How long is the program?
Is the program and exam online?
What makes ACE's program different?
average annual income
with a range of $51K - $95K
according to Glassdoor.com
in Personal Trainer Employment between 2022-2032
U.S. Department of Labor
If you have a background in health and fitness and are prepared to take the exam, you can register here.
ACE has provided me with the opportunity to forge my own career path. It has led to the lifestyle of my dreams. Not only has it allowed me to help create life-changing results for my clients but also for myself, my family and my community.
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
ACE has transformed my life. I have found something that is more than a job and am able to help people in ways I could have never imagined. I am extremely proud, successful and happy in what I do.
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
ACE has been, and continues to be the best investment of my life. As a single mom and U.S. Army Veteran with a full-time job, I was able to raise a family while pursuing my certification and am now able to live my passion for helping others.
ACE Certified Personal Trainer, U.S. Army Veteran
96% satisfaction rate!
100% Online| ACE Personal Trainer Textbook |
|---|
| eBook |
| Hardcopy |
| Audiobook |
| ACE Personal Trainer Study Companion |
|---|
| eBook |
| Hardcopy |
x The core of your study program where you will receive step-by-step guidance from start to finish, moving from learning to applying. With an intuitive learning platform, compatible on any device, learning is at your fingertips. ACE U helps you plan, manage and track your course syllabus and offers engaging videos, ACE in Action demonstrations, helpful quizzes and learning activities, and your first practice test.
Learn more about Live Remote Proctor here.
Included with all Study Programs, this exam assesses if you meet the level of competence necessary to earn an ACE Personal Training Certificate.
Upon completion you will earn:
Available for JUST $99.00 as an optional add-on with all Study Programs, this exam assesses if you meet the level of competence necessary to earn an NCCA-accredited ACE Personal Trainer Certification–the highest level of excellence.
Upon completion you will earn:
x Test your readiness to take the ACE Personal Trainer Exam. Number of tests vary based on your Study Program from one (1) to four (4). Each test is unique and can be taken as many times as you like.
x Rooted in the latest evidence-based research in exercise science and deep integration of behavior change, The Exercise Professional's Guide to Personal Training textbook is the main resource of your study program. This new, all-in-one textbook delivers essential knowledge, case studies and ACE methodologies in an easy to understand way so you can efficiently prepare for your exam and use it as a resource as you begin to work with clients and move through your career.
x As a supplement to The Exercise Professional's Guide to Personal Training textbook, the Study Companion focuses on multiple levels of learning through a combination of questions and practical application activities. It will help you not only prepare for your exam with confidence, but also be a knowledgeable and effective personal trainer.
x The core of your study program where you will receive step-by-step guidance from start to finish, moving from learning to applying. With an intuitive learning platform, compatible on any device, learning is at your fingertips. ACE U helps you plan, manage and track your course syllabus and offers engaging videos, ACE in Action demonstrations, helpful quizzes and learning activities, and your first practice test.
Learn more about Live Remote Proctor here.
Included with all Study Programs, this exam assesses if you meet the level of competence necessary to earn an ACE Personal Training Certificate.
Upon completion you will earn:
Available for JUST $99.00 as an optional add-on with all Study Programs, this exam assesses if you meet the level of competence necessary to earn an NCCA-accredited ACE Personal Trainer Certification–the highest level of excellence.
Upon completion you will earn:
x Test your readiness to take the ACE Personal Trainer Exam. Number of tests vary based on your Study Program from one (1) to four (4). Each test is unique and can be taken as many times as you like.
x Rooted in the latest evidence-based research in exercise science and deep integration of behavior change, The Exercise Professional's Guide to Personal Training textbook is the main resource of your study program. This new, all-in-one textbook delivers essential knowledge, case studies and ACE methodologies in an easy to understand way so you can efficiently prepare for your exam and use it as a resource as you begin to work with clients and move through your career.
x As a supplement to The Exercise Professional's Guide to Personal Training textbook, the Study Companion focuses on multiple levels of learning through a combination of questions and practical application activities. It will help you not only prepare for your exam with confidence, but also be a knowledgeable and effective personal trainer.
x Enhance your learning and be confident in your readiness to take the ACE Certification Exam with on-demand study support from ACE Answers. Includes access to ACE Answers Basic plus: Live Q&A Webinars where you can get your questions answered on a variety of topics by an ACE Study Coach. Plus, listen and learn while fellow participants ask questions during these engaging webinars.
