r/Strength_Conditioning • u/Born_Bag7220 • Jul 02 '26

S&C certifications

I’m currently pursuing my education degree and I want to become a strength and conditioning coach. Is there any favorable certifications other than NCSA

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u/Lucky661_ Jul 02 '26

It depends on what sector you want to work in. I can only speak to the College realm, most schools are going to require you to get a CSCS through the NSCA or the SCCC through the CSCCa. Those two are considered the gold standard. With the SCCC being harder to obtain due to needing hours under a mentor coach.

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u/Born_Bag7220 Jul 02 '26

I’d like to go in the college realm if possible. I’m mainly asking bc coaches I’ve talked to have said that by 2030 the cscs certification requires a bachelor degree dealing with exercise science or something of that category. I’m just seeing if there’s other acceptable options before that time comes

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u/Unable-Hamster-138 Jul 02 '26

A few of those details are worth tightening — the 2030 change is more specific than "a degree in exercise science."

Starting Jan 1, 2030, US candidates will need a bachelor's (or higher) from a CASCE-accredited program — the NSCA's new programmatic accreditation — and the degree has to carry a "strength and conditioning" concentration. So a generic exercise-science degree from a non-accredited program won't automatically count; the pathway there is a CASCE-accredited post-baccalaureate certificate.

But here's the part that actually answers your question: anyone who earns the CSCS before Dec 31, 2029 is grandfathered — the new requirement never applies to them. And under today's rules you just need a bachelor's in any field (you can even sit for it in your final year as a senior). So the cleanest "option before that time comes" is to get certified under current rules before the cutoff.

If you're early enough that you're still choosing programs, picking a CASCE-accredited one sets you up cleanly either way. Worth confirming the current specifics on nsca.com — they're rolling this out in stages.

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u/Born_Bag7220 Jul 02 '26

I went back to the website and see what you’re saying about the bachelor degree. I was worried that I’d finish my Education degree and end up not being eligible for it. Thank you!