How long is the program?
Is the program and exam online?
What makes ACE's program different?
To earn an NCCA-accredited ACE Certification, you must pass the ACE Certification Exam. The exam is specific to the ACE Certification you seek. Each exam assesses if you meet the level of competence necessary to earn that certification. Prior to taking the exam, you must meet certain prerequisites. After passing the exam, you will earn a respected credential that can set you on a compelling new career path.
FROM HOME! 
For a limited time, you can now take the ACE Certification Exam from the comfort of your home.
ACE Certification Exams are administered at over 800 proctored testing centers in over 110 countries. Exam dates, times and locations can be found in our exam scheduler. Each ACE Certification Exam consist of 150 multiple choice questions. All candidates must earn the passing point of 500 or greater to earn the mark of certification.
Eligibility requirements vary based on the certification program.
† A list of NCCA-accredited certification programs can be found at: credentialingexcellence.org
†† A list of NBHWC-approved training and education programs can be found at: nbhwc.org/approved-program
Note: Candidates must submit supporting documentation of current NCCA-accredited certifications, degrees and/or work experience prior to registering for the ACE Health Coach exam.
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Register for your ACEYou can register for computer-based testing through the ACE website, by phone, mail or fax. Health Coach pre-approval required for all non-ACE Certified Professionals. Medical Exercise Specialist requires pre-approval prior to registration. All eligibility requirements must be met prior to registering for any ACE Certification Exam. Register Online Register By Mail
Arrive to your exam location and complete the examCandidates should familiarize themselves with the exam site location, parking instructions, and time it may take to arrive there. Candidates should arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the scheduled exam time. Candidates who arrive after the scheduled exam time may be turned away. A current government-issued photo ID with signature (driver's license, passport, military ID) must be presented. The first and last name on your ID must be an exact match to your admission ticket. Exam Locations
Exam candidates who receive a passing mark can immediately access their digital credentials, including a digital ACE Certificate, from their My ACE Account. A Proof of Certification letter is also available.
ACE Certifications are valid for 2 years. To maintain your certification, you must complete 2.0 (20 hours) of ACE-approved Continuing Education Credits (CECs), hold a current CPR/AED with live skills check and pay the recertification fee.
Visit the ACE Career Center to jumpstart your career.
Exam candidates who do not receive a passing mark are eligible to retake the exam.
If a retest voucher was purchased along with a study program, an email notification will be sent informing you that the retake voucher has been added to your My ACE Account. The voucher must be redeemed for registration within 60 days of your failed exam score. The exam itself may be scheduled beyond the 60-day registration window.
If a retest voucher was not purchased along with a study program, you may retake the exam at a discounted rate of $249, for a period of one year from the first exam attempt.
A retake exam can take place as soon as 10 days from the first attempt, but it is recommended to schedule the retake within a realistic timeframe based on how close or far away you were from the passing point.
Visit ACE Answers for helpful study tools, blogs and live webinar events.
While each of our certification exams have similar eligibility requirements, they do differ slightly. Please see a complete list below.
ACE Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor
ACE Health Coach
‡A list of NBHWC-approved training and education programs can be found at: https://nbhwc.org/find-an-approved-training-program/
Note: Candidates must submit supporting documentation of current NCCA-accredited certifications, degrees and/or work experience prior to registering for the ACE Health Coach exam.
Medical Exercise Specialist
* Candidates taking computer-based ACE exam must hold a current CPR / AED certificate at the time of registration, and it cannot expire prior to the exam date. Online CPR/AED courses will not be accepted.
No. You do not need to purchase study materials from ACE in order to sit for an exam. Click here to register for an exam.
Acceptable forms of identification include: A current, government-issued photo identification card with signature and expiration date (i.e., driver's license, passport, passport card, state ID card, green card, AADHAAR, or military ID card). Temporary and expired identification cards will NOT be accepted.
Exam vouchers cannot be extended. Vouchers must be redeemed within 6 months from the date of purchase. Note: This 6-month timeframe is a deadline simply to register for the exam, not a deadline to sit for your exam.
Yes, you must have your legal first and last name as it appears on your current government-issued photo ID on your My ACE Account in order to sit for your ACE Exam. Middle names are not required.
To attain pre-approval to sit for the ACE Health Coach Certification Exam, click here: https://www.acefitness.org/myace/exam-preapproval/hc/.
To attain pre-approval to sit for the ACE Medical Exercise Specialist Certification Exam, click here: https://www.acefitness.org/myace/exam-preapproval/mes/.
To update your name on your My ACE Account, please email ExamRegistration@ACEfitness.org with your request and the required documentation outlined below:
If you are NOT yet an ACE certified Professional, please submit a copy of your current government-issued photo ID.
If you are currently an ACE certified Professional, please submit a copy of your current government-issued photo ID as well as documentation of your name change (e.g., court order for name change, marriage license/certificate, divorce decree).
