NSCA Audit of Compliance
Throughout the certification cycle, we conduct an audit of NSCA-certified individuals who have completed the recertification process. We require each randomly selected certificant to share documentation that shows proof of compliance with recertification requirements.
Why Does the NSCA Conduct an Audit?
A compliance audit helps safeguard the reputation and value of all NSCA certifications. It allows us to validate that our certificants are adhering to the recertification requirements for each credential earned. It’s also essential that we make certain our certificants maintain proficiency in the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) related to each NSCA certification.
“This [audit] is part of the NSCA’s overall quality control mechanism and is aligned with the National Commission for Certifying Agencies’ (NCCA) expectations for the maintenance of certification.” – ACS Ventures
What to Expect
Those selected for the audit will be required to submit their CEU documentation and current CPR/AED to the NSCA for verification. Audited Individuals will be notified immediately after paying their recertification fee. Once selected, individuals have 45 days to submit the documentation that supports the information previously submitted online or on the CEU Reporting Form.
If supporting documentation is not provided within 45 days, or the documentation does not substantiate the activities reported or is found not to meet CEU requirements (e.g., the activity falls outside the scope of practice for the NSCA certification held), then the NSCA must deem that the conditions for recertification have not been met. Those individuals will not be recertified.
The Audit, Step-by-step:
- The NSCA randomly selects a percentage of individuals who have recertified.
- Those selected for the audit are notified immediately after they submit their recertification fee.
- Audited individuals must provide proof of all reported CEUs as listed in How to Maintain Your Certification: Policies and Procedures.
- Audited individuals must also provide proof of current CPR/AED certification.
- Documentation must be gathered and submitted to the NSCA within 45 days of receiving an audit notification.
- The NSCA will review and validate supplied documentation to determine compliance.
- If the documentation proves to adhere to the requirements, the audited individual will maintain their certification.
- If the documentation shows non-compliance in any way, the audited individual’s credentials will be revoked.
- Certificates for the current cycle will not be immediately available for those selected for the audit. New certificates will be available after passing the audit.
Gathering and Submitting Documentation
How to Gather Documentation
Check your NSCA account for reported CEUs, or refer to the audit notification letter to help guide you as you gather your supporting documentation. Scan or photocopy your documents and before uploading, ensure they are legible and clearly represent the activity they support. Upload the collected materials via the recertification application in your NSCA Account. Be sure to submit your documentation all together at one time.
Please allow 4-8 weeks for your documents to be reviewed. You will receive an email once your audit documentation has been reviewed. Once the audit has been reviewed and approved, a confirmation email will be sent to you confirming you have completed the audit. A new certificate should be available within two weeks from the approval date.
How to Submit Documentation
Submit online via the Recertification Application in your NSCA Account (preferred):
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- Log in to your account on NSCA.com and navigate to the Certification tab.
- Click "Report CEUs", then "Details" next to the certification that has been audited.
- Click through each category and ensure supporting documentation is uploaded for each activity reported. Be sure to also upload your current CPR/AED certification.
- Once you have confirmed that all your documentation has been uploaded, proceed to the Summary page and click "submit".
- NSCA Staff will then review your documentation for the audit.
Submit via email:
Send documents to recertify@nsca.com with the subject line: Recertification audit
If you cannot upload your documentation online (preferred method), please email us at recertify@nsca.com to let us know you plan to email or mail your documentation. To mail your documentation, send copies to the NSCA Attn: Certification Department, 1885 Bob Johnson Dr., Colorado Springs, CO, 80906. We recommend mailing with tracking information to ensure delivery to our offices.