Live Q&A Webinarsx This is a supplemental course designed to support your understanding of the anatomy and physiology concepts that serve as foundational knowledge for your career. The course is divided into convenient modules, so you can study more efficiently and effectively. It includes video lectures that will clarify more complex topics and learning activities that will help you practice these concepts in real time. A quiz is also included to help you test your knowledge.
Best Valuex The core of your study program where you will receive step-by-step guidance from start to finish, moving from learning to applying. With an intuitive learning platform, compatible on any device, learning is at your fingertips. ACE U helps you plan, manage and track your course syllabus and offers engaging videos, ACE in Action demonstrations, helpful quizzes and learning activities, and your first practice test.
Learn more about Live Remote Proctor here.
Included with all Study Programs, this exam assesses if you meet the level of competence necessary to earn an ACE Personal Training Certificate.
Upon completion you will earn:
Available for JUST $99.00 as an optional add-on with all Study Programs, this exam assesses if you meet the level of competence necessary to earn an NCCA-accredited ACE Personal Trainer Certification–the highest level of excellence.
Upon completion you will earn:
x Test your readiness to take the ACE Personal Trainer Exam. Number of tests vary based on your Study Program from one (1) to four (4). Each test is unique and can be taken as many times as you like.
x Rooted in the latest evidence-based research in exercise science and deep integration of behavior change, The Exercise Professional's Guide to Personal Training textbook is the main resource of your study program. This new, all-in-one textbook delivers essential knowledge, case studies and ACE methodologies in an easy to understand way so you can efficiently prepare for your exam and use it as a resource as you begin to work with clients and move through your career.
x As a supplement to The Exercise Professional's Guide to Personal Training textbook, the Study Companion focuses on multiple levels of learning through a combination of questions and practical application activities. It will help you not only prepare for your exam with confidence, but also be a knowledgeable and effective personal trainer.
x Enhance your learning and be confident in your readiness to take the ACE Certification Exam with on-demand study support from ACE Answers. Includes access to ACE Answers Basic and Plus, as well as: Facilitated Study Groups where you will stimulate critical thinking and gain a deeper understanding of the concepts vital to your exam and career through peer group discussions led by an ACE Study Coach.
Live Q&A Webinars Facilitated Study Groupsx This is a supplemental course designed to support your understanding of the anatomy and physiology concepts that serve as foundational knowledge for your career. The course is divided into convenient modules, so you can study more efficiently and effectively. It includes video lectures that will clarify more complex topics and learning activities that will help you practice these concepts in real time. A quiz is also included to help you test your knowledge.
*Digital eBooks compatible with desktops (Mac & PC), tablets and smartphones (iOS & Android) only. Cannot be printed.
Learn More
*Digital eBooks compatible with desktops (Mac & PC), tablets and smartphones (iOS & Android) only. Cannot be printed.
The ACE Personal Trainer Study Program gives you the relevant skills to design and apply unique exercise programs based on your clients' goals, abilities and needs.
The program blends evidence-based exercise science with the ACE Mover Method, our signature behavior change philosophy, which will set you apart as a compassionate personal trainer who empowers clients to take the lead in their own journey.
Gain understanding of the personal trainer's responsibilities and ethics as well as their role within the healthcare continuum and in allied healthcare-plus the various avenues of career development.
Discover the principles of behavior change, effective communication, goal setting and teaching techniques to create a credible and trusting client-personal trainer relationship that's vital to your client's success.
Create client programs that improve and maintain health, fitness, weight, body composition and metabolism. Learn about heart rate, blood pressure and circumference measurements, which can be used as a baseline for future progress-plus how to apply exercise progressions to help a variety of clients reach their goals.
Become an expert in the ACE IFT ® Model, a systematic approach to designing and progressing through exercise programs based on the unique abilities, needs and goals of the client. Program design begins with client collaboration, with the ACE Mover Method playing a crucial role. By employing effective behavior-change coaching tools, the ABC Approach enables ACE Pros to empower their clients as active participants in achieving lasting lifestyle changes.
