUs; first renewal free on MVP, then $99 |
| ISSA | NCCPT exam: 125 questions / 2 hours | Scaled 550 out of 800 | Prometric | $99 | Every 2 years, 20 hours, $99 (waived if every CEU is earned through ISSA) |
| NCSF | 150 questions / 3 hours | 70 percent | Online, or over 1,000 test centers in 83 countries | $99 US and Canada ($299 elsewhere) | Every 2 years, 10 CEUs (20 hours), $85 |
| NASM | 120 questions (100 scored + 20 unscored) / 2 hours | Scaled 70 | PSI, online or in person | $199 (one retest included from Premium Self-Study up) | Every 2 years, 2.0 CEUs (20 hours), $99 |
| ACE | 150 questions / 3 hours | Scaled 500 or greater (of 800) | In person or online with a Live Remote Proctor | $249 | Every 2 years, 2.0 CECs (20 hours), $129 |
| ACSM | 135 items (120 scored + 15 unscored) / 150 minutes | Scaled 550 on a 200 to 800 scale | Pearson VUE test center or OnVUE online | $205 | Every 3 years, 45 CECs, $60 |
| NSCA | 155 items (140 scored + 15 unscored) / 3 hours | Scaled 70 | Pearson VUE test centers only | $435 | Every 3 years, 6.0 CEUs (60 hours), $35 to $90 |
Read together, the tables put IPTA first on entry price with study material and average study time and MVP, at $799, is the best value because it takes out the retake fee and the first renewal fee. However, ISSA’s and NCSF’s $99 retakes cost less than a Rookie retake, and ACSM and NSCA renew every 3 years for less per cycle than IPTA’s $99.
What “Easiest” Means in This Ranking
This ranking does not score exam difficulty or how fast anyone passes. It scores how easy the credential is to prepare for and earn: how much there is to study and what you study it with, how long people take on average, how and where you sit the exam, what failing costs you in money and time, and what staying certified takes.
Only the accredited route counts: the NCCPT exam at ISSA, the $99 NCCA exam add-on at ACE, and the exam plus textbooks or study collection at ACSM and NSCA, whose exam fees buy no study material. Pass rates are not used to prove difficulty and appear only in the quick-facts boxes.
The PTP Ease Rating uses these weights: Curriculum/Textbook Complexity 25%, Ease of Study Resources 25%, Average Study Time Required 15%, Retake Cost 18%, Exam Accessibility 7%, Ease of Recertification 6%, Ease of Employment 4%.
Textbook and study-resource scores are my own. The other criteria are scored from each organization’s published figures, and IPTA’s retake, recertification and study resources are scored on the MVP package. I took and passed the exams for every certification on this list.
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.
If you want my quick recommendation, I’d go with IPTA. Because IPTA gives you so many study resources (including a free textbook, SurePass AI, interactive study guide) and unlimited retakes with the MVP Package, you just feel more confident going into the final exam. IPTA has a Bundle Builder which allows you mix and match whichever certifications you want. Having a second certification like nutrition or corrective exercise definitely helps you separate yourself from other trainers and you also get to broaden your depth of knowledge.
You could also look at the ISSA Elite Trainer (3 certs), or NASM’s BOGO deal (2 certs) for the best value in a CPT-only program.
How long does it take to study for each certification?
This is the core of “easiest to prepare for”, so for the other six I keep each organization’s own wording.
| Certification | Study time, in the organization’s words where published |
|---|---|
| IPTA | 4 to 8 weeks on average |
| ISSA | 3 months |
| NCSF | 2 to 3 months. |
| NASM | 2-3 months |
| ACE | 3 to 6 months |
| ACSM | 3 months |
| NSCA | 3-6 months |
That makes IPTA’s 4 to 8 weeks the shortest average study time of the seven where a figure is available. ISSA’s 3 months is a minimum, and it is already longer than IPTA’s upper end.
