How do I become a certified personal trainer in Canada?

To become a certified personal trainer in Canada, enroll in an accredited program like the NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) through NPTA. Complete the course, pass the exam, and meet CPR/AED certification requirements.

Is NASM certification recognized across Canada?

Yes. NASM is a globally recognized certification, and through NPTA—its official Canadian partner—your credentials are widely respected by gyms, fitness studios, and employers across Canada.

How long does it take to complete the NASM CPT program?

Most students complete the NASM CPT certification in 4 to 6 weeks, depending on their pace. NPTA offers a flexible online learning model so you can study when it works best for you.

Does NPTA offer mentorship for new personal trainers?

Yes. NPTA provides mentorship throughout the certification journey to help new trainers build confidence, find clients, and create a successful career path.

What is the Corrective Exercise Specialization, and who is it for?

The Corrective Exercise Specialization (CES) helps fitness professionals identify and address muscle imbalances and movement dysfunctions. It’s ideal for trainers working with clients recovering from injury or seeking pain-free performance.

What are the benefits of the Nutrition & Fitness Bundle PLUS?

The Nutrition & Fitness Bundle PLUS includes the NASM CPT, Certified Nutrition Coach, CPR/AED Certification, and mentorship. It’s perfect for those looking to start a comprehensive career in health and wellness.

Is the NASM CPT program available online through NPTA?

Yes. NPTA offers the NASM CPT certification fully online with self-paced modules, making it accessible for students across Canada.

Are NPTA certifications recognized by Canadian employers?

Absolutely. As the official Canadian partner of NASM, NPTA certifications are recognized by most major gyms, health clubs, and private fitness employers in Canada.

Can I pursue multiple specializations at the same time?

Yes, NPTA offers bundles that allow you to complete multiple certifications together, such as the Career Kickstarter or Nutrition Pro Bundle PLUS, saving time and money while expanding your expertise.

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Certified Personal Trainer | CPT

Become a Certified Personal Trainer from the world’s most trusted source of fitness training. NASM is a distinguished name that will stand out to employers, help launch your fitness career, and grow your earning potential in this life-changing industry.

When you choose NASM to become a Certified Personal Trainer, you’ll get access to:

World-class fitness experts
Peer-reviewed content from the brightest minds in the industry
State-of-the-art digital learning platform designed to meet multiple learning styles
A curriculum that is consistently reviewed and updated with the most up-to-date material available
Gain the knowledge and skills to master the art of personal training and positively impact your clients’ lives

Starting at:

CAD 108.25 / month

12 payments

Full Price

CAD 1299.0

One-time payment

Elective Financing Options

View full details

Program details

The NASM CPT Program is a fully online self-study program that can be completed in as little as 4 weeks. This program includes 6 sections, 24 chapters that deep dive through human anatomy, physiology, nutritional concepts, fitness assessments to determine muscle imbalances, training technique and coaching instructions, program designing, behavioral coaching and professional development.

This comprehensive course is built to suit all types of learning with audio chapter summaries, exercise demo libraries, practice quizzes and unlimited practice attempts of the final exam.

This program is perfect for:

Aspiring Personal Trainers: Ideal for those eager to launch a thriving career in personal training, equipped with thorough education and an industry-leading certification.
Career Changers: Perfect for individuals seeking to break free from the 9-to-5 grind and pursue a flexible, rewarding career with control over their own schedule.
Holistic Fitness Enthusiasts: Tailored for those who want to take a comprehensive approach to fitness, integrating nutrition, behavior modification, and strength training into their practice.

Curriculum

Prerequisites

To be eligible for this personal training course, you must have a high school diploma or GED. Additionally, you need a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification. You may enroll in the self-study course before having your CPR and AED certifications; however, you must have them before you take your final exam.

