CSCS

Thecertifiedstrengthandconditioningspecialist(Cscs®)Exam

The CSCS exam is developed and administered by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and delivered by computer at Pearson VUE test centers. It is built from a job task analysis of practicing strength and conditioning professionals, and its detailed content outline defines seven domains in two separately scored sections. The credential is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Exam Pattern

Every question is multiple choice with four answer options. Each section contains 15 non-scored pretest questions that are mixed in with the scored items and cannot be identified, so answer every question as if it counts. The two sections are taken in the same appointment with a scheduled 15-minute break between them.

Section	Questions	Time	WhatItEmphasizes
1 ScientificFoundations .	95 (80 scored + 15 non-	15h .	ExerciseSciences SportPsychology andNutrition , ,
	scored)
2 Practical/Applied .	125 (110 scored + 15 non-	25h .	ProgramDesign ExerciseTechnique Program , ,
	scored)		Implementation andOrganizationandAdministration; ,
			includes30–40videoand/orimageitems

Content Domains

The detailed content outline assigns each domain a share of its section's scored items and a mix of cognitive levels. Recall items test knowledge of facts and values; application items ask you to use that knowledge in a situation; analysis items ask you to evaluate information, such as test results or a program, and choose the best course of action.

Domain	Share	ScoredItems	Recall/Application/Analysis
ExerciseSciences	60%	48	15/26/7
SportPsychology	25%	20	6/12/2
Nutrition	15%	12	3/6/3
ProgramDesign	40%	44	2/21/21
ExerciseTechnique	25%	28	5/15/8
ProgramImplementation	20%	22	3/12/7
OrganizationandAdministration	15%	16	11/5/0

Program Design alone carries 44 scored items, nearly half of them at the analysis level, and Exercise Technique includes most of the video and image items. Candidates historically pass the Practical/Applied section at a much lower rate than Scientific Foundations, so give these two domains the most practice time.

Scoring and Retakes

Raw scores on each section are converted to a scaled score from 1 to 99, and a scaled score of 70 is required to pass each section. Scaling keeps the passing standard equal across different versions of the exam. Results are shown at the test center, and an official score report with domain-level performance is available from Pearson VUE afterward.

Pass both sections

First-time candidates must take both sections. Passing both earns the credential.

Retake only the failed section

A candidate who passes one section retakes only the other, and must pass it within one year of the initial exam date or retake the full exam.

Wait between attempts

At least 30 days must pass between attempts, and after three consecutive unsuccessful attempts a candidate must wait one year before testing again.

Exam at a Glance

ExamAspect	Details
Credential	CertifiedStrengthandConditioningSpecialist(CSCS®) NCCAaccredited ,
Sponsor	NationalStrengthandConditioningAssociation(NSCA)Certification
Eligibility	Abachelor'sdegreeorhigherfromanaccreditedinstitution(oradegreeinphysicaltherapyor
	chiropracticmedicine) orenrollmentasacollegesenior;pluscurrentCPR/AEDcertificationthat ,
	includes a hands-on skills assessment Proof of the degree and CPR/AED is due within one year of .
	passing
Futurerequirement	BeginningJanuary1 2030 US candidateswillneedabachelor'sdegreefromaprogramaccredited , , . .
	bytheCouncilonAccreditationofStrengthandConditioningEducation(CASCE)

ExamAspect	Details
Questions	220 four-option multiple-choice questions: 190 scored and 30 non-scored
Time	Scientific Foundations 1 .5 h; Practical/Applied 2 .5 h; scheduled 15 -minute break between sections
Delivery	Computer-based at Pearson VUE test centers; live remote proctoring is not offered for the CSCS
Registrationfee	$340forNSCAmembers;$475fornonmembers Retakingonesection:$250members;$385 .
	nonmembers
Testingwindow	Theexammustbetakenwithin120daysofregistering;reschedulingorcancelingisfreeupto24
	hours(onebusinessday)beforetheappointment
Scoring	Scaledscore1–99oneachsection;70requiredtopasseach
Recertification	Three-year recertification period: continuing education units (CEUs) current CPR/AED and a , ,
	recertificationfee
Primaryreference	EssentialsofStrengthTrainingandConditioning(NSCA;G GregoryHaffandN TravisTriplett . . ,
	editors)