The reason is how the study tools are built. Rookie already puts the exam simulator, flashcards and interactive study guide around the textbook in one place, so practice and review are built in. On MVP, SurePass AI predicts exam readiness, and weak point training and tailored study plans point your hours at what you have not mastered. An AI tutor answers questions from the textbook, magic mnemonics and an essential cheat sheet compress review, and an exam date tracker keeps you on schedule. Free unlimited retakes on MVP also remove the cost of rebooking if you need a second attempt. IPTA calls this the Fast-Track system. For the bigger picture, see my guide to how long it takes to become a personal trainer.
Easiest Personal Trainer Certification Reviews
1. International Trainer Academy (IPTA) Certification
- 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
IPTA offers the NCCA accredited IPTA CPT from $399 on its Rookie package, with the exam and core study tools included, and you can read the full digital textbook free on trial with no payment info required.
Rookie gives you the digital textbook in the online reader, the interactive study guide, the exam simulator and the flashcard system. That is everything you need to study, in the package you pay the least for.
Average study time is 4 to 8 weeks, the shortest here where a figure is available. I rank the IPTA textbook as the most readable of the seven and the study resources as the strongest when scored on MVP, because the tools do the focusing for you.
You can take the exam online with a live remote proctor or in person at a Prometric test center.
MVP at $799 is the best value here because it removes the two costs that add up elsewhere. Retakes are free and unlimited on MVP, so failing a first attempt costs nothing but time ($199 per retake on Rookie). The first renewal is free on MVP through one continuing education course of your choice from over 100 (a $299 value), which supplies the CEUs. After that it is $99 every 2 years for 24 CEUs, and you can also recertify by retaking the exam.
The free trainer website is kept for life through Coaches Online (a $499 value) so you have a place to take clients. The CPR/AED certification is included online with a two-year card (a $99 value) so you do not pay for it separately. Trainer Stack All-Access is eight business courses (a $799 value), including Business Foundations for Personal Trainers and AI Automation for Coaching Businesses, which cover getting clients and running the business. Meso Core is the coaching and client app for two years, with unlimited clients at one flat price, AI that drafts programs from logged history, nutrition logging and white-label branding. The Job Assurance Guarantee is on MVP too, and since finding a first job as a brand-new trainer can be daunting, it is nice to have. Right now a second certification of your choice is included as a promotion, so one purchase gives you two credentials, though only the CPT is NCCA accredited.
MVP is $49 down plus 11 × $89 = $1,028 at 0% interest, or $799 once which saves $229, with no credit check. Rookie is pay in full. Both packages have a 7-day refund window.
IPTA’s main limitation is that it is the newest organization here, so it has less name recognition than NASM or ACE. It holds the same NCCA accreditation for its CPT as NASM, ACE and the others, and I recommend you check with the gym you want to work at. For a deeper look at the materials, see my IPTA full review or the free IPTA study guide, practice test and flashcards.
2. International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) Certification
Best business skills coverage
Excellent resistance technique
Good value with combo deals
High price for single certification
Lacks best behavioral coaching content
The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) offers the ISSA CPT for $947 on the accredited route at the time of writing ($868 plus the $79 Prometric test delivery fee ISSA lists separately), NCCA accredited through the NCCPT exam and, in my view, the strongest on business skills of the seven.
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?  |
What you study with is a guided online course and digital textbook, with videos, practice exams and quizzes. The course sets the order of study for you.
ISSA says you can finish “in as little as 3 months”, which is a minimum rather than an average.
The accredited exam is the NCCPT CPT exam, delivered through Prometric. ISSA also includes its own open-book exam, which is not NCCA accredited, so I recommend you book the NCCPT exam.
If you fail the accredited exam, a retake is $99. For staying certified you need 20 hours every 2 years and $99, waived if every CEU is earned through ISSA.
3. National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) Certification
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
The National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) offers the NCSF-CPT for $449 at the time of writing, an NCCA accredited certification with a very readable textbook and a complete e-learning platform.
What you study with is the e-learning platform, digital textbook (hard copy optional), videos, lesson notes, Q&A, digital flash cards, review quizzes and expert instructor support, with a one-year membership and the NCCA exam included.
Most students complete the course within 2 to 3 months, about 80 to 120 hours total, with some finishing in 2 to 3 weeks and some using the full 6 months.
