Dear NASM-Certified Personal Trainer:

The purpose of the recertification program is to ensure that qualified professionals

maintain entry level guidelines by participating in approved continuing education
programs. Continuing education programs are intended to promote continued
competence, development of knowledge and skills, and enhancement of professional skills
and judgment beyond the levels required for entry-level practice. Continuing education
activities must focus on increasing knowledge, skills and abilities as defined in the most
recent Job Analysis Study (2009).
 Domains of performance are: Basic and Applied Sciences; Assessment; Exercise
Technique and Training Instruction; Program Design; Considerations in Nutrition;
Client Relations & Behavioral Coaching; and Professional Development, Practice &
Responsibility.

To support NASM’s commitment to protect health and safety, the NASM-CPT credential
must be recertified every two (2) years. This ensures that NASM-CPT professionals are
current with best practice guidelines and the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities
described in the most recent job analysis study.

Please note that the NASM website (www.nasm.org) has the most up-to-date listings of
approved continuing education providers, approved continuing education courses, and
guidelines regarding your certification. The website makes it easy to stay current with
recertification announcements, upcoming conferences and workshops, and home study
opportunities. To view information regarding your certification, including your certification
expiration date, and to maintain your current contact information, please login to your
Member Page at our website.

Please review the entire document carefully. For the most current information about
continuing education and recertification, please refer to NASM’s website (www.nasm.org).
If you cannot find an answer to your question, please feel free to contact the NASM
Member Services Department at 800-460-6276, Option 3.

Sincerely,
NASM Recertification Department

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 Recertification Guidelines

NASM Code of Professional Conduct

NASM-CPT credential holders are expected to comply at all times to the NASM Code of Professional
Conduct. A copy of this document can be obtained at NASM’s website (www.nasm.org).

Recertification Fee
Every NASM-CPT credential holder is required to submit a recertification fee to NASM. This fee,
paid every two years, is an administrative fee that supports activities required of the NASM
Recertification Department. The recertification fee for the NASM-CPT credential is $99. The late
recertification fees are: $30 for applications received up to 90-days post-expiration and $50 for
applications received after their grace period and before one year after credential expiration.

Certify for Life

The Certify for Life program is one-time fee of $299. This will eliminate the $99 payment every two
years. Submission of continuing education units and completion of the recertification application
are still required. Late fees are applicable if recertification is submitted after credential expiration.

Expiration of Credential
The NASM-CPT credential will expire if all recertification requirements have not been met by the
certification expiration date. Recertification Applications can be submitted up to one year late if all
continuing education courses have been completed before or within 90 days of the certification
expiration date. Additional fees will apply.

Continuing Education
Continuing education requirements are intended to promote continued competence, development
of knowledge and skills, and enhancement of professional skills and judgment beyond the levels
required for entry-level practice. Continuing education activities must focus on increasing
knowledge, skills and abilities defined in the Job Analysis Study (2009).

Petition Policy for Continuing Education

Non-NASM-approved continuing education courses can be reviewed by peti tion only. A $25 non-
refundable administrative fee is required for each course/event petitioned.

CEU Requirement
The number of CEU’s required is 2.0.
 CEU’s are based on contact hours. Contact hours are defined as the number of clock hours
spent in direct participation in a structured educational format.
 One (1) contact hour is equivalent to point-one (0.1) CEU.

Recertification Audit
There will be a random audit performed on all recertification applications submitted. If your
application is chosen for audit, you will have 30 days to submit all supporting documentation to the
NASM Recertification Department.

Change of Address
Changes in mailing address must be provided to the NASM Recertification Department or
suspension or revocation of the NASM-CPT credential may occur. You can keep your member
information current by logging onto your member page from our website.

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 How to recertify your NASM-CPT certification:
1. Log in to your NASM account and click on the link to the Recertification Portal.

2. Click on My CEUs under the Continuing Ed. Section.

3. Enter your CEUs by choosing Provider/Petition CEUs or Add Other CEUs

4. Include documentation of continuing education courses (e.g., copies of CEU certificates of

completion). A total of 2.0 NASM-approved CEU’s are required. Include a copy of the
front and back of your adult CPR and AED certification.

5. Click on Renewal under the Certifications section

6. Check the box next to your CPT expiration date and click on Renew or Certify for Life

7. You will be directed to the NASM store to pay your recertification fee. A verification email
will be sent once your application has been received.

