Updated October 18, 2026 · AcademyCue Editorial Team
National Academy of Sports Medicine vs NFPT
National Academy of Sports Medicine
Higher score in this comparison
NFPT
National Academy of Sports Medicine vs NFPT: the differences
| Compare | National Academy of Sports MedicineReviewVisitVisit | NFPTReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $47Lower | $299 |
| Typical completion time (weeks) | 4 to 6 | 8 to 12 |
| Recertification period | 2 yearsHigher | 1 year |
| Money-back period | 7 days | 30 daysHigher |
| Exam fee included | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Tutor support | Not confirmed | Yes |
Same on both: Certification type (Fitness), Job support (Yes).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- National Academy of Sports Medicine scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 9.0.
- Price from is lower at National Academy of Sports Medicine: $47 vs $299.
- Recertification period is higher at National Academy of Sports Medicine: 2 years vs 1 year.
- Money-back period is higher at NFPT: 30 days vs 7 days.
- Support channels: only National Academy of Sports Medicine offers Help centre.
- Support channels: only NFPT offers Email.
- Delivery: only NFPT offers In person.
Our verdict on each
National Academy of Sports Medicine
National Academy of Sports Medicine suits adults who want a widely recognised fitness credential they can finish online in 4 to 6 weeks and pay for from $47. The certified personal trainer plan carries NCCA accreditation and a 2-year renewal cycle, though the 7-day window is short against the field.
NFPT
NFPT suits aspiring fitness trainers who want an accredited credential they can earn at home, and the entry route costs $299 as a one-off payment rather than a subscription. Recertification falls due every 1 year, which makes the credential a running cost for working trainers and a heavier commitment than casual learners need.
Score breakdown
| Area | National Academy of Sports Medicine | NFPT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherEntry at $47, then $35 monthly or $349 yearly, with only 7 days to change your mind. | 8.9Entry at $299 is a one-off payment, but renewal every 1 year and a 46 place out of 87 on price keep it mid table. |
| Offer | 8.9fitness credential in 4 to 6 weeks, job support, assessments and a team plan in one programme. | 9.0HigherA 12 months access window, 8 to 12 weeks to completion and 86 courses give room to study and then specialise. |
| Trust | 9.0NCCA accreditation, a 2-year renewal cycle and National Academy of Sports Medicine, LLC as the named provider. | 9.4HigherNCCA accreditation, a 30 days refund promise and 1988 of operating history under the National Federation of Professional Trainers. |
How the counts compare
| Fact | National Academy of Sports Medicine | NFPT |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $47 | $299 |
| Recertification period | 2 years | 1 year |
| Money-back period | 7 days | 30 days |
Pick National Academy of Sports Medicine if, pick NFPT if
Pick National Academy of Sports Medicine if cost, price from, and recertification period matter most.
Pick NFPT if trust and money-back period matter most.
A third option
The TEFL Institute has price from at $40, against $47 for National Academy of Sports Medicine and $299 for NFPT.
The TEFL Institute reviewHow they place
| Ranking | National Academy of Sports Medicine | NFPT |
|---|---|---|
| Online course platforms | 39 of 349 | 47 of 349 |
| Online professional certificates | 10 of 95 | 13 of 95 |
| Fitness, IT and coaching certifications | 5 of 54 | 6 of 54 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | National Academy of Sports Medicine | NFPT |
|---|---|---|
| Accreditation | Ncca | Ncca |
| Delivery | Online | Online, In personCovers more |
| Legal entity | National Academy of Sports Medicine, LLC | National Federation of Professional Trainers |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1988 |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre | Email, Phone |
Online courses
| Fact | National Academy of Sports Medicine | NFPT |
|---|---|---|
| Price per month | $35 | Not confirmed |
| Price per year | $349 | Not confirmed |
| Free tier | No | YesHas it |
| Platform type | Curated | Curated |
| Subjects | Not confirmed | Business |
| Certificate types | Completion, ProfessionalCovers more | Professional |
| Number of courses | 400Higher | 86 |
| Access period | 6 months | 12 monthsHigher |
| Graded assessments | Yes | Yes |
| Team plan | Yes | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | National Academy of Sports Medicine | NFPT | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $47below the median | $299above the median | $79 |
| Typical completion time (weeks) | 4 to 6below the median | 8 to 12above the median | 6 |
| Recertification period | 2 yearsat the median | 1 yearlowest quarter | 2 years |
| Money-back period | 7 daysbelow the median | 30 daysabove the median | 14 days |
Median across 52 listed providers.
