– Must have paid in full prior to scheduling the exam date

– Must be at least 18 years of age

– Must have a valid government-issued Driver’s License or Passport

– Must have a minimum high school level or equivalent education

– Must have current Emergency Cardiac Care (CPR) Certification card/certificate or BLS (Basic Life Support) card/certificate in place of CPR card or equivalent to a CPR certification

– Must maintain the confidentiality of the exam content and abide by exam policies as stated in the candidate handbook

– Must agree to adhere to the NESTA Code of Ethics

– Exam candidate may be subject to an audit to verify proof of documentation requirements (show proof of valid CPR card/certification, Driver’s License or Passport, High School Diploma or equivalent)

– Must complete the 120 questions, multiple choice, facilitated proctored exam within 90 days of receiving exam eligibility ID (note, only 100 questions are graded, 20 are ungraded “pretest” questions that are analyzed for future exams)

– PFT exam candidates must take the NESTA proctored exam at a PSI testing center

PSI is the proctored exam provider with one of hundreds of testing sites worldwide.

To locate a PSI testing facility in your area, please click here.

*An additional $45 proctoring fee applies to students living outside of North America.

Individuals with Disabilities and Special Accommodation Needs

Individuals having a disability requiring special accommodations must fill out the “Request for Special Accommodations” form. Requests are decided on an individual basis. Accommodations usually include an allowance for increased examination time. Accommodation requests will be acknowledged through email and/or phone notification within 7-10 business days of the initial request.

For individuals who require a reader, separate accommodations, or other requirements please state your needs and requirements in detail on the Request for Special Accommodations Form. Requests will be considered and a response will be delivered within 10 business days.

Additional policy and procedural information regarding individuals with disabilities or in need of special accommodations for exams.

Scheduling hardship exam candidates will be required to use the “Private Proctoring Exam Option” and will not be eligible to test at a PSI facility. Please visit the Private Proctoring Exam Option page for detailed information and instructions. Approval from NESTA is required before testing.

Before Setting Up an Appointment

Exam candidates must provide one valid government-issued ID bearing a photo & signature. 

Candidates MUST provide the following on examination day:

One Form of ID Required. Must be Valid, Non-Expired Government Issued ID bearing Photo & Signature. Allowable forms of identification include:

A government-issued driver’s license

A government-issued identification card

A current government military-issued identification

A government-issued passport

A permanent resident card

Must SHOW a current Emergency Cardiac Care (CPR) Certification. Photocopies of current and valid CPR cards/certificates are acceptable. Digital format will not be accepted.

Applicant can show an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) card in place of a CPR card/certificate.

Applicant can show BLS (Basic Life Support) card in place of CPR card/certificate.

A letter from an Agency stating that the applicant has passed their CPR or their BLS (Basic Life Support) course is allowed.

Note: CPR for the Professional Rescuer is an accepted CPR course.

Upon eligibility ID assignment, the candidate will receive an email confirmation from NESTA. The name listed in the email confirmation will appear in the PSI testing system. The name given to PSI MUST match the ID presented at the time of the exam. If the legal name, as it was given at the time of ordering, i” incorrect, DO NOT proceed in scheduling an appointment. Please email contact the NESTA Testing Department before setting up your appointment and provide the correct spelling, name change, or designations (i.e. Jr., III, IV, etc.) required for testing. Please note, a middle name or middle initial is not required.

NOTE: If the name does not match, the exam candidate will not be allowed to enter the exam room. Expired identification or paper extensions issued by the government will not be accepted. If you do not have the required identification or require your name to be updated, please contact the NESTA Testing Department before setting up your appointment. All requests must be made in writing and we cannot make any changes within 48 hours of an exam appointment. If the required identification and/or CPR card is not presented at the time of testing, the candidate will not be allowed to test and will be considered as a no-show. Exam fees cannot be refunded and the exam candidate will be responsible for additional testing fees.

Exam candidates must take the Personal Fitness Trainer proctored exam within 90 days of receiving their exam eligibility ID. Exam candidates will be emailed an exam eligibility ID number (from NESTA) and registration link (from PSI) within 24 to 48 business hours of processing an order. Exam candidates are encouraged to make their appointment 15-30 business days or more in advance to guarantee their date, location and time of choice.

To make an appointment by phone:

Call PSI at 1-800-733-9267

Mon. – Fri. Saturday

Eastern Time

8:00am – 8:00pm 9:00am – 5:30pm

Central Time

7:00am – 7:00pm 8:00am – 4:30pm

Pacific Time

5:00am – 5:00pm 6:00am – 2:30pm

Have your exam eligibility ID number available

Confirm the chosen date, time, and location for your exam

Exam candidates who miss their scheduled appointment will lose their exam opportunity and forfeit their examination fees. Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the actual appointment time to allow for processing and entry into the examination room. Exam candidates arriving late will not be admitted to take their exam will forfeit their examination fees and will be responsible for paying additional exam fees. PSI requires at 48-hour prior notice to PSI at 1-800-733-9267 (USA) is required for rescheduling or canceling an exam in order to avoid loss of examination fees and purchased exam opportunity.

NESTA is not responsible for rescheduling, canceling, or making appointments. It is the student’s responsibility to contact PSI directly. If you do not cancel your appointment on time, do not show up for the test or do not provide the appropriate identification, you will be charged an additional exam fee and any prior testing fees paid are non-refundable.

Note: A voicemail message is not an acceptable form of cancellation. Please use the telephone system and speak to a PSI Customer Service Representative or use the PSI website.

All rescheduled exams will be scheduled through PSI. Missed exams and retakes must be purchased through NESTA and an eligibility ID must be provided from NESTA before exam scheduling with PSI.

Your registration will be invalid, you will not be able to take the examination as scheduled, and you will forfeit your examination fee if you:

Do not cancel your appointment 48 hours before the scheduled examination date and time;

Do not appear for your examination appointment;

Arrive after examination start time;

Arrive late before processing;

Do not present proper identification when you arrive for the examination;

Do not present a valid CPR card;

If you do not cancel your appointment on time, do not show up for the test, or do not provide the appropriate identification, you will be charged an additional fee, and any prior testing fees paid are non-refundable.