· Pro Trainer Prep · certifications · 4 min read
Certification Renewal: Costs, CECs & Deadlines
CECs, deadlines, and costs for renewing NCSF, NASM, ACE, and ISSA certifications. What happens if you lapse.
Your certification isn’t a one-time purchase — it’s a recurring cost with deadlines, continuing education requirements, and fees that vary significantly between providers. Missing a renewal deadline can mean retaking the entire exam. Here’s exactly what each major cert requires so you can budget and plan accordingly.
For choosing which cert to get in the first place, see our certification guide.
2 years
Standard Renewal Cycle
Most certifications
$99–$199
Renewal Fee Range
Per cycle
20–40
CECs Required
Per cycle (varies)
$200–$600
4-Year CE Cost
Depending on provider
Renewal Requirements by Certification
NCSF CPT renews every 2 years. Requirements: 40 CECs (Continuing Education Credits) and a renewal fee of approximately $100. NCSF offers affordable CE through their own platform, and many third-party providers are approved. CPR/AED must stay current throughout. The 4-year renewal cost (2 cycles) runs roughly $200 in fees plus $150–$200 in CE courses = ~$350–$400 total. See our NCSF review.
NASM CPT renews every 2 years. Requirements: 2.0 CEUs (20 contact hours) and a renewal fee of $129. NASM’s own CE courses range from $99–$399, which can make this the most expensive renewal if you use exclusively NASM-branded education. Third-party options are available and often cheaper. 4-year cost: $258 in fees plus $200–$400 in CE = ~$458–$658. See our NASM review.
ACE CPT renews every 2 years. Requirements: 2.0 CECs (20 contact hours) and a renewal fee of $129. ACE’s own CE courses run $50–$200 each. Like NASM, third-party options can reduce costs. 4-year cost: $258 in fees plus $200–$400 in CE = ~$458–$658. See our ACE review.
ISSA CPT renews every 2 years. Requirements: continuing education (varies by recertification pathway) and a renewal fee of approximately $99. ISSA offers recertification through new course completion or CEC accumulation. 4-year cost: $198 in fees plus $200–$400 in CE = ~$398–$598. See our ISSA review.
NSCA CSCS/CPT renews every 3 years (longer cycle). Requirements: 6.0 CEUs (60 contact hours) and a renewal fee of approximately $85 (members). NSCA membership ($120/year) is required. 4-year cost: roughly $85 + ~$480 membership + $300–$500 CE = ~$865–$1,065 (higher due to membership requirement). See our certification guide.
Key Takeaway
NCSF has the lowest total renewal cost over 4 years (~$350–$400). NASM and ACE run $458–$658. NSCA is the most expensive due to mandatory membership. Factor renewal costs into your certification choice — the cheapest exam fee doesn’t always mean the cheapest credential to maintain.
What Happens If You Miss a Deadline
Most certifications offer a grace period (typically 30–90 days) where you can still renew with a late fee. After the grace period, consequences escalate. NASM and ACE may require you to retake the full exam if your certification lapses beyond the grace window. NCSF and ISSA tend to be more flexible with reinstatement options. NSCA allows reinstatement within a year of expiration with additional fees.
Set calendar reminders 6 months and 3 months before your renewal date. Starting your CE coursework early avoids the panic of cramming credits in the final weeks — which is when you’re most likely to overspend on convenience-priced courses.
How to Renew Without Overspending
CE costs are the variable you can control. The certifying organizations charge premium prices for their own courses, but most accept third-party providers at lower cost.
Free and low-cost CE options: Many organizations offer free webinars and articles that count toward CE credits. NCSF’s own platform has affordable options. Industry conferences often provide CE credits bundled with attendance. Some employers cover CE costs — ask before paying out of pocket.
Strategic CE spending: Use your CE requirements to build toward a specialization rather than checking boxes with random courses. A corrective exercise workshop that costs $200 and earns 10 CECs is better value than five $50 random webinars — it satisfies your CE requirement and adds a marketable skill that raises your rates.
The CE Budget Rule
Budget $50–$100/year for continuing education — that’s $200–$400 over a 4-year certification lifecycle. Spend it strategically on courses that build toward a niche specialty. You satisfy renewal requirements and increase your earning potential simultaneously.
Renewal Costs in Your Total Cost of Ownership
Renewal is a recurring business expense, not a surprise. Include it in your 4-year total cost of ownership alongside initial certification, insurance, and marketing.
Over a 10-year career, the difference between NCSF’s ~$175/year total renewal cost and NASM’s ~$165–$330/year adds up to $1,500–$3,000. That’s money you could invest in specialization courses, marketing, or equipment. It’s not the only factor in choosing a cert — but it’s a real number that affects your bottom line.
The Lowest Renewal Cost Among NCCA-Accredited Certs
NCSF CPT has the most affordable renewal cycle — ~$175/year including CE. Same NCCA accreditation as NASM and ACE, lower ongoing cost.
View NCSF Packages →Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
The Bottom Line
