On April 24, 2014, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) adopted a standard of certification for Division I strength and conditioning coaches. The article provides information and answers to frequently asked questions about the standard.

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists® (CSCS®) are professionals who apply scientific knowledge to train athletes for the primary goal of improving athletic performance. Learn more about becoming a strength and conditioning coach with the NSCA certification! Visit NSCA.com for more information on strength and conditioning jobs, strength and conditioning internships, continuing education and CEUs.

Colorado Springs, CO – Service members seeking a strength and conditioning certification to train their peers can now utilize the Post 911 GI Bill to obtain the only nationally-accredited certification dedicated to the challenges and demands specific to tactical communities.

The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Advocates to Raise the Certification Standards with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitators® are professionals in tactical fields (e.g., military, fire and rescue, law enforcement and other professions) who apply scientific knowledge to improve performance, promote wellness and decrease injury risk. These Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitators help their peers improve on-the-job physical performance and reduce time off due to injury. Learn more about expanding your professional expertise with NSCA’s TSAC-F® certification!

The strength and conditioning profession involves combined competencies for the application of sport/exercise science, administration, management, teaching, and coaching. Its professionals must also comply with various laws and regulations while responding to instances of potential injury, and related claims and suits. This creates remarkable challenges, and requires substantial experience, expertise, and other resources to effectively address them, especially in multi-sport (e.g., collegiate and scholastic) settings.

The steps on this page will help you select the right certification that fits your career goals.

The purpose of this article is to provide information about the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) certification exams that were administered during 2024.

This excerpt from NSCA's Essentials of Tactical Strength and Conditioning explains the importance of third-party certifications on supplements in the tactical population.

The NSCA credentials should always be presented using a standard format. Please review the guidelines prior to listing the credentials.