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General Information about the CSCS® and NSCA-CPT® Examinations
• What is the content, length, and number of questions on the CSCS examination?
To earn the CSCS credential, candidates must pass an examination composed of two sections.
The Scientific Foundations section, which is 1.5 hours in length, consists of 80 multiple-choice questions designed to assess a candidate's knowledge in the areas of exercise sciences (58 questions on anatomy, exercise physiology, biomechanics, etc.) and nutrition (22 questions).
The Practical/Applied section, which is 2.5 hours in length, consists of 110 multiple-choice questions. Forty of these are in conjunction with a videotape, which mainly assesses competencies in exercise techniques, functional anatomy, and testing procedures. This section contains 39 questions on program design, 39 questions on exercise techniques, 22 questions on testing and evaluation, and 10 questions on organization/administration.
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• What is the content, length, and number of questions on the NSCA-CPT examination?
To earn the NSCA-CPT credential, candidates are required to pass a 3-hour examination that consists of 140 multiple-choice questions. The first 35 questions correspond to a videotape that assesses knowledge primarily on the areas of exercise techniques, functional anatomy, and fitness testing protocols.
This examination contains 28 questions on client consultation/fitness assessment, 49 questions on program planning, 49 questions on exercise techniques, and 14 questions on safety/emergency issues.
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• What is the difference between the CSCS and the NSCA-CPT examinations?
The CSCS certification program was developed for individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in the areas of proper strength and conditioning practices for training athletes in a team setting. To date, over 15,000 professionals from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds hold this credential. This diverse group includes strength coaches, athletic trainers, physical therapists, personal trainers, physicians, chiropractors, researchers, educators, etc.
The NSCA-CPT certification program was developed for individuals who work with both active and sedentary clients in one-on-one situations in a variety of settings including schools, health and fitness clubs, and clients' homes. Currently, over 5,000 professionals hold the NSCA-CPT credential.
To provide further examples of the differences between the CSCS and the NSCA-CPT examinations: A CSCS does not have to deal with a "special" type of client because any particular "medical need" of an athlete is evaluated and addressed by the team doctor or the head athletic trainer at the institution. Also, the team doctor/athletic trainer performs the athlete's initial assessment of health (via a physical examination at the beginning of the school year or season); the CSCS typically does not have anything to do with an athlete until after the athlete has passed the initial physical examination and is ready to begin training.
The NSCA-CPT, however, must perform all of the "client consultation and fitness assessment" on the client. As a matter of fact, it is the initial medical and exercise history review and fitness evaluation that is one of the most critical responsibilities of a personal trainer. Also, the NSCA-CPT may work with training clients who have never exercised or may have pre-existing medical limitations; two situations that a CSCS usually does not have to deal with.
Further, a CSCS is required to understand the more advanced application of exercise program design as it relates to sport performance, whereas, the NSCA-CPT typically does not have to understand advanced program design. Instead, the NSCA-CPT must have a good understanding of the design of exercise programs for a variety of "special populations" (e.g., those who may be pregnant, hypertensive, diabetic, etc.). There are exceptions, however, such as personal trainers who work with competitive athletes.
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• How do the NSCA Certification Commission's certifications differ from others in the industry?
What really sets these credentials apart is the fact that the CSCS and the NSCA-CPT are the only fitness-related credentials to be nationally accredited since 1993 through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the credentialing branch of the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA). Based in Washington, D.C., the NCCA measures the ability of certifying organizations in any industry to accurately discriminate between qualified and unqualified professionals. To earn the recognition of the NCCA, a credentialing body must demonstrate an ability to develop and administer psychometrically sound examinations through a series of criteria, which include:
- The examination is developed from job analysis data gathered from a national study;
- Pass/fail rates and reliability statistics are a matter of public record;
- The policies and procedures of the officers of the organization are determined by a vote of certified members; and
- Examination development involves qualified professionals such as content experts and psychometricians (individuals with expertise in examination development).
Additionally, since the NSCA's inception in 1978, the organization has had a focus on strength training and conditioning. The acknowledged content experts that prepare the examinations are responsible for the rigorous nature that truly discriminates between qualified and unqualified professionals. In fact, based on published data, the CSCS and NSCA-CPT examinations are the most difficult fitness-related certification examinations to pass.
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• How can I verify the accreditation status of the programs of the NSCA Certification Commission?
To verify our accreditation, you can access the web site for the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA) at www.noca.org. Then select "NCCA Accredited Organizations and Their Web Sites," and scroll down to "National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certification Commission."
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• What should I do if there is inclement weather at the location in which I am scheduled to take an exam?
If you are concerned about traveling to your exam administration due to the weather, please contact the AMP weather hotline number at 913-495-4418 to see if your exam has been cancelled.
Should the testing service cancel your exam due to inclement weather, the NSCA Certification Commission will work with you to reschedule your exam.
If your exam is not cancelled but you feel that the weather conditions are unsafe for travel, please contact the NSCA Certification Commission at 888-746-2378, ext. 118, regarding transferring your exam to a different date/location.
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