Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I walk up on an exam day to register?
2. Am I allowed to transfer or cancel an exam date?
3. Which CPR certifications are acceptable?
4. What happens if I don’t have my CPR card or photo ID on the day of the exam?
5. Do I need a calculator for the exam?
6. What am I allowed to bring into the exam room?
7. What is covered on the exam?
8. How long does it take to finish the exam?
9. What is considered to be a passing score on the exam?
10. When will I receive exam results?
11. Are there any initials that I can use after my name if I pass the exam?
12. How long is the certification valid?
13. How do I appeal an exam score?
14. What does third party accreditation mean?
15. How can my employer or a client verify my certification?
16. How can I prepare for the exam?
17. Is a pre–test available to help guide me in preparing for the exam?
18. Can I re-take the exam if I fail the first time? Is the price discounted?
19. How do I request special accommodations to be provided for the exam?

1. Can I walk up on an exam day to register?

No. Registration and payment of the exam fee must be made at least 48 hours prior to the exam session date. Often, exam sessions are closed prior to the 48-hour period due to reaching capacity limits. Register early for the exam date of your choice.

2. Am I allowed to transfer or cancel an exam date?

Yes. You are allowed one transfer of the original exam date without charge. Each transfer after the first one will cost $40. If you choose to cancel an exam date at any time, there is a $35 charge.

3. Which CPR certifications are acceptable?

Accepted forms of adult CPR certification must include a hands-on training component, such as American Heart Association or Red Cross. Online, correspondence, or abbreviated certification courses are not accepted. If your CPR instructor has not issued your certification card, you may use a copy of the course roster. The course roster must show the name of the course, your first and last name, that you successfully completed the course, the instructor’s name, the date and location of the course, and the certification expiration date.

4. What happens if I don’t have my CPR card or photo ID on the day of the exam?

You must show your current CPR card and valid photo ID at on-site check-in on the day of the exam to be admitted to the exam room. If you do not have these items, you will need to transfer to another exam date. If you have already used your two free transfers, a transfer fee will apply.

5. Do I need a calculator for the exam?

All items required to complete the exam (including pencils and calculators) are provided to you during the exam.

6. What am I allowed to bring into the exam room?

Personal items including hats, cell phones (or other electronic devices), non-prescription eyewear, purses, backpacks, study materials, etc. are not allowed in the exam room.

7. What is covered on the exam?

The exam is 150 four-option multiple choice questions. There are five performance areas covered on the exam. In the chart below, the percentage listed after each performance area shows the percentage of questions for that area on the exam.

Core Scientific – 30%
Assessment and Evaluation – 15%
Goal Setting and Adherence – 10%
Exercise Prescription – 35%
Professionalism – 10%

For more information on the exam review the Certified Personal Trainer (CI-CPT) Candidate Handbook.

8. How long does it take to finish the exam?

You are allowed three hours in which to complete the exam. The actual time taken to complete the exam is unique to each candidate. You may leave when you have turned in your exam materials.

9. What is considered to be a passing score on the exam?

The cut-score (passing score) of 70% has been validated statistically. To earn the CI-CPT credential, you must answer 105 questions correctly out of a field of 150 questions.

10. When will I receive exam results?

Exam results will be mailed within two weeks after your exam date. Do not call for your exam results, they will not be given over the telephone. If an employer or potential employer needs to verify your certification status they may call the credentialing certification department at (800) 635-7050.

11. Are there any initials that I can use after my name if I pass the exam?

Yes. If you are successful on the exam and earn the certification, you may use the initials “CI-CPT” after your name. You also may use the Cooper certification logo.

12. How long is the certification valid?

The CI-CPT certification is valid for three years as long as you remain in good standing with The Cooper Institute Certification Board (CI-CB). A certification can be revoked by the Certification Board if a formal investigation shows just cause. Certifications that are kept in good standing are eligible for certification renewal every three years.

13. How do I appeal an exam score?

The Certified Personal Trainer (CI-CPT) Candidate Handbook provides the reasons an exam score can be appealed and the appeal process.

14. What does third party accreditation mean?

This means that an independent organization reviewed our certification practices and found that they meet or exceed certain standards that are common to all quality certification programs. The Cooper Institute Certified Personal Trainer (CI-CPT) program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). NCCA accreditation is considered the gold standard in quality for fitness certifying bodies.

15. How can my employer or a client verify my certification?

Certification verification can be provided to current or future employers or clients by calling (800) 635-7050 and asking for the credentialing certification department.

16. How can I prepare for the exam?

Cooper offers several education courses that are independent of the exam. Please view our course listings to find which ones may best meet your needs. Several study resources are listed in the CI-CPT Candidate Handbook. Exam questions reflect the knowledge and application skills required to perform the job of Personal Trainer. This means that the CI-CPT exam questions are created using multiple resources commonly available within the industry. Therefore, it is likely that the scope of exam questions may exceed the information contained within a single resource or education course.

17. Is a pre–test available to help guide me in preparing for the exam?

We do not currently offer a pre-test or practice exam. To help guide you in choosing a preparation option for the certification exam, view or print a copy of the Course Selection Quiz. Keep in mind that the quiz should only be used to help you identify education preparation methods that may be needed. It is not to be used to predict or indicate your readiness for or performance on the certification exam.

18. Can I re-take the exam if I fail the first time? Is the price discounted?

Yes, you may retake the exam at any time. If you have taken the CI-CPT certification exam within the past year and did not receive a passing score you may be eligible for a discounted retest fee. To receive the retest exam pricing, register with a Program Coordinator by calling (800) 635-7050 as the discount is not available using online registration.

19. I am covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. How do I request special accommodations to be provided for the exam?

You must have a recent (within the past 4 years) professional diagnosis that supports your inclusion under the 1990 ADA to request that special accommodations be provided during the exam process. Complete the Special Accommodation Request Form and return it, along with a copy of the current professional diagnosis, at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled test date.

You may fax the request and documentation to the credentialing certification department at (972) 341-3227 or submit the form by mail or in person. Requests for special accommodations cannot be fulfilled without the proper time notification. If you submit by fax or mail it is your responsibility to confirm with us that the request was received.