Free NSCA CEUs - Courses

While I use a structured continuing education plan with a combination of live and online courses, sometimes you just need to fill in the gaps and doing that with free NSCA CEU courses can be handy. While I have not personally completed all of these courses, they are free. There are not nearly as many NSCA free CEU courses as there are for free NATA CEUs and PT CEUs, but this list is a start.

In order to help others trying to use this page, please let me know if there are additional ones I don't have listed or if a link is broken. Click HERE to contact me.

Essential Elements of Running

This is a foundational course that covers the terminology and knowledge they needed to become a running analysis expert. 

Free NSCA CEU Opportunities for Members

The NSCA offers 12 free approved CEUs for members each year.

Additionally, NSCA members gain access to select complimentary quizzes, each for a limited time.  Once the complimentary period ends, the quiz will be offered at standard rates.  The list of current quizzes can be found here.

Gatorade Sports Science Institute

The Gatorade Sports Science Institute offers free NSCA approved CEUs for Certification Strength and Condition Specialists, Certified Athletic Trainers (NATA BOC)

Creatine: What Sports Health Practitioners Need to Know (0.2 NSCA CEUs)

Sleep Tactics for Better Athlete Health and Performance (0.2 NSCA CEUs)

Evidence for the Benefit of Dietary Supplements for Team Sport Athletes (0.2 NSCA CEUs)

A list of all NSCA CEU opportunities can be found here. The information below is a general summary. You should consult the official NSCA CEU page for the most up to date and accurate information regarding your NSCA recertification.

NCSA CEU Categories

The NSCA divides CEUs into 4 categories and you need to have CEUs from at least two categories. 

Category A Attendance  

Attending clinics, conferences, seminars, workshops, or live-streamed events.

Category B Share Your Expertise

Speaking at an event or on a panel, being published, or volunteering with the NSCA. Just to note, teach academic courses does not count toward CEUs.

Category C Educational Activities

This includes activities like First Aid, Internships, college courses, getting an additional NSCA certification, pre-approved home study courses, and personal development.

Category D NSCA Quizzes & Assessments 

Take Earn a passing score on any NSCA or USADA Quiz which includes NSCA Strength & Conditioning Journal (SCJ) Quizzes, NSCA Video Quizzes, NSCA Conference Quizzes, and USADA Coaching Advantage Quiz

Here is a complete list of NSCA Approved Events and NSCA Approved Providers

What if I am dual credentialed ATC CSCS or PT CSCS, do my NATA CEUs count toward my NSCA CSCS Certification CEUs?

The short answer is yes (kind of) as long as the course falls under the scope practice of the NSCA Certificaiton Exam. The NSCA gives a pretty explicit answer that I have provided below:

From NSCA "Only continuing education content that relates to the scope of practice and Detailed Content Outline (DCO) of an NSCA certification exam will be accepted. Below are some examples of acceptable and unacceptable content. If you have questions about the acceptability of a particular activity’s content, contact the NSCA prior to engaging in the activity for credit.”

Examples of Unacceptable Content:

Surgery
Diagnosing
Kinesio Taping
Treatment
Radiology/Imaging
General Business
Group Fitness/Holistic Activities
Unrelated Alternative Health Topics (e.g., hypnosis, acupuncture)
Allied Health Topics beyond the NSCA credential scope of practice (e.g., athletic training, physical therapy or massage therapy specific techniques)"

Examples of acceptable content:

Anatomy and Physiology
Nutrition
Biomechanics
Organization and Administration (Refer to the current DCO for allowed content)
Training Techniques
Sport Psychology
Program Design
Testing and Evaluation
Exercise Technique
Return to Play Reconditioning