Section 1

7 Infographics | 6 Videos | 2 Audio Lectures | 12 Knowledge Checks

Chapter 1: The Modern State of Health and Fitness
Learn to distinguish your role as a personal trainer, identify common chronic health conditions, differentiate evidence-based practice from fitness fads, and define your scope as a professional.

Chapter 2: The Personal Training Profession
Fitness professionals have the option to work for a variety of employers or to work for themselves. This chapter explores industry growth and the overall career outlook for personal trainers.

Section 2

8 Infographics | 5 Videos | 2 Audio Lectures | 10 Knowledge Checks

Chapter 3: Psychology of Exercise
The role of psychology in fitness and wellness is extremely important. It can deal with several topics, including the way exercise participation affects someone’s mood in both the short and the long term, the effect of weight loss on self-esteem, the motivations to become physically active, and how social influences affect overall exercise behavior.

Chapter 4: Behavioral Coaching
This chapter covers clients’ expectations, assessing behavior change, structuring optimal sessions, communicating effectively, and implementing exercise adherence techniques using behavior change.

Section 3

115 Infographics | 19 Videos | 6 Audio Lectures | 30 Knowledge Checks

Chapter 5: The Nervous, Skeletal, and Muscular Systems
Because all fitness professionals need an understanding of anatomy and the Human Movement System, this chapter covers the fundamentals of the Nervous, Skeletal, and Muscular Systems.

Chapter 6: The Cardiorespiratory, Endocrine, and Digestive Systems
You will learn how to identify the structure and function of the cardiorespiratory system, how to categorize the function of the endocrine system, as well as the digestive system.

Chapter 7: Human Movement Science
You will gain an understanding of the basics of biomechanics and motor behavior as they relate to working as a personal trainer.

Chapter 8: Exercise Metabolism and Bioenergetics
This section of the course breaks down the various energy systems within the body, providing essential insight into the ways we use food for fuel.

Chapter 9: Nutrition
Improving health and fitness means more than just exercise; it also requires a commitment to improve the way the body is fueled. Although specific diet prescription is outside a trainer's scope of practice, this chapter will provide the basics needed to support nutritional discussions with clients and make recommendations on how to support their goals through a healthy diet.

Chapter 10: Supplementation
It is important that the personal trainer understands what supplements are and how to educate clients on risks associated with various supplements. Within you will learn the necessary information to discuss supplementation with a client while remaining within your scope of practice.

Section 4

15 Infographics | 14 Videos | 2 Audio Lectures | 10 Knowledge Checks

Chapter 11: Health, Wellness, and Fitness Assessments
After this chapter, you will be able to explain the importance of assessments, collect and summarize subjective client information, identify steps for conducting body composition assessments, and choose the correct cardiorespiratory assessments on an individual basis.

Chapter 12: Posture, Movement, and Performance Assessments
Posture, movement, and performance assessments are an integral part of the intake process for all clients and will assist the fitness professional in developing customized fitness programs to enhance a client’s well-being.

Section 5

26 Infographics | 102 Videos | 8 Audio Lectures | 42 Knowledge Checks

Chapter 13: Integrated Training and the OPT™ Model
After complete interpretations of assessment results, a comprehensive training program can be developed through application of specific acute variables defined in the NASM OPT™ Model.

Chapter 14: Flexibility Training Concepts
Learn the scientific rationale for flexibility training, proper stretching exercises, stretches for beginners, and more within this chapter of the course.

Chapter 15: Cardiorespiratory Training Concepts
Cardiorespiratory fitness reflects the ability of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems to supply oxygen-rich blood to skeletal muscles during sustained physical activity. You will learn more within the course.

Chapter 16: Core Training Concepts
A properly designed core training program can be a key component of an overall training plan used to achieve a broad range of goals. The objective of core training is the development of core stability, endurance, strength, and power. Learn more within.

Chapter 17: Balance Training Concepts
The ability to maintain postural control or balance is a fundamental component of performance, injury resistance, and rehabilitation that follows an injury. Learn how to incorporate balance training within your clients’ programming.

