Tactical Strength and Conditioning-Facilitator (TSAC-F)
Tactical Strength and Conditioning-Facilitators (TSAC-F) apply scientific knowledge to physically train military, fire and rescue, law enforcement, protective services, and other emergency personnel to improve performance, promote wellness, and decrease injury risk.
They conduct needs analyses and physical testing sessions, design and implement safe and effective strength training and conditioning programs, and provide general information regarding nutrition.
Recognizing their area of expertise is separate and distinct, TSAC Facilitators consult with and refer those they
train to other professionals when appropriate.
The TSAC-F exam is offered in two formats:
Paper/Pencil Exam
The paper/pencil format of the exam is offered at predetermined sites and dates all across the world. If the required documentation that supports the prerequisites has been submitted to the NSCA scores will be mailed 6-8 weeks after the exam.
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Computer-Based Exam
Exams are administered by computer at more than 160 AMP Assessment Centers across the United States. Assessments are typically located in specific H&R Block offices. After you have registered for the Computer-Based exam, you will receive an email with instructions on how to schedule your exam within 3-5 business days from AMP. Candidates can schedule up to two days before the testing date. Exams must be taken within 120 days of registering. If the required documentation that supports the prerequisites has been submitted to the NSCA at least 10 days prior to the exam, scores are received immediately after the exam.
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TSAC-F Paper/Pencil Exam Cost
NSCA Member Pricing
| |
EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE |
REGISTRATION CUTOFF |
| Initial Registration Fee |
$235 |
$270 |
| Retake Fee |
$185 |
$220 |
Non-Member Pricing
| |
EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE |
REGISTRATION CUTOFF |
| Initial Registration Fee |
$370 |
$405 |
| Retake Fee |
$320 |
$355 |
TSAC-F Computer-Based Exam Cost
NSCA Member Pricing
| |
REGISTRATION FEE |
| Initial Registration Fee |
$285 |
| Retake Fee |
$235 |
Non-Member Pricing
| |
REGISTRATION FEE |
| Initial Registration Fee |
$420 |
| Retake Fee |
$370 |
Description
To earn the TSAC-F certification, candidates are required to pass a challenging 3-hour written examination that includes five sections. The test consists of 130 scored and 20 non-scored multiple-choice items.
The exam consists of five sections:
| Domain |
Percent of Exam |
Number of Questions |
| Exercise Sciences |
20% |
26 |
| Nutrition |
10% |
13 |
| Exercise Technique |
20% |
26 |
| Program Design |
35% |
46 |
| Organization, Administration, Testing, Evaluation |
15% |
19 |
| Non-scored Questions* |
- |
20 |
| Total |
|
150 |
| Length of exam |
|
3 hours |
Apply: general concepts of anatomy and
physiology, neuromuscular anatomy and
physiology, basic principles of
biomechanics regarding exercise selection, execution, and operation/mission
performance; DESCRIBE: bioenergetics and metabolism, physiological adaptations
to exercise design, detraining and retraining, expected differences of
trainees; CORRELATE: phases of rehabilitation, and identify environmental
concerns for trainees
Explain: factors affecting health and
performance, strategies for optimizing body composition and maximizing physical
performance and recovery, effects, risks, and alternative of
common performance-enhancing substances, supplements, and their methods of use; DESCRIBE: signs, symptoms,
behaviors, and performance variations
associated with obesity, and altered eating habits and disorders
Teach: safe and effective techniques
including preparatory body and limb position, execution of technique,
correction of improper exercise technique, and spotting for warm-up, resistance training,
plyometric exercise, speed/sprint
technique, general agility, aerobic endurance, flexibility, and alternative modes
Design: training programs that maximize performance, reduce injury
risk, and increase long-term wellness by selecting exercises based on muscle
groups, movement pattern, and job specificity by targeting specific energy
systems, incorporating various training methods and modes; maximizing muscle balance; training programs for an injured trainee to
maintain training status during the rehabilitation and reconditioning period
DETERMINE AND ASSIGN: appropriate exercise intensities, training volumes, work
periods/duration, rest periods, and training frequencies, exercise progression,
APPLY: the principles of periodization, exercise order; specificity, IMPLEMENT: flexibility training
Organize and Administer: the design, layout, and organization of the
training facility, policies and procedures of the training facility, safe
training environment; SELECT AND
EVALUATE: test results
* Explanation of Non-Scored Exam Questions
The TSAC-F exam contains non-scored questions that are being evaluated for future use. Including
this type of question allows the TSAC-F Exam Development Committee to collect
meaningful information about new questions that may appear as real scored
questions on future exams.
