How Much Does the NASM Certification Cost?
The National Academy of Sports Medicine, or NASM, is a certification, accredited by the NCCA, personal trainers can acquire to boost their credentials. On the market, there are three options: ACE, NASM and ACSM, and most personal trainers prefer this certification because of the recommendations, acceptance by gyms and the course material. The organization has been around since 1987 and boast more than 100,000 members.
How much does the NASM certification cost?
When signing up for a NASM certification, there are four packages you can choose from on the official website. Each package will have its own inclusions, which we will talk about below, but for the most part, the self-study option will cost $699; the premium self-study option will cost around $700 to $900; the guided study will cost about $1,000; and the all-inclusive package will cost close to $1,300 to $1,800, depending on the promotion being held.
Attending workshops live can cost $1,500 to more than $2,500. For example, courses can be held at various Lifetime Fitness facilities across the United States, and like the self-study options, the live workshops will work just like a classroom, where you will show up on a schedule to meet with your instructor. The average class will meet a total of 15 hours per week. These courses allow you to work side by side an experienced instructor and even work with real-life clients.
Nicole over at pumpsandiron.com said she went the $699 route because she did good at school and didn’t mind studying on her own. She also explains first hand what she did and didn’t like about the program. Julie at PBFingers.com did the same thing and paid $699. She said the extra $40 was worth it for the pro option since it provided access to study materials. She also goes in depth explaining what you should pay attention to when studying for the exam.
NASM certification overview
As stated above, there are four packages you can purchase from the official NASM website: the self-study, premium self-study, guided study and all inclusive package. The self-study option will be the most basic option and will include the CPT exam, textbook, virtual lectures, exercise library, learning modules, client scenarios and quizzes. As the packages go up in price, more features will be added. The premium self-study will include two times more material, while the guided study will have a live workshop, one on one help and an exam prep guarantee. Lastly, the all-inclusive, the most expensive option, will include all of the inclusions mentioned prior and a retest voucher, job guarantee and access to the development program.
When ready to test, the official test must be taken at an official testing center. On the test, there will be 120 questions and you will have two hours to take the exam. The exam will cover assessments, exercise techniques, program design, nutrition, client relations, professional responsibility and research questions.
The NASM is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and is this is known to be heald as the standard for the field.
What are the extra costs?
When you enroll, you must take the exam within 180 days; however, you can pay an additional $75 to extend the limit by 90 days. If you don’t plan on focusing for next six months, then it’s highly recommended you wait.
Outside of the enrollment fees, many students purchase study guides and/or practice tests. While the package does include practice tests, some people argue the test doesn’t reflect the actual exam. Practice tests, if purchased, can cost about $20 to $40.
You must be CPR/AED certified before taking the exam.
If your package doesn’t include a retest voucher and you fail the first time, you will have to pay $199 to take the test again.
Your certification will expire every two years and to be certified, you will have to provide proof of continuing education credits, which can cost about $99 per credit. The NASM estimates about $400 plus the fee to keep your certification active.
The organization offers other certifications that relate to mixed arts conditioning, golf fitness, women’s fitness, fitness nutrition and youth exercise.
Helpful NASM study guides on Amazon
How can I save money?
Payment plans are available for those who can’t afford the tuition up front. These plans on the official website can be as little as $3 per day.
While the NASM is highly rated, there are five popular programs personal trainers choose when it comes to the certifications. These certifications include the ACE, NASM, ISSA, ACSM and NSCA. Each exam will have its own pricing, prerequisites, study materials and recertification policies.
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