CPTN-CPT Certification Getting Started Guide

Certification Requirements

Candidates must achieve the following within 6 months of passing the theory exam:

  • Be age 18 or older.
  • Hold current First Aid (STANDARD or EMERGENCY) certification.
  • Hold current Adult-Child-Infant CPR C/AED certification.
  • Provide proof of minimum practice experience with either of the following options:
    • Option 1: Submit a signed Personal Trainer Log (PDF, 95KB)totalling 20 hours consisting of:
      • Shadowing a certified trainer up to a maximum of 5 hours of working with a client
      • Mentoring with a certified trainer up to a maximum of 5 hours of working with a client
      • Complete assessment and training of "clients" (consenting friends or relatives) for the remaining hours
    • Option 2: Submit a signed Personal Trainer Log (PDF, 95KB)totalling 20 hours consisting of:
      • Complete assessment and training 4-5 "clients" (consenting friends or relatives) for 5-4 hours
    • Option 3: Submit a completed institutional Degree/Diploma including official/unofficial transcripts in the Health Sciences or equivalent field (e.g. BKin, BPHE, BPhE, etc…). Please contact Education Services for approval.
  • Complete and pass all required practical assessments as directed in the instructions provided.
  • Submit all required documents using our Document Upload page or e-mail to education@cptn.com.

1. Determine level of experience

A) I am a beginner and have no related education or training in the field

Begin with The Art & Science of Personal Training workshop. This optional workshop is geared towards preparing participants to complete the CPTN Personal Trainer certification process. The workshop is intended for candidates who have no formal or post high school education in fitness and prefers an in-class supplemental approach to learning.

Note: National or international candidates unable to attend a workshop are recommended to order The Art & Science of Personal Training: The Essentials (4th Edition) Manual to begin the standard certification process.

B) I am a recent graduate or alumni with a degree or diploma in the field

Students who graduated with a Degree/Diploma in the Health Sciences field (e.g. BKin, BPHE, BPhE, etc…) can skip The Art & Science of Personal Training workshop. We do recommend ordering The Art & Science of Personal Training: The Essentials (4th Edition) Manual as it is the text on which test questions originate.

2. Review the manual and practice for the examination

Students enrolled in their last semester and Veterans are welcome to challenge the CPTN-CPT Theory Exam. We do recommend reviewing The Art & Science of Personal Training: The Essentials (4th Edition) Manual.

Tip: Candidates who want a review challenge can take several one-time Practice Examinations to gain confidence.

Note: Candidates with learning or language barrier difficulties are encouraged to contact Education Services.

3. Complete the Theory Exam and achieve a grade of 75% or higher

We recommend reviewing the components which will be tested from the CPTN-CPT certification page. Candidates who are confident in their current knowledge can begin the CPTN-CPT Theory Exam from the Examinations page.

Tip: Candidates who attempted the exam and failed are advised to review the topics in which a poor grade was achieved before rewriting. Please allow up to 24 hours before attempting to complete the exam a second time.

Important: The exam will begin right after completion of registration and payment. Your score will be shown at the end. If a grade of 75% was achieved, we will then e-mail instructions for the practical exam within 2 business days.

4. Complete the Practical Exam and achieve a grade of 75% or higher

We recommend reviewing the components which will be tested from the CPTN-CPT certification page. You will be given access to training videos, program design templates and instructions for scheduling a Practical Assessor.

Note: Candidates who live in a region where there is no available assessor will be given a distant practical option.

Tip: Candidates who require further clarification with the program design component of the practical examination are recommended to order the CPTN-CPT Online Program Design Tutorial from the Tutorials page.

Important: Please ensure that the requirements for current First Aid and CPR C/AED are submitted or is in the process of being completed. CPTN will not issue a certificate until current proof of completion certificate/card is submitted.

5. Certified and Planning for Certification Renewal

Congratulations! You're now a CPTN Certified Personal Trainer.

Your initial CPTN-CPT certificate is valid for one year from the date of issue before the end of the month.

All CPTN certified personal trainers are expected to keep relevant in terms of continuing education credits (CECs) with Online Courses, Workshops or Conferences and maintain their status through Certification Renewal.

You will be able to renew for 1-Year with CPTN-7 CECs or 2-Years with CPTN-14 CECs. One hour of continuing education equals 1 CPTN CEC. CEC proof of completion including current First Aid and CPR C/AED certificates will be required for Document Submission at the time of renewal.

You are not limited to CPTN affiliated courses and can take related courses from other providers then Petition them for a total of 7 credits. If approved, courses can be submitted as a petitioned credit on the Certification Renewal form.

CPTN recommends trainers to renew certification prior to expiration date to obtain member rates. After the expiration date, member account will be inaccessible. Non-member rates and late certification renewal fees applies thereafter.