Gain understanding of the considerations for clients with various diseases, conditions, injuries or stages in life, including youth, women during pregnancy and older adults.
Find out how to thrive on the business side of your personal training with legal guidelines and businesses considerations, such as legal forms, insurance, record keeping and risk management that protect clients, stakeholders and you.
That depends on the type of exam you choose and your pace of study. Most people study for 3-6 months.
For the ACE Personal Training Certificate Exam (Non-proctored), it's 100% online and open-book. Because of this, you may be inclined to take the exam sooner. You have 3 hours to complete this exam and unlimited attempts until you pass with 70% or greater.
For the ACE Certified Personal Trainer Exam (NCCA-accredited), you can choose either an in-person proctored exam or an online exam with a Live Remote Proctor. You can register and pay the proctoring fee for this exam through your My ACE Account. You have 3 hours to complete this exam with a score of 500 or greater to earn the mark of certification.
Make sure to check with your employer or future employer and choose the type of credential that meets their requirements.
While there are no prerequisites to purchasing a study program, before you can take the ACE Personal Training Certificate Exam (Non-proctored) you must:
If you plan to take the ACE Certified Personal Trainer Exam (NCCA-accredited) you must:
Depending on which Study Program you choose, based on how you like to learn, you'll have the option of learning through:
With all Personal Trainer Certification Programs, you'll have access to ACE University (our core learning platform) which includes practice tests, video demonstrations and lectures, and exam preparation tips.
With the Plus Personal Trainer Certification Program, you'll have access to Live Q&A Webinars where you can get your questions answered by an ACE Study Coach.
And with the Advantage Personal Trainer Certification Program you have access to both Live Q&A Webinars and our popular Facilitated Study Groups where you will gain a deeper understanding of the concepts vital to your exam and career through peer group discussions led by an ACE Study Coach.
While most people do pass the exam on their first time, it's perfectly okay if you don't! Below are some steps you can take if you need to retake either exam type.
CELEBRATE! You've now joined the highly respected ranks of 90,000+ ACE Pros and are now ready to change lives as a Personal Trainer.
After passing the ACE Personal Training Certificate Exam (Non-proctored) you will have attained the level of competence necessary to earn:
After passing the ACE Certified Personal Trainer Exam (NCCA-accredited) you will hold the most recognized certification in the industry and have meet the level of competence necessary to earn:
As an ACE Pro, you will gain exclusive access to industry-best tools and resources to support and guide you throughout your career. Learn more about why it's great to be an ACE Pro here.
No, provided you stay current on your continuing education credits (CECs) and renew on time. That means completing 20 hours of ACE-Approved CECs (2.0 CECs) during your two-year certification renewal cycles, or about 10 hours (1.0 CECs) per year. However, if you don't complete your 2.0 CECs and your certification expires, you will have to retake the exam. To avoid that scenario, check out our continuing education catalog and consider signing up for CEC Power Pass.
Our ACE Advisors are ready to help you move forward.
Gain the knowledge to get certified in as few as 3-6 months with our flexible Study Programs.
Learn the latest exercise science and behavior change methods that people everywhere are seeking.
Gain practical experience with interactive learning activities and real-world application.
Succeed with the help of ACE Answers, live Q&A and facilitated study groups.
Get access to exclusive groups, networks and tools, like ACE ® Pro Compass, ACE Pro Connect App and the ACE Job Board.
American Council on Exercise reserves the right to discontinue the sale or support of any product at any time, to remove, correct, or update content based on current industry standards, guidelines, or technological advances. Notification will be given to those who have purchased such products six months prior to expiration. No refund will be given for expiring products.
The core of your study program where you will receive step-by-step guidance from start to finish, moving from learning to applying. With an intuitive learning platform, compatible on any device, learning is at your fingertips. ACE U helps you plan, manage and track your course syllabus and offers engaging videos, ACE in Action demonstrations, helpful quizzes and learning activities, and your first practice test.
You have two options for your ACE Personal Trainer Exam:
Learn more about Live Remote Proctor here.