Pretesting is accomplished by interspersing
new ("untried") questions throughout the exam (20 nonscored questions
appear in the TSAC-F exam). Only this small number is included so that
additional testing time will not be needed by exam candidates. These questions
are not scored as part of a candidate’s certification exam, and they do not
affect an individual’s pass/fail status. The non-scored questions are scattered
throughout the exam so candidates will answer them with the same effort that
they give to the actual scored questions.
To keep the TSAC-F exam reflective of
current job-related duties, new questions must continuously be introduced and
evaluated. Pretesting is an accepted testing practice that creates a
statistically sound standardized exam and allows candidates to receive scores
that are based only on previously used (“tried”) questions. Nonscored pretest
questions also appear on the computer-based exam format to provide the same
testing experience to all candidates, regardless of which exam format a
candidate chooses.
** NOTE: Please do not send in your supporting documentation until AFTER you have registered for an exam. **
18 Years Old and High School Diploma or Equivalent
To qualify to register for the TSAC-F exam, you must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
CPR and AED Certification
Current CPR and AED certification is also a requirement. If you do not have current CPR and AED certification, you can still register for and take the TSAC-F exam. The NSCA will accept any adult CPR and AED certification obtained by attending a CPR and AED course.
Accepted CPR and AED certifications must include:
- A hands-on training component (certification through a course completed entirely online will not be accepted)
- A skills performance evaluation
- Examples of accepted CPR and AED certifications include:
- American Heart Association (Heartsaver)
- Red Cross (including Blended Learning First Aid/CPR/AED Program)
- National Safety Council
- St. John Ambulance
Although no formal post-secondary course work is required, candidates are expected to understand the fundamentals of biomechanics, training adaptations, anatomy, exercise physiology, program design guidelines that pertain to the unique needs of law enforcement, fire and rescue, and military and special operations.
The NSCA will not release exam scores until documentation of valid CPR and AED certification has been received.
Note:Exam scores are valid one year from the date the exam was taken, the NSCA must receive documentation of valid CPR and AED certification BEFORE the one year mark has passed. After that date, exam scores are considered NULL and VOID and the exam must be re-taken.
Please mail your supporting documentation to:
1885 Bob Johnson Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
FAX: 719-632-6367 (copies of CPR/AED only)
Email: gianna.perry@nsca.com (copies of CPR/AED only)
TSAC-F Study Materials
The CSCS, CSPS, NSCA-CPT and TSAC-F examinations reflect the most current and accepted KSA standards within the health and fitness industries. Further, the examinations may be developed from references that may be in addition to resources listed below. NSCA materials survey important content area, but are not a comprehensive study of the Exercise Sciences.
Suggested Resources
NSCA resources include:
Additional/Optional Resources
NSCA resources include:
Free Resources include:
History of the TSAC-F Certification
In 2005, the NSCA created the Tactical Strength and Conditioning (TSAC) program to address the unique concerns of tactical professionals though a variety of educational resources (i.e., TSAC report, facilitator symposia, and TSAC Conference). After consistent and growing interest in TSAC, the NSCA created the TSAC-Facilitator (TSAC-F) certification in 2012.
The TSAC-F exam is a tool used to identify individuals who apply scientific knowledge to physically train tactical athletes (i.e., military, fire and rescue, law enforcement, protective services, and other emergency personnel) to improve performance, promote wellness, and decrease injury risk. The TSAC-F program encourages a high level of competence among practitioners and raises the standard for strength and conditioning professionals who train tactical athletes.
With that in mind, the NSCA brought together an expert
committee of Tactical, Strength and Conditioning, Exercise Physiology, Dietetics,
and Allied Health professionals. These subject matter experts defined the
breadth of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) and the degree of cognitive
complexity of a TSAC-F to safely and effectively perform their job. The scope
of the TSAC-F exam makes it the most comprehensive tactical strength and
conditioning certification in the industry.
The
NSCA has been a leader of practical application and research of strength and
conditioning for over three decades. In recent years, the focus of the fitness
industry has shifted toward greater specialization. The NSCA envisions this
trend as an opportunity to expand the development of its members and certified
professionals. The TSAC-F was developed to address the unique concerns of
tactical athletes. This specialized certification may give TSAC-F certificants a
competitive advantage in highly sought opportunities in the tactical community.