NSCA Certification Exams | A Year In Review

Providing this annual summary is one of the requirements stipulated by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the organization that accredits three of the NSCA certification exam programs—the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®), the NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer® (NSCA-CPT®), and the Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator® (TSAC-F®). The Certified Performance and Sport Scientist® (CPSS®) and Certified Special Population Specialist® (CSPS®) certification program will undergo application for NCCA accreditation in the future.

CSCS Exam

In 2023, the CSCS exam was administered to 8,500 candidates (international and domestic) of which 37% passed both sections of the exam. The pass rate for the Scientific Foundations section of the exam was 66% and the pass rate for the Practical/Applied section was 44%. The internal consistency reliability¹ of the Scientific Foundations section and the Practical/Applied section were (respectively) 0.86 and 0.84. As of December 31, 2023, 47,439 professionals held the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist credential.

NSCA-CPT Exam

In 2023, the NSCA-CPT exam was administered to 4,593 candidates with a pass rate of 78%. The internal consistency reliability¹ was 0.86. As of December 31, 2023, 16,434 professionals held the NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer credential. 

TSAC-F Exam

In 2023, the TSAC-F exam was administered to 360 candidates with a pass rate of 88%. The internal consistency reliability¹ was 0.90.  As of December 31, 2023, 1,758 professionals held the Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator credential.  

CPSS Exam

In 2023, the CPSS exam was administered to 151 candidates with a pass rate of 60%. The internal consistency reliability¹ was 0.78. As of December 31, 2023, 285 professionals held the Certified Performance and Sport Scientist credential. 

CSPS Exam

In 2023, the CSPS exam was administered to 58 candidates with a pass rate of 47% The internal consistency reliability¹ was 0.64. As of December 31, 2023, there were 225 professionals held the Certified Special Population Specialist credential. 

[1] Based on forms administered in the United States