Chapter 18: Plyometric (Reactive) Training Concepts
You will learn how to explain plyometric training and its three phases, summarize the benefits of the modality, identify proper progressions, and teach proper cueing techniques.

Chapter 19: Speed, Agility, and Quickness Training Concepts
Speed, agility, and quickness (SAQ) trainingis a useful and effective method of fitness training that stimulates muscular, neurological, connective tissue, and even cardiovascular fitness adaptations.

Chapter 20: Resistance Training Concepts
You will learn how to summarize resistance training principles to clients, categorize exercises for different types of goals and adaptations, and employ safe methods and resistance training variables.

Section 6

2 Infographics | 8 Videos | 3 Audio Lectures | 19 Knowledge Checks

Chapter 21: The Optimum Performance Training® Model
Creating and modifying exercise programs for clients can be a complicated process because there are many variables to consider, including the client’s goals, their tolerance for exercise, and their unique physical abilities and medical history. The Optimum Performance Training® Model makes it simple.

Chapter 22: Introduction to Exercise Modalities
Within this chapter you will learn how to categorize different exercise modalities, describe their uses depending on different clients, and determine the correct resistance and proprioceptive uses on an individual basis.

Chapter 23: Chronic Health Conditions and Special Populations
This chapter covers important information and recommendations for assessing and designing exercise programs for clients with selected chronic health conditions or functional limitations.

Final Exam

Successful completion of the final exam is required to become a Certified Personal Trainer. You have 2 exam options:

Option 1. NASM Personal Trainer Certificate (Non-Proctored Exam)
This non-proctored and open-book exam has 100 questions and requires a passing grade of 70%. This exam is administered online only. You will have 3 hours to complete the exam, and you must take the exam within 180 days of your enrollment date.

Option 2. NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NCCA Accredited Certification Exam)
The NCCA is a nationally recognized third-party agency that accredits certification programs which are able to meet and comply with its standards. The NCCA exam is a nationally accredited exam. This closed-book exam has 120 questions. You must pass with a scaled score of 70 or better. This proctored exam can be administered either in-person or online, and you will have 2 hours to complete the test. You must take this exam within 180 days of your enrollment date.

The choice is yours, and selecting which exam to take will depend on your goals.

Certified Personal Trainer | CPT

When you choose NASM to become a Certified Personal Trainer, you’ll get access to:

World-class fitness experts
Peer-reviewed content from the brightest minds in the industry
State-of-the-art digital learning platform designed to meet multiple learning styles
A curriculum that is consistently reviewed and updated with the most up-to-date material available
Gain the knowledge and skills to master the art of personal training and positively impact your clients’ lives

Starting at:

CAD 108.25 / month

12 payments

Full Price

CAD 1299.0

One-time payment

Elective Financing Options

How it works

3 Steps to Go From Your Desk to Your Dream Job Coaching Clients

Get Certified

Choose from our diverse range of science-based certification programs. All courses are 100% online and self-paced to provide a flexible learning experience.

Gain Experience

Build your resume + confidence as a trainer through NPTA's Apprenticeship program. Gain hands-on experience and learn directly from Canada's top leading trainers.

Make Money!

Now that you’re experienced and job-ready, start maximizing your earning potential. Join NPTA’s affiliate program and inspire others to sign up for our top-tier certification programs. Earn up to $600 for every successful referral.

Certified Personal Trainer FAQs

Why should I choose NASM to become a Certified Personal Trainer?