Included with all Study Programs, this exam assesses if you meet the level of competence necessary to earn an ACE Personal Training Certificate.
Upon completion you will earn:
Available for JUST $99.00 as an optional add-on with all Study Programs, this exam assesses if you meet the level of competence necessary to earn an NCCA-accredited ACE Personal Trainer Certification–the highest level of excellence.
Upon completion you will earn:
Test your readiness to take the ACE Personal Trainer Exam. Number of tests vary based on your Study Program from one (1) to four (4). Each test is unique and can be taken as many times as you like.
Rooted in the latest evidence-based research in exercise science and deep integration of behavior change, The Exercise Professional's Guide to Personal Training textbook is the main resource of your study program. This new, all-in-one textbook delivers essential knowledge, case studies and ACE methodologies in an easy to understand way so you can efficiently prepare for your exam and use it as a resource as you begin to work with clients and move through your career.
As a supplement to The Exercise Professional's Guide to Personal Training textbook, the Study Companion focuses on multiple levels of learning through a combination of questions and practical application activities. It will help you not only prepare for your exam with confidence, but also be a knowledgeable and effective personal trainer.
Enhance your learning and be confident in your readiness to take the ACE Certification Exam with on-demand study support from ACE Answers.
All Study Programs include access to:
Additional ACE Answers study support is available based on the Study Program you choose. See description within the grid for details.
Enhance your learning and be confident in your readiness to take the ACE Certification Exam with on-demand study support from ACE Answers. Includes access to ACE Answers Basic and Plus, as well as:
Facilitated Study Groups where you will stimulate critical thinking and gain a deeper understanding of the concepts vital to your exam and career though peer group discussions, led by an ACE Study Coach.
Enhance your learning and be confident in your readiness to take the ACE Certification Exam with on-demand study support from ACE Answers. Includes access to ACE Answers Basic plus:
Live Q&A Webinars where you can get your questions answered on a variety of topics by an ACE Study Coach. Plus, listen and learn while fellow participants ask questions during these engaging webinars.
Enhance your learning and be confident in your readiness to take the ACE Certification Exam with on-demand study support from ACE Answers. ACE Answers Basic includes:
Live Q&A Webinars are where you can get your questions answered on a variety of topics by an ACE Study Coach. Plus, listen and learn while fellow participants ask questions during these engaging webinars.
Facilitated Study Groups will stimulate critical thinking and provide a deeper understanding of the concepts vital to your exam and career through peer group discussions led by an ACE Study Coach.
Enjoy free shipping with the Plus and Advantage Study Programs (only available in the U.S.)
This is a supplemental course designed to support your understanding of the anatomy and physiology concepts that serve as foundational knowledge for your career.
The course is divided into convenient modules, so you can study more efficiently and effectively. It includes video lectures that will clarify more complex topics and learning activities that will help you practice these concepts in real time. A quiz is also included to help you test your knowledge.
A valuable supplement to your reading, you can learn by listening to your textbook anywhere and anytime.
You have two options for your ACE Personal Trainer Exam:
ACE Personal Training Certificate Exam (Non-proctored)
This is an open-book exam and a non-accredited certificate program. To be eligible, you must:
ACE Certified Personal Trainer Exam (NCCA-accredited)
This is an in-person or online, proctored exam and a NCCA-accredited Certification Program. To be eligible, you must:
When you choose ACE, you help fund research and initiatives to help educate and empower communities and organizations to get more people moving.
Decades of research show that weekly physical activity improves health, prevents diseases, and enhances well-being. For over 35 years, ACE has translated this evidence into practical measures that encourage physical activity.
Through partnerships with community organizations, we expand access to essential activities, promoting vibrant, healthy lifestyles for all. Our rigorous research and global insights promote community well-being. Alongside health advocates, we advocate for policies that promote healthier lifestyles globally.
Transparency is core to our values. That's why we publish our annual Impact Report–to showcase achievements, outline commitments, and reflect on lessons learned. It demonstrates the positive outcomes made possible by the support from ACE Pros like you!
Take your exam from the comfort of your home! We are pleased to offer you the option to take your ACE Certification Exam through a Live Remote Proctor.
