Credential Guidelines

• When a person holds multiple certifications, they should all appear after his/her name in order by Education Degree/Eligibility Requirements. 
• The order of certifications is CPSS®, CSPS®, CSCS®, NSCA-CPT®, and then TSAC-F®. 
  • Example: Jane Johnson, CSCS, NSCA-CPT or Jonathan Jordan, CPSS, CSCS
  • Note that a comma follows the person's name, then a space, then the first credential's abbreviation followed immediately by a comma, a space and then the next credential's abbreviation.

*The registered trademark symbol is not needed when the credentials are listed after a certificate holder's name.

Listing the Certified Performance and Sport Scientist® (CPSS®) Credential 

• When the credential is written out, each word except the conjunction "and" should be capitalized. 
  • Example: Certified Performance and Sport Scientist®
• When the credential is abbreviated, use capital letters with no spaces or periods. 
  • Example: CPSS®
• When the CPSS® credential is used in a sentence after a certificate holder's name, a comma should follow the credential mentioned. 
  • Example: Jane Johnson, CPSS, spoke at the conference.

*The registered trademark symbol is not needed when the credentials are listed after a certificate holder's name.

Listing the Certified Special Population Specialist® (CSPS)® Credential

• When the credential is written out, each word should be capitalized. 
  • Example: Certified Special Population Specialist®
• When the credential is abbreviated, use capital letters with no spaces or periods.
  •  Example: CSPS®
• When the CSPS® credential is used in a sentence after a certificate holder's name, a comma should follow the credential mentioned
  • Example: Jane Johnson, CSPS, spoke at the conference.

*The registered trademark symbol is not needed when the credentials are listed after a certificate holder's name.

Listing the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) Credential 

• When the credential is written out, each word except the conjunction "and" should be capitalized. 
  • Example: Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist®
• When the credential is abbreviated, use capital letters with no spaces or periods. 
  • Example: CSCS®
• When the CSCS® credential is used in a sentence after a certificate holder's name, a comma should follow the credential mentioned. 
  • Example: Jane Johnson, CSCS, spoke at the conference.

*The registered trademark symbol is not needed when the credentials are listed after a certificate holder's name.

Listing the NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer® (NSCA-CPT®) Credential

• When the credential is written out, each word should be capitalized.
• There are no spaces before or after the hyphen separating NSCA and Certified. 
  • Example: National Strength and Conditioning Association-Certified Personal Trainer®; NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer®
• When the credential is abbreviated, use capital letters with no spaces or periods. Never split the credential at the hyphen at the end of a line.
• Never refer to the credential as CPT, always NSCA-CPT®.
• There are no spaces before or after the hyphen. 
  • Example: NSCA-CPT®
• When the NSCA-CPT® credential is used in a sentence after a certificate holder's name, a comma should follow the credential mentioned. 
  • Example: Jane Johnson, NSCA-CPT, spoke at the conference.

*The registered trademark symbol is not needed when the credentials are listed after a certificate holder's name.

Listing the Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator® (TSAC-F®) Certification

• When the credential is written out, each word except the conjunction "and" should be capitalized.
• There is not a hyphen separating Certified and Facilitator. 
  • Example: Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator®
• When the credential is abbreviated, use capital letters with no spaces or periods. Never split the credential at the hyphen at the end of a line.
• There are no spaces before or after the hyphen. 
  • Example: TSAC-F®
• When the TSAC-F® credential is used in a sentence after a certificate holder's name, a comma should follow the credential mentioned. 
  • Example: Jane Johnson, TSAC-F, spoke at the conference.

*The trademark symbol is not needed when the credentials are listed after a certificate holder's name.

The CPSS®, CSPS®, CSCS®, NSCA-CPT®, and TSAC-F® seals are registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and cannot be used in a proprietary manner without permission from the NSCA Certification.

The following terms are also registered:
Certified Performance and Sport Scientist®, CPSS®, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist®, CSCS®, NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer®, NSCA-CPT®, Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator®, TSAC-F®, Certified Special Populations Specialist®, CSPS®, NSCA Certification®, and *D®

Where to Find Certification Seals

The NSCA provides all certificates digital certification seal(s) for each certification cycle that can be used on business cards, websites, social media, and e-mail signatures at no cost. To download them, Login to your account on Accredible.com to view your digital certificate and badge.