The proctored exam uses a true 70 percent cut, and you can sit it online or at over 1,000 test centers in 83 countries through Prometric.
If you fail, a retake is $99 in the US and Canada and $299 elsewhere, the same as ISSA’s $99 and less than a Rookie retake. For staying certified you need 10 CEUs (20 hours) every 2 years and $85.
4. National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certification
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
The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) offers the NASM-CPT for $999 Self-Study at the time of writing, an NCCA accredited certification built around the Optimum Performance Training model and corrective exercise.
What you study with is an online course with the digital textbook built in, videos, quizzes, practice exams and the EDGE app flashcards and questions. That structure tells you what to study next, though the OPT model and corrective content are a lot to learn.
NASM says candidates finish in about 8 to 12 weeks on average, and in as little as four to six weeks studying 10 to 15 hours per week. That four to six weeks is a minimum, so the fair comparison with IPTA’s 4 to 8 week average is NASM’s 8 to 12 weeks.
The exam is closed book, and you have 180 days from purchase to test through PSI, online or in person.
If you fail, a retake is $199, with one retest included from Premium Self-Study up. For staying certified you need 2.0 CEUs (20 hours) every 2 years and $99. For more on the exam, see NASM exam info. You can also compare IPTA vs NASM if you are deciding between the two.
NASM’s Interview Guarantee is included with every NASM-CPT plan for everyone who passes the NASM-CPT exam, and it covers an interview at a participating gym, not a job placement.
Exclusive PTP CPT Offers |
||
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall Cert | Best Online Cert | Best Study Materials |
| Gold Standard Cert | A Good Option | Best CPT for you? |
5. American Council on Exercise (ACE) Certification
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
The American Council on Exercise (ACE) offers the ACE-CPT for $593.50 on the accredited route at the time of writing (Basic $494.50 plus the $99 NCCA exam add-on), NCCA accredited through that add-on and built around its practical IFT model.
What you study with on Basic is ACE University, the digital textbook, the digital Study Companion, one practice test and ACE Answers basic. Plus adds a second practice test, the hard copy textbook, live Q&A webinars and Exercise Science 101.
Most people study for 3 to 6 months, the longest published window of the organizations that publish one.
You can take the accredited exam in person or online with a Live Remote Proctor. The certificate exam included in every package is open book with unlimited attempts, but it is not NCCA accredited, so you need the $99 add-on for the credential this ranking scores. See ACE exam info for format details and IPTA vs ACE for a side-by-side.
If you fail the accredited exam, a retake is $249, the second highest of the seven here. For staying certified you need 2.0 CECs (20 hours) every 2 years and $129, the highest renewal fee here.
6. American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
Best for Clinical Exercise Testing
Great exercise physiology content
Respected organization
Longer recertification period
Little to know exercise programming
No exercise technique content
Textbook is outdated
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) offers the ACSM-CPT for $565 at the time of writing (exam $410 plus two textbooks $155), an NCCA accredited certification whose main textbook reads more like a medical journal, in my view.
What you study with at the lowest cost point is two textbooks only: ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer and ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. The exam fee itself buys no course, which is why ACSM asks more of you to organize your own study. A Prep Bundle at $559 or Prep Bundle Plus at $609 adds a prep course and practice test, totaling $714 and $764 with books.
ACSM does not publish a study time figure on its certification pages, and its exam eligibility window is three months, with paid extensions.
You can take the exam in person at a Pearson testing center or online through OnVUE. See ACSM exam FAQ for more on the format.
If you fail, a retake is $205, and you can retest after 15 days. For staying certified you need 45 CECs every 3 years and $60, one of the lowest renewal fees per cycle here alongside NSCA’s $35 to $90.
7. National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certification
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
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) offers the NSCA-CPT for $781 at the time of writing (exam $435 plus Essential Collection $346), an NCCA accredited certification.
What you study with is the Essential Collection: textbook, quizzes, online practice test and PDF study guide, bought separately from the exam. The textbook is long and technical, so preparation takes more effort if you are new to exercise science.
There is no single study time figure. NSCA’s guidance depends on your background.