As one of the most trusted sources of fitness training certifications in the world, NASM is a distinguished name that will stand out to fitness employers. When you choose NASM for your Personal Trainer certification, you’ll get access to world-class fitness experts, your top choice of gyms to work for, and much more:

• Peer-Reviewed Content from the Brightest Minds in the Industry
• State-of-the-Art Digital Learning Platform
• Programs Designed to Meet Multiple Learning Styles
• 35+ Years Of Experience Training Fitness Professionals
• 1.5M+ Fitness Professionals Trained
• 100+ Countries with NASM Fitness and Coach Professionals
• 14K+ Gym & Health Club Partnerships
• Optional NCCA Accreditation
• NCCA-Accredited Certification includes Job Guarantee Program**, CPR certification, specializations and more

How long does it take to complete the NASM Certified Personal Trainer program?

You can complete your personal training certification in as few as 4 weeks. In addition to its interactive multimedia-rich content, learning tools, resources, and comprehensive study-planning guide, you can also receive assistance from NPTA Master Trainers when questions arise.

Can I complete the Certified Personal Trainer program while working full-time?

You can complete this program and become a Certified Personal Trainer while also working full-time. The study material is 100% online and self-paced, and can be accessed on a computer, or a mobile device such as a phone or tablet.

What’s the difference between the two Certified Personal Trainer exam types? Which one should I take?

You have the choice between two exams, a non-proctored Certificate exam, and a proctored NCCA-Accredited Certification exam. Here are some of the major differences between the two:

• The non-proctored exam has 100 questions; the proctored exam has 120 questions.

• You have 3 hours to complete the non-proctored exam; you have 2 hours to complete the proctored exam.

• The non-proctored exam is open-book; the proctored exam is not.

• The non-proctored exam confers a Certificate as a Personal Trainer; the proctored exam confers an NCCA-Accredited Certification as a Personal Trainer.

The choice of exam is up to you and in most cases simply depends on what your employer requires. You can also read this blog post to learn more about your options.

What’s the Certified Personal Trainer final exam like?

The non-proctored, online-only exam contains 100 questions that must be answered within 3 hours. This exam is open-book, meaning you can refer to your study materials.

The proctored, NCCA-Accredited exam contains 120 questions that must be answered within 2 hours. This exam is closed-book, so you cannot refer to your study materials.

You will have 180 days from the date of registration to take either of the exam options. An extension for the exam can be purchased by contacting NPTA Student Care Support at 1-778-949-6782.

How is the Certified Personal Trainer final exam administered?

The non-proctored exam is administered online only.

The proctored, NCCA-Accredited exam can be taken online or in-person. For more information, read this blog post.

What if I do not pass my Certified Personal Trainer final exam?

For the non-proctored exam, you have 3 attempts to pass. If you do not pass after 3 attempts, a retest can be purchased by calling NPTA Student Care Support at 1-778-949-6782.

For the proctored, NCCA-Accredited exam, you have one attempt to pass. A retest can be purchased by calling NPTA Student Care Support at 1-778-949-6782.

Do I have to renew my Personal Trainer Certification?

You must recertify every two years to ensure that your Personal Trainer certification remains up-to-date with current best-practice guidelines and skills. You will be required to earn 2.0 NASM approved continuing education units (CEUs) every two-year period, which includes 1.9 CEUs from approved coursework and 0.1 CEUs from the mandatory CPR/AED certification.

Can't find what you're looking for?

Hear from our certified trainers

"I chose to get NASM certified because of its in-depth, evidence-based approach, which I knew would greatly benefit my clients."

Mark Lopez

"I selected NASM certification for its comprehensive and research-driven curriculum, ensuring my clients receive the highest level of expertise."

Martin Chan

"For the past six months, I have been studying hard to become a Certified Personal Trainer with NASM, known for its rigorous exam and strong reputation. Before this, I earned a German fitness instructor license (B-Lizenz). I worked in a gym while studying and really liked the NASM content, especially the OPT model."

Debora

"Becoming NASM Certified is a significant milestone for me. It represents the knowledge and skills I’ve acquired, and my dedication to helping others achieve their fitness goals."

Kevin

"Balancing studying, work, and motherhood was incredibly challenging, but I’m proud to have completed it. This certification enhances my skills for better client service. The Corrective Exercise Specialist course provided advanced techniques for movement impairments, and I’m eager to apply this knowledge to help my clients reach their goals."

