Which certification first? CPT vs. CSCS?

[BritishOne]

How much harder is the CSCS exam than NCSA-CPT exam?

I’m interested in getting a first certification as a starter. However, when I glanced at the NCSA’s books, CSCS doesn’t look much more than CPT; am I mistaken? Or is there an easier certification to get a first rung on the ladder?

Whilst I’ve not studied sports science, I do have a bachelor's degree in biological sciences degree. (I’ve got the required CPR and AED certification too.)

[Ronin4help]

What is the premise of your question? Are you more willing to take the easier program? If so, why?

[RichardDuchon]

This

[KyleAaron]

Good, fast or cheap. Pick one.

[BritishOne]

I did ask about a certification that's a first rung on the ladder (i.e. I might go on to do CSCS eventually).

... certification to get a first rung on the ladder?

Also, I'm not convinced that CSCS is the best just because it's a difficult exam. I'm finding the textbook a weird mix of valuable and useless info. The balance doesn't seem right.

For example, what's the use in knowing that luteinizing hormone triggers ovulation or knowing details of the electron transport chain? I learnt all this at university, but it's never helped once in the gym.

In contrast, there seems to be insufficient details about training Masters athletes or how best to combine aerobic and strength training. There are a lot of Masters athletes out there. There are also a lot of sports that demand a mix of aerobic and power training (boxing, tennis, etc). The CSCS textbook certainly mentions these, but in nothing like the same level of detail as the biochemistry at the beginning of the book.

The CSCS book seems to have an strange mix of required knowledge.