Between 25 and 35 of the exam’s 155 items are video or image questions, and you sit it at Pearson VUE test centers only. See my NSCA exam prep guide, and IPTA vs NSCA if you are weighing the two.
If you fail, you pay the full fee again at $435, with at least 30 days between attempts. For staying certified you need 6.0 CEUs (60 hours) every 3 years and $35 to $90 depending on membership.
My Scoring Criteria (Detailed)
Curriculum Complexity
IPTA and ISSA and NCSF remain the easiest textbooks to read. All three do a good job of explaining complicated exercise science topics in a way that’s easy to understand.
Also, all three have the shortest textbooks, and IPTA and NCSF are the most recently written.
If you want to look at the IPTA textbook, they are currently letting you view their textbook for free if you sign up the free trial to their study system.
ACSM and NSCA both offer the longest, most complicated textbooks. NSCA recently updated their textbook, while ACSM has the oldest textbook of any CPT. Personally, I found the ACSM textbook the hardest to digest, as it feels more like a medical journal than a personal training guide.
Which Textbooks are Easiest to Read?
| Certification | Easy to read |
|---|---|
| ISSA CPT | 10/10 |
| IPTA CPT | 10/10 |
| NASM CPT | 9/10 |
| NCSF CPT | 10/10 |
| NSCA CPT | 6/10 |
| ACE CPT | 7/10 |
| ACSM CPT | 5/10 |
Ease of Study Resources
IPTA again comes out on top here with the most helpful study resources. The International Personal Trainer Academy started out as a helpful provider of study resources for other certification companies before they founded their own training certification, so they certainly know how to help people prepare for a test.
Not only is IPTA using AI-based software to help you pass your test with a customized study plan, but the online study system uses gamification to make the process fun.
Other features include: flashcards, an exam simulator, audio study guide, magic mnemonics, and more.
Next on our list is ISSA and NASM who both offer excellent online study portals. NASM has better instructional videos, while ISSA’s guided study program gives you most of the same features as NASM, but at a lower cost.
NSCA and ACSM are bottom of the pack here as neither certification includes study materials in their exam price. Both organizations force you to buy study guides separately and the NSCA study guide amounts to a lengthy handout.
| Certification | Study Resources |
|---|---|
| 1. IPTA | 10/10 |
| 2. ISSA | 9/10 |
| 3. NASM | 9/10 |
| 4. NCSF | 8/10 |
| 5. ACE | 8/10 |
| 7. ACSM | 6/10 |
| 8. NSCA | 5/10 |
Exam Pass Rate
IPTA and ISSA offer the highest pass rates for their NCCA-accredited exam.
Note: the numbers below reflect only NCCA-approved exams, as these are the tests employers prefer over the non-accredited versions.
ACSM and NSCA are the hardest exams based on these statistics. I think this may be due to the academic nature of their textbooks and the lack of excellent study materials.
Certification Pass Rate
| Certification | Pass rate |
|---|---|
| NASM | 66% |
| IPTA | 75% |
| ISSA | 75% |
| NCSF | 69% |
| NSCA | 66% |
| ACE | 69% |
| ACSM | 61% |
Exam Accessibility
ISSA, NASM, and ACE give you the most exam options.
While the NSCA does not provide an online exam option, it partners with Pearson Vue for in-person testing. With over seven times the testing locations of its closest competitor, Meazure Learning, Pearson Vue offers greater accessibility for candidates who need to take the exam at a physical location.
| Organization | Online Proctored (NCCA) | In-Person Proctored (NCCA) | Online Non-Proctored (Non-NCCA) | Proctored Through |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISSA | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Prometric |
| IPTA | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | Prometric |
| NASM | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | PSI Candidate |
| NCSF | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | Prometric |
| ACE | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Meazure Learning/Proctor U |
| NSCA | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | Pearson VUE |
| ACSM | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | Pearson VUE |
Ease of Recertification
IPTA gives you one free recertification, which saves you $99.
NCSF also stands out, because it’s recertification is only $50. Plus, they only require 10 CEUs.
