NSPA Certification Renewal Policy
The expiration date on your NSPA Certificate is two years following the date you successfully passed the exam, which includes the written and all sections of the practical exam.
To maintain your NSPA CPT and CCS certification you must
acquire 24 NSPA Continuing Education Credits every two (2) years. Nutrition & Weight Management requires 12 CEUs every 2 years. Certified Cycling Instructor requires 12 CEUs every 2 years. CPRS requires 24 CEus every 2 years. See more information at the bottom.
You will be given an updated certificate with your new expiration date when you apply and complete the requirements for re-certification. The cost for certification renewal is $75.00, plus a $4.50 service fee; payable at the time you submit CEC/CEU information. In order for your NSPA certification to be valid you must have a current CPR certification. We no longer require a copy of your CPR card.
Fill out the renewal form online with a form of payment. Allow 3-4 weeks to process. You no longer have to fax/mail your proof of attendance for your CEC/CEU’s, but you must keep these records until you receive your new certificate. NSPA reserves the right to ask for copies if needed.
Renewal Frequently Asked Questions
1. Once I sign up for renewal, how long before I receive my new certificate?.
Allow 3-4 weeks to process your renewal certification.
2. What equates to an NSPA CEC/CEU’s?
An NSPA CEC/CEU’s equates to 1 hour of lectures, workshops, course, conferences, etc. that pertain directly to the Health and Fitness Industry. So one hour = 1 CEC/CEU. (NSPA CEC/CEU classes give 2 CEC/CEU per hour.) For CPT and CCS Certifications you need 24 CEUs in order to renew. You must renew every two years by your expiration date. Your expiration date is located on your certificate.
3. Do all of my CEC’s have to be NSPA credits?.
No, CEC/CEU’s may be granted for lectures, online courses, workshops and conferences sponsored by hospitals, colleges, universities, health clubs and other certifying organizations or speakers.
4. What if I have both CPT and CCS certification?
Since the Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) Course is a pre-requisite for the Certified Conditioning Specialist (CCS) course, your re-certification will be for CCS only. Therefore, your expiration date is based on your CCS Certificate date.
5. What if I acquire CEC’s between my CPT and CCS certification?
In order for CEC/CEU’s to apply toward your CCS re-certification, they must be earned after the date of successful completion of the CCS exam.
6. If I have more than 24 CEC’s at the time of my renewal, do the extra credits carry over to the next two-year renewal period?
No, CEC/CEU’s may not be carried over to the next re-certification. Health and Fitness is a rapidly changing industry and we encourage you to expand your knowledge by taking as many courses and workshops as possible on a continual basis.
7. Do college courses count for CEC’s?
Yes, the subject matter must be pertinent to the Health and Fitness industry. You will receive 8 NSPA CEC/CEU’s for each college credit.For example, if you take a 3 credit college course it equals 24 NSPA CEUs. We may need to ask for proof you took the class.
8. What if I present a lecture or workshop?
Hours of presentations given will not count toward your own certification renewal. We encourage you to earn CEC’s on new topics to expand on your current knowledge of the industry.
9. Does valid CPR certification count for CEC’s? .
No, however, a valid adult CPR certification is required for your NSPA Certification to be valid. Always keep your CPR Certification up to date!
10. What qualifies as Proof of Attendance at lectures, workshops, conferences and seminars? .
Any type of Certificate of Completion for the particular lecture. If you are not provided with one, the following things submitted in combination may qualify as proof of attendance.
a) Something clearly stating the topic and number of hours of the lecture; for example, a course syllabus or agenda.
b) Proof of attendance; for example, receipt, copy of canceled check or credit card bill, presenter’s signature.
Note- Since renewal is done online, we do not require that you fax this information but we encourage you to keep it on file in case we have any questions once you have submitted your renewal application. You may digard it when you receive your new certificate in the mail.
Certified Post-Rehab Specialist
If you have successfully completed the CPRS exam, all of the previous information pertains to your certification renewal with the following exception. 15 of the 24 CEC’s necessary for re-certification must be specific to pre or post rehabilitation topics. The remaining 9 CEC’s may be obtained in any of the accepted topic areas referred to above.
Certified Cycling Instructor
If you have successfully completed the CCI exam, you are required to accumulate 12 continuing education credits prior to your certification renewal date. All of these credits must be directly related to group cycling instruction or fitness/exercise field.
Certified Nutrition and Weight Management
If you have successfully completed the Nutrition and Weight ManagementI exam, you are required to accumulate 12 continuing education credits prior to your certification renewal date. These credit can be realted to the nutrition, health, or fitness/exercise field