Category Requirements

Maximum Number of CEU’s Accepted Per Category

Category A Category B Category C Category D
Total Required
Maximum Maximum Maximum Maximum
2.0 CEU’s 1.9 1.5 1.5 0.1

Category A – NASM Approved Provider Offerings

Activities in this category are available through NASM-Approved providers and include:

Possible Activities Number of CEU’s Required Documentation

Workshops As awarded by NASM Certificate of attendance
Conferences As awarded by NASM Certificate of attendance
Symposiums As awarded by NASM Certificate of attendance
Home-study Courses As awarded by NASM Certificate of completion
NASM-Credential Courses As awarded by NASM Certificate of completion
Other Approved Certifications As awarded by NASM Certificate of completion
A maximum of 1.9 CEU’s can be obtained in Category A.

 NASM will determine the number of CEU’s awarded for activities in this category.
 All conferences, workshops and symposiums must be intended for an audience of
health and fitness professionals.

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  A list of current NASM-approved providers is available on NASM’s website.

Category B – Industry Contributions

Activities in this category have been defined by NASM.

 Speaking engagements can be counted only once per topic.
 Topic must be related to health and fitness.

A maximum of 1.5 CEU’s can be obtained in Category B.

Possible Activities Number of CEU’s Required Documentation
Letter of acknowledgement (include
0.1 CEU/
Speaker at a conference description of topic and length of time),
contact hour
Outline of notes
Letter of acknowledgement (include
0.1 CEU/
Panelist at a conference description of topic and length of time),
contact hour
Outline of notes
Primary author in a
0.5 CEU’s Copy of article; writer guidelines
peer-reviewed publication1
Copy of cover, table of contents,
Primary author in a textbook 0.5 CEU’s 500-word summary of contribution
to industry

Category C – Post-Certification Collegiate Coursework

CEU’s are awarded for successful completion of college or university courses, if the
content falls within the Performance Domains defined by the most current Job Analysis
Study, 1st edition.

 In order for a course to be eligible, it must be assigned credit hours and be listed
on the official university transcript.
 Point-one CEU credit hour (0.1) is awarded for each semester credit hour (e.g., a 3
credit course receives 0.3 CEU’s).

A maximum of 1.5 CEU’s can be obtained in Category C.

Possible Activities Number of CEU’s Required Documentation
College/official university 0.1 CEU
Official university transcript
course per official credit hour

 Acceptable courses include those specifically included in the following degree

programs: Athletic Training, Biology, Biomechanics, Community Health, Emergency
Medical Technician, Ergonomics, Exercise Physiology, Exercise Science, Health

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A peer-reviewed publication is one that has been reviewed by an editor and one (or more)
specialists prior to its publication.

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 Science, Human Movement Science, Kinesiology, Massage Therapy, Nursing,
Nutrition, Physical Education, Physical Therapy, and Sport Science.
 General Education requirements are accepted only with relevance to the health &
fitness industry (e.g. Biology, Biomechanics, Business Administration,
Communications, Exercise Physiology, Human Anatomy, and Human Physiology).
 In order for Massage Therapy courses to be accepted, they must be part of an
ACCET-accredited program in good standing.
 Practicum courses, internship experiences and laboratory-format courses are not
acceptable for CEU credit.
 Non-NASM weight training and/or conditioning courses are not acceptable for CEU
credit.

Category D – Emergency Cardiac Care (CPR) and Automated Defibrillator

(AED) Certification: REQUIRED

CEU’s earned in this category are REQUIRED.

 Candidates must maintain and provide proof of current emergency cardiac care
(CPR) certification and automated external defibrillator (AED) certification that meet
the following criteria:
 Must have a hands-on training component (online CPR/AED courses are not
accepted)
 Must include a skills demonstration evaluation from a trained instructor
 Must require the passing of a standardized exam

 Preferred providers include:

 American Heart Association
 American Red Cross
 American Safety and Health Institute
 National Safety Council
 St. John Ambulance
 Emergency Medical Technician

Only 0.1 CEU’s can be obtained in Category D.

Possible Activities Number of CEU’s Required Documentation
Courses providing required Front & back copies of
0.1 CEU
CPR/AED certification current certification card(s)