From an ease perspective, know that both NSCA and ACSM only require you to renew every 3 years instead of the standard two. This might seem advantageous, but you end up having to take the same overall course load, because the unit requirement is higher.
CEUs Required to Renew
| Certification | # of CEUs | Cost | Length of time |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISSA | 20 CEUs | $99 | Every 2 years |
| IPTA | 24 CEUs | Free First Recert ($99 After) | Every 2 years |
| NASM | 20 CEUs | $99 | Every 2 years |
| NCSF | 10 CEUs | $50 | Every 2 years |
| NSCA | 60 CEUs | $50 | Every 3 years |
| ACE | 20 CEUs | $129 | Every 2 years |
| ACSM | 45 CEUs | $30 | Every 3 years |
Ease of Employment
To make life easier for you after you graduate, many personal training certifications come with bonuses like free CPR/AED, free recertification, or even a job guarantee through one of their gym partners.
Employment Bonuses
| Certification | Employment Bonuses |
|---|---|
| IPTA |
|
| ISSA |
|
| NASM |
|
| NCSF |
|
| ACE |
|
| ACSM | N/A |
| NSCA | N/A |
Note: Some of these do not come as bonuses on the basic packages.
Is the Easiest Certification Good Enough to Get Hired?
Every certification in this article is NCCA accredited on the route described, including ISSA through the NCCPT exam and ACE through the $99 exam add-on. NCCA accreditation is the floor to look for. In practice, that means the certification on each route appears in the NCCA’s directory of accredited programs, and all seven did when the directory was checked.
IPTA’s trade-off is that it is newer, so it has less name recognition than the legacy brands, but its CPT clears the same NCCA floor as NASM, ACE and the others.
The practical step is the same no matter which of the seven you pick: check with the gym you want to work at and confirm it accepts an NCCA accredited CPT and whether it names a specific certification. For how accreditation is judged, see NCCA accredited certifications and my best personal trainer certification guide and cheapest personal trainer certifications for the other buyer lenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest personal trainer certification to get?
IPTA is the easiest of the major NCCA accredited certifications to prepare for and earn by the criteria in this article, though not an easier exam. Rookie is the lowest entry price with study tools at $399, including the exam simulator and flashcards, and average study time is 4 to 8 weeks, the shortest of the seven where a figure is available. The $799 MVP is the best value, adding the AI tutor, SurePass AI, weak point training, free unlimited retakes and a free first recertification.
What is the fastest personal trainer certification?
IPTA averages 4 to 8 weeks, the shortest average study time of the seven where a figure is available. NCSF and NASM average 2 to 3 months, and ISSA says as little as 3 months.
What is the hardest personal trainer certification to prepare for?
Of these seven, NSCA asks the most of you, with a technical textbook, no study material with the exam, a test-center-only exam and a $435 retake. ACSM is next, with no study material with the exam and a dense textbook.
What happens if I fail the exam?
You pay the retake fee for the accredited exam and try again. It is free and unlimited on IPTA MVP ($199 per retake on Rookie), and elsewhere it runs from $99 (ISSA, and NCSF in the US and Canada) to $435 (NSCA).
Is IPTA NCCA accredited?
Yes, the IPTA CPT is NCCA accredited. Its specializations are not.
Is the ISSA open-book exam NCCA accredited?
No. ISSA’s open-book exam is not NCCA accredited. The separate NCCPT exam is, and that is the route this article scores for ISSA.
What is the easiest group fitness certification?
My first pick is the IPTA GES: $399 on Rookie, or $799 on MVP, which adds the NCCA accredited IPTA CPT. The GES itself is not NCCA accredited.
My Picks
Want the easiest accredited path overall: IPTA. Rookie is the easiest entry at $399 with the exam simulator and flashcards built in, average study time is the shortest here at 4 to 8 weeks, and the $799 MVP is the best value, adding the AI tutor, SurePass AI, free unlimited retakes and a free first recertification.
Want a guided course with a readable textbook: ISSA, or NCSF if you also want online or test center choice and a $99 retake in the US and Canada.
