Accreditation, explained

Straight answers

ISSA Certification Accreditation: The Complete Guide

Two separate exams explained. Here are the facts so you can choose what fits your career goals.

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The short answer

The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accredits certification exams, not organizations. It is the primary accrediting body for personal training and fitness certifications. Through ISSA's subsidiary, the National Council for Certified Personal Trainers (NCCPT), you can sit the NCCA-accredited NCCPT-CPT exam, a timed, closed-book, proctored exam. This is a separate exam from the ISSA course final exam, which is open book. Every CPT enrollment includes access to the NCCPT-CPT exam; a separate proctoring fee applies.

Two kinds of accreditation

What each accreditation actually means

People use the word "accredited" to mean two different things. Here is the difference.

DEAC · Institutional

DEAC: institutional accreditation

The Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) accredits educational institutions that deliver distance learning. DEAC is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA (the Council for Higher Education Accreditation). ISSA holding DEAC accreditation means the school, its courses, and its educational standards meet federal quality benchmarks.

NCCA · Certification exam

NCCA: certification exam accreditation

NCCA sets the standard for how professional certification exams are developed, administered, and evaluated. It accredits exams, not schools or organizations. Through its subsidiary NCCPT, ISSA offers the NCCA-accredited NCCPT-CPT exam, a timed, closed-book, proctored exam. This is a separate exam from the ISSA course final exam. Every CPT enrollment includes access to it; a separate proctoring fee applies.

More options than anyone else

ISSA's two exam options

ISSA graduates get more exam options than graduates of any other major certification. Your enrollment includes the ISSA course final exam plus access to the separate NCCPT-CPT exam, and you decide which fits where you want to work.

Option 1

ISSA course final exam

  • Open book, open notes, non-proctored
  • Not NCCA-accredited
  • Globally respected and accepted by most major gym chains
  • Designed around applied real-world knowledge, the way trainers actually work
  • Included with your ISSA CPT course, 17,000+ Trustpilot reviews, 95% pass rate

Option 2

NCCPT-CPT exam (NCCA-accredited)

  • Timed, closed book, closed notes, proctored
  • NCCA-accredited, for employers requiring this designation
  • A separate exam from the ISSA course final exam
  • Offered by ISSA's subsidiary, the National Council for Certified Personal Trainers (NCCPT) (acquired July 2020), under its own board
  • Included with every ISSA CPT purchase, standalone or bundle. A separate proctoring fee applies
  • You do not have to take the ISSA course to sit this exam

What your enrollment includes

Your ISSA CPT course includes the open-book course final exam. It also includes access to the separate, NCCA-accredited NCCPT-CPT exam, a timed, closed-book, proctored exam offered by ISSA's subsidiary, the National Council for Certified Personal Trainers (NCCPT); a separate proctoring fee applies. You pick the path that fits where you want to work. ISSA's recommendation: check with your target employer first. Ask their hiring manager which certification they require before you enroll.

About NCCPT

The subsidiary behind the accredited exam

The National Council for Certified Personal Trainers (NCCPT) is a subsidiary of ISSA, acquired in July 2020. NCCPT has its own separate board of directors and offers the NCCA-accredited NCCPT-CPT exam, a timed, closed-book, proctored exam. This is a separate exam from the ISSA course final exam, and you do not have to take the ISSA course to sit it; a separate proctoring fee applies. More information is at nccpt.issaonline.com.

Choose your path

Which path is right for you?

Your enrollment includes the ISSA course final exam plus access to the separate NCCPT-CPT exam. The question is which one matches your goal.

Take the ISSA CPT exam if...

  • You want to get certified and start working as quickly as possible
  • Your target employer accepts the ISSA certification (most major gym chains do)
  • You prefer an open-book format that reflects how real training sessions actually work

Take the NCCPT-CPT exam if...

  • Your target employer specifically requires an NCCA-accredited certification
  • You prefer a timed, closed-book, proctored testing environment
Keep in mind: your enrollment includes the ISSA course final exam and access to the separate NCCPT-CPT exam. A separate proctoring fee applies to the NCCPT-CPT exam.
Employer acceptance

Accepted where you want to work

23,000+

Global partner locations

176

Countries

1M+

ISSA students worldwide

See the full named partner list on our gym partners page.

One enrollment, two exam paths

ISSA CPT course with its open-book final exam, plus access to the separate NCCA-accredited NCCPT-CPT exam. A separate proctoring fee applies. From $89. Job guarantee.

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Is ISSA accredited? +
ISSA offers an accredited exam through its subsidiary, the National Council for Certified Personal Trainers (NCCPT). The NCCA-accredited NCCPT-CPT exam is a timed, closed-book, proctored exam. This is a separate exam from the ISSA course final exam. Every CPT enrollment includes access to it; a separate proctoring fee applies.
Does ISSA offer an accredited personal training certification? +
Yes. The NCCPT-CPT exam, offered by ISSA's subsidiary NCCPT, is NCCA-accredited. It is a timed, closed-book, proctored exam, and it is separate from the ISSA course final exam. Every CPT enrollment includes access to it; a separate proctoring fee applies.
What is the difference between the ISSA exam and the NCCPT exam? +
The ISSA course final exam is open book, open notes, and non-proctored. The NCCPT-CPT is NCCA-accredited, timed, closed book, and proctored. Your enrollment includes the ISSA course final exam plus access to the NCCPT-CPT exam; a separate proctoring fee applies to the NCCPT-CPT exam.
Is the NCCPT part of ISSA? +
Yes. NCCPT is a subsidiary of ISSA, acquired in July 2020. It has its own board of directors and offers the NCCPT-CPT exam at nccpt.issaonline.com.
Do I have to take both exams? +
No. You choose which one to take based on your career goals. If your employer requires NCCA accreditation, take the NCCPT-CPT. If not, the ISSA open-book exam is accepted by most major gym employers.
Does my employer require NCCA accreditation? +
It depends. ISSA recommends calling your target employer's hiring manager before you enroll. Ask which certification they require. That way you know exactly what you are working toward before you spend a dollar.

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Questions about which exam is right for you?

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