Vierra G.

“I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the exceptional education and support I have received at NASM. The knowledge and skills I’ve gained here have been invaluable, and I am truly thankful for the dedication and passion of the faculty and staff.”

Joyce

"I chose the NASM program for its excellent reputation and scientific approach, ensuring I gain the skills to provide top-notch service to my clients. With my NASM certification, I now create personalized training programs to help clients achieve their fitness goals safely and effectively.”

Mahmoud

"I study biochemistry, but my passion is exercise science. Finding NASM was the best choice ever. Completing the course while studying was tough, but it deepened my love for exercise science and equipped me with valuable tools to become a professional personal trainer. Thank you, NASM."

Hossam

"I'm officially a NASM-certified personal trainer and deeply grateful for the program's support in passing the CPT exam! I'm excited to use what I've learned to help clients achieve their fitness goals and transform lives. Certification is just the beginning, and I'm ready for what's next!"

Abigail

"I am now officially a NASM Certified Personal Trainer. I learned so much from this program. As a Certified Personal Trainer, I can now help people achieve their fitness goals and be the best version of themselves! Thank you to everyone who believed in me and helped me in my journey."

Natalya

"NASM made this course extremely enjoyable and very informative. I was able to acquire knowledge and skills that will allow me to be a successful personal trainer. I’ve learned so much information that I would love to implement to empower others and help them achieve their goals. I am truly passionate about assisting others in becoming the best versions of themselves and living healthier and happier lives."

Rodrigo

“I’ve been a Personal Trainer for 8 years and chose NASM for their reputation and flexible schedule. The certification took 4 months at my own pace and was applicable to both my profession and personal routines. I’m excited to use my new credentials to help people achieve their fitness goals and improve their lifestyles. Thank you, NASM!”

Marina

"Training isn't complete without nutrition. For those offering nutritional guidance, the NASM CNC is essential. In my nine years in fitness, it’s been one of the most comprehensive and insightful certifications. The sections on behavior change and coaching skills were transformative. I’m now equipped to assess client needs and provide tailored nutritional coaching for their fitness and lifestyle goals."

Frank

"Enrolling in NASM was one of the best decisions for my career as a Personal Trainer and Sports Nutritionist. The education provided was excellent and equipped me with essential knowledge for the fitness industry. I appreciated the focus on coaching, nutrition, and exercise techniques. Thanks to NASM, I feel empowered to pursue my passion and look forward to further education in fitness, health, and wellness. I highly recommend NASM for expanding your knowledge in the fitness industry."

Savanna

"Throughout the NASM CPT certification course, I've gained a comprehensive understanding of the intrinsic value associated with health and wellness. I take great pride in successfully achieving the designation of NASM CPT. I am enthusiastic about leveraging my acquired knowledge to support and enhance the well-being of my family, friends, and community as a NASM Certified Personal Trainer."

Alex Jung Lee

"In 2018, I became a NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) and Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC), turning a hobby into a full-time job with a busy schedule across two gyms, online clients, and home visits. Being a nutrition coach has enhanced my ability to help clients and added revenue streams to my business. I’m also proud to have been a gym owner for almost a year, enjoying the responsibility and freedom of leading my own team."

Felicitas Avendaño

"𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 💭 𝐝𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞...𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐈𝐓!⁣ Studying at 𝟓𝟕 is so very different than at 𝟏𝟗. Yet very possible.⁣"⁠

Helen

"Time to pass some of this fitness energy down to our youth! Helping to make sure that they play for at least 60 minutes a day."

Darryl

"You can teach an old dog new tricks 😂 something good came out of the pandemic for me!"

Kenneth

Have questions?

Certified Personal Trainer | CPT

Certified Personal Trainer | CPT

Program details

Curriculum

Certified Personal Trainer | CPT