Want a structured course from a well-known brand: NASM. Give it 2 to 3 months and note the $999 entry price and closed-book exam.
Want a strong online platform and live support: ACE. Plan 3 to 6 months and remember to add the $99 NCCA exam.
Have a strong science background: ACSM or NSCA are realistic if you are comfortable organizing your own study from textbooks, traveling to a test center for NSCA and paying more to retake.
Whatever you pick, make sure you book the accredited exam route and confirm with the gym you want that it accepts an NCCA accredited CPT.
Happy studying.
References
- Trainer Academy, “IPTA certification packages and bundles”, Trainer Academy, https://traineracademy.org/bundle-builder, accessed October 23, 2026.
- International Sports Sciences Association, “ISSA Certified Personal Trainer course”, ISSA, https://www.issaonline.com/products/certified-personal-trainer, accessed October 23, 2026.
- National Council on Strength and Fitness, “NCSF personal trainer certification packages”, NCSF, https://www.ncsf.org/personal-trainer/, accessed October 23, 2026.
- National Council on Strength and Fitness, “NCSF personal trainer certification FAQ”, NCSF, https://www.ncsf.org/personal-trainer/faq, accessed October 23, 2026.
- National Academy of Sports Medicine, “NASM Certified Personal Trainer programs”, NASM, https://www.nasm.org/products/become-a-personal-trainer, accessed October 23, 2026.
- American Council on Exercise, “ACE personal trainer certification”, ACE, https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/personal-trainer-certification/, accessed October 23, 2026.
- American College of Sports Medicine, “ACSM Certified Personal Trainer certification”, ACSM, https://acsm.org/certification/get-certified/personal-trainer/, accessed October 23, 2026.
- American College of Sports Medicine, “ACSM certification candidate handbook, July 2025”, ACSM, https://acsm.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ACSM-Candidate-Handbook-July-2025.pdf, accessed October 23, 2026.
- National Strength and Conditioning Association, “NSCA certification handbook, effective July 1, 2026”, NSCA, https://www.nsca.com/globalassets/certification/certification-pdfs/nsca-certification-handbook.pdf, accessed October 23, 2026.
![The Top 10 Easiest Personal Training Certifications [In 2023]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/tRRuzWVdq1I/0.jpg "Easiest Personal Trainer Certification Guide ([year]) 18")
Hi Tyler! Thanks for the article. In order to take advantage of the ISSA fast track program (4 weeks), you have to sign up for one of their 12 month programs. I was hoping that was not the case.
Hey Aileen, that does appear to be the case. The fast track program helps simplify studying and shorten your study time.
Good morning,
I’m interested in getting my certification for personal use not for training purposes. I want to learn the correct way to exercise, workouts and nutrition. I kindly ask for your opinion on what you suggested is best for me.
Hey Hope, I think an organization like ISSA or NASM would be most optimal for you. They have strong Exercise Science foundations and they both teach the design of exercise programs well. These are currently my two favorite programs.
Hi Tyler,
Are any of the certificates you mentioned able to work overseas? Especially Asian countries?
Hey Phebe, many of these certification organizations do have an international presence, but since I focus primarily on the US and Canada, it would be best for you to call around and see what certifications are accepted at your ideal place of employment.
Hello and good evening!
I’m havinh trouble picking the right cert. I’m thinking the ISSA CPT might be the best one because im a high school coach in two sports and I just want to be able to train other kids in different sports and possibly do virtual training with clients. In this time i might have to shift my work to virtual and trying to become more licensed in my coaching certs. I’m licensed to coach basketball and soccer. What cert would benefit me most? Thank you for your help!
The ISSA certification is definitely great for online training. All of them are good options as these are General personal training certifications. If you are looking to get a strength-and-conditioning certification as well, I suggest checking out the NASM PES or the CSCS if you have a 4 year degree.
Overall. What is the least expensive, easiest and accredited PT course to take out of them all?
Basically, I just need the credentials on paper to start working.
Hey John,
Well do you want to know what the easiest certification is? Or do you want to know what the cheapest personal training certification is? The easiest certification is ISSA, hands down. The cheapest personal training certification is the Action CPT.