ACE frequently asked questions
Why ACE certification?
The American Council on Exercise's Personal Trainer Certification is designed for fitness trainers providing one-on-one or small-group fitness instruction.
The decision to pursue fitness professional certification is an important
step in being recognized as a competent practitioner in one's discipline.
By becoming ACE® certified, you will be better equipped to empower,
motivate, challenge and retain your clients for the long term. In
addition, ACE-certified personal trainers are in high demand, which is
just one more reason for you to have a positive outlook regarding your
future and the continued growth of your health and fitness career.
The ACE Personal Trainer Certification is continually evaluated and updated to ensure that it includes the most current research in exercise science and keeps today's fitness professionals ahead of the competition. Upon successful completion of the ACE Personal Trainer Certification Exam, you will have demonstrated your knowledge of risk factor screening, fitness assessment, nutrition, exercise science, exercise programming and appropriate progressions, instructional and spotting techniques, lifestyle modification and professional scope of practice.
Am I eligible for Personal Trainer certification?
The following eligibility requirements have been adopted for our Personal
Trainer certification exams.
- You must be at least 18 years of age.
- You must hold current adult CPR and AED certificate at the time of the exam.*
*You may sit for the Paper and Pencil exam without proof of CPR and AED; however, you will not receive your exam results until you provide a CURRENT CPR and AED Certificate. Candidates registering for computer-based testing must have a CURRENT CPR and AED certificate at the time of registration that does not expire prior to the exam date.
Note: Effective January 1, 2009 all new and renewing ACE-certified
professionals in the U.S. and Canada must hold both a current CPR and AED
card to sit for or renew an ACE certification. ACE exam candidates and
renewing ACE-certified professionals outside the U.S. and Canada are
required to hold only current CPR due to differing international laws
regarding AED usage.
How much does it cost to take the exam?
| Paper and Pencil Format (U.S. and Canada) | PT | AHFS | GFI | LWMC |
| First Time | $219 | $219 | $220 | $219 |
| Retake | $135 | $135 | $135 | $135 |
| 2nd ACE Certification | $150 | $150 | $150 | $150 |
| Computer Based Format (Only available in the U.S.) | ||||
| First Time | $249 | $249 | $249 | $249 |
| Retake | $184 | $184 | $184 | $184 |
| 2nd ACE Certification | $199 | $199 | $199 | $199 |
What is Computer-based Testing (CBT)?
CBT is an alternative way to take an ACE fitness certification exam and is
available at more than 200 testing centers throughout the U.S., offering
flexible scheduling options, dates and locations.
All CBT exams are proctored and cannot be taken on personal computers. You may register for a CBT exam 15 to 90 days prior to an exam date. Registration will close and become unavailable once an exam is within 15 days.
Due to limited seating capacity at Computer-Based Testing sites, exam dates and times are subject to sellout.
What Should I Expect on Exam Day?
The ACE Personal Trainer Certification Exam is designed to assess the candidate's ability to make safe and effective decisions within the scope of practice of a personal trainer. The knowledge, skills and abilities tested include developing rapport during initial and subsequent meetings with clients, collecting adequate baseline information and conducting appropriate assessments with clients, designing and modifying client exercise programs to help them progress towards their goals, motivating clients to exercise and adhere to their programs, and always acting in a professional manner within the personal trainer's scope of practice.
What's the exam format?
The ACE Personal Trainer Certification Exam consists of two sections.
- 150-question multiple choice exam: Tests a candidate's knowledge in the five exam content domains.
- Written simulation test with two client scenarios: Tests a candidate's practical knowledge using two real-life situational problems which assess decision-making skills in designing, implementing and modifying an exercise program.
How is the exam scored?
The multiple choice exam makes up 75% of a candidate's final score, with the written simulation problems making up the remaining 25%. Candidates must achieve a combined score of 500 or more points out of 800 possible points to earn an ACE Personal Trainer Certification. It is important to note that the multiple choice exam has 25 experimental items that are being evaluated for potential use on future exams, so only 125 of the multiple choice questions are actually scored.
What's covered on the exam?
Questions on the ACE Personal Trainer Certification Exam are categorized into the following four topic areas, with foundational science knowledge key to the first three content areas.
- Client Interview and Assessment: Conducting appropriate baseline and follow-up assessments is important for client safety and effective program design.
- Program Design and Implementation: Personal trainers must regularly design programs for new clients and also for existing clients each time they reach a goal, have a setback, have a change in their health status and following reassessments of fitness.
- Program Progression, Modification, and Maintenance: Exercise program adherence is a key to long term success. Personal trainers play an important role in helping clients to stay motivated by including appropriate program modifications to help clients stay motivated and progressing towards their goals.
- Professional Role and Responsibilities: It is crucial for personal trainers to conduct themselves according to sound professional ethics to decrease risk of harm to clients and to maintain the trust of the public.
- Foundational Knowledge (Applied Sciences): Personal trainers must understand how injuries, diseases, disorders and medications can impact a client's ability to participate in an exercise program. As such, personal trainers should gain working knowledge in exercise physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, anatomy, motor learning, nutrition, weight management, stress management, basic behavioral sciences and medications and substance abuse.