Pros and cons
National Academy of Sports Medicine
Pros
- NCCA accreditation gives the certified personal trainer credential standing in the fitness field.
- Completion takes 4 to 6 weeks, so a part-time adult can finish without a classroom.
- Delivery is online, so no travel or fixed class times are needed.
Cons
- The 7-day money-back window sits below the 14-day median across the sites compared.
- There is no free tier, so nothing can be sampled before paying.
- Support runs on phone and help centre only, with no live chat or community channel listed.
NFPT
Pros
- The exam fee is included in the price, so the quoted figure covers the assessment rather than adding a separate exam charge at sign up.
- Tutor support and job support both come with the credential, so study help and steps toward work sit in the same plan.
- Delivery is listed as online and in person, so a candidate can qualify without travelling to a fixed test centre.
Cons
- Recertification falls due every 1 year, so holding a current credential means a repeat payment on a short cycle.
- Support runs on email and phone, so there is no live chat or self service help centre between sessions.
- The entry price of $299 places the brand at 46 of 87 on price, above many cheaper certification routes.
Who each suits
National Academy of Sports Medicine
Who it suits
- Adults moving into personal training who want an NCCA-accredited credential.
- Coaches who want study material alongside a fitness certification.
- Gym owners who need a team plan for new trainers.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who needs a free trial before paying, since there is no free tier.
- Buyers who want a long money-back window, given 7 days.
- IT and Azure exam candidates better served by CrackCerts.
NFPT
Who it suits
- Learners who want a fitness credential finished inside a set window, with the exam fee already covered by the enrolment price.
- Career changers moving into personal training who want job support alongside the study material.
- Buyers who prefer a single payment to a monthly subscription and can plan for a recertification payment every 1 year.
Who should look elsewhere
- Marisa Peer is the pick for a coaching credential, where NFPT's fitness focus is the whole difference.
- CrackCerts suits a it certification track rather than a fitness credential.
- Testprep Training also sits in it, so it makes more sense for technology exam preparation.
Questions about each
National Academy of Sports Medicine
How much does the National Academy of Sports Medicine cost to start?+
The personal trainer programme starts at $47. A separate membership runs at $35 each month or $349 a year, so readers comparing entry price with the cost of staying subscribed should look at both figures before signing up.
Does the certification lead to a job in fitness?+
Job support comes with the personal trainer programme, which is aimed at people changing careers. The credential is NCCA accredited, so employers in the fitness sector recognise the designation.
NFPT
How much does NFPT cost to start, and is the exam charge extra?+
The entry price is $299, and the exam fee is included, so the figure quoted at enrollment covers the assessment rather than adding a separate exam charge on top. A 30 days refund window also applies, which is longer than the 7-day typical window in this category.
How long does it take to finish the certification?+
Most learners move through the material in 8 to 12 weeks, and course access runs for 12 months from enrollment. That gives room for study around work, though the window is fixed rather than open ended, so a slower pace means choosing the start date carefully.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- NFPT vs The TEFL Institute
- National Academy of Sports Medicine vs Future Skills Academy
- National Academy of Sports Medicine vs 101 Blockchains
- NFPT vs Centre of Excellence
- National Academy of Sports Medicine vs Legale Lover
- National Academy of Sports Medicine vs Codecademy
- National Academy of Sports Medicine vs Superior
- National Academy of Sports Medicine vs Afiliados Galícia Educação
- NFPT vs ISSA
- National Academy of Sports Medicine vs Mindvalley