ACE has compiled the most commonly asked exam preparation questions at ACE Answers: https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/ace-answers/.
Must hold a current adult CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automated external defibrillator) certificate with hands on (in-person or virtual) skills check*.
* Candidates taking computer-based ACE exam must hold a current CPR / AED certificate at the time of registration, and it cannot expire prior to the exam date. Online CPR/AED courses will not be accepted.
The ACE preferred course is the CPR/AED Smart Certification™ App, which allows you to get CPR certified anywhere, anytime in just 90 minutes or less. To view this and other CPR/AED course options, click here!
Exam Registration
You may register for your exam directly through your My ACE Account. If you are registering using an exam voucher, simply click "Sign Up For Exam" on your main dashboard and you will be prompted to select between our two current testing options: Online (at-home) or locally at a testing facility. If you would like to schedule an exam without an exam voucher, simply click here: https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/schedule-your-exam/exam-locations/. You will be prompted to select your preferred method of testing: online (at-home) or locally at a testing facility. Please note: You will need to hold a valid CPR/AED certificate to register for your ACE Exam. Additionally, if you require special testing accommodations, please reach out to ExamRegistration@acefitness.org first for assistance with registration.
ACE does offer special testing accommodations to those who qualify. Given the limitations of each third-party exam site, accommodations offered may vary from site to site. Before registering for your ACE Exam, please contact the ACE Exam Registration Department (ExamRegistration@acefitness.org) with your ADA documentation and request for special accommodations. Once your ADA documentation is submitted, an ACE Representative will review and determine which accommodation(s) can be offered, as well as the soonest Meazure Learning can schedule your exam as there is a 15-30 day waiting period for certain accommodations. If English is not your primary language, then you may qualify for additional time on your ACE Exam. Please email ExamRegistration@acefitness.org with a copy of your passport or birth certificate prior to registering for your exam so an ACE Representative may assist with your registration. Please note: Candidates who require special testing accommodations of any kind should not attempt to register themselves for an exam online through their My ACE Account.
To update the name on your My ACE Account/exam registration, please email ExamRegistration@ACEfitness.org with your request and the required documentation outlined below:
If you are NOT yet an ACE certified Professional, please submit a copy of your current government-issued photo ID.
If you are currently an ACE certified Professional, please submit a copy of your current government-issued photo ID as well as documentation of your name change (e.g., court order for name change, marriage license/certificate, divorce decree).
Specific to in-person testing at an exam site, the soonest you can register for an exam is 10 days in advance of the date you are seeking. Please keep in mind that exam dates and times differ from exam site to exam site.
In-person exams are offered at over 1300 sites worldwide. ACE utilizes the services of Meazure Learning for administration and delivery of exams. For security purposes, computer-based exams are offered only at Meazure Learning-approved, proctored exam sites. To find an exam site in your area, please visit the ACE Exam Registration webpage here: https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/schedule-your-exam/exam-locations/.
Computer-Based
(U.S. and Canada only)
2nd ACE Certification
Formerly ACE Certified Professional
Computer-Based Format
(International)
2nd ACE Certification
Formerly ACE Certified Professional
Simplified Chinese Language Exam
(All Locations)
2nd ACE Certification
If you have purchased an ACE Study Program that includes an exam voucher and you register for your exam prior to your voucher expiration date, then your exam voucher will automatically be applied at checkout.
Post Registration to Exam Day
Once your exam registration has been approved, you will receive an email notification titled, "ACE Exam Admission Ticket: Please Print". All necessary information regarding your scheduled exam will be listed on your admission ticket, including directions and reporting room, as well as any instructions pertaining to parking and/or check-in. You will receive a reminder email from ACE Support seven days prior to your exam. Remember to take your admission ticket with you to your exam, along with your current government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms of government-issued ID include current state ID, driver's license, passport, passport card, AADHAAR card, green card, and military ID card.
To update the name on your exam registration, please email ExamRegistration@ACEfitness.org with your request and the required documentation outlined below:
If you are NOT yet an ACE certified Professional, please submit a copy of your current government-issued photo ID.
If you are currently an ACE certified Professional, please submit a copy of your current government-issued photo ID as well as documentation of your name change (e.g., court order for name change, marriage license/certificate, divorce decree).
If you have been selected for the CPR audit, please upload a copy of your current CPR/AED certificate or card (both sides) here for us to verify: https://www.acefitness.org/myace/cprsubmit.aspx. Upon verification, ACE will remove the hold from your account.
If you have an accounting or payment hold on your account, please contact PaymentPlan@acefitness.org.
Yes, you can (and should) still sit for your ACE Exam even with a hold on your account. However, upon passing your ACE Exam, your certification will not be issued until the hold on your account is cleared.
In the event your ACE Exam is cancelled due to an emergency at the exam site, Meazure Learning will contact you via email and refer you to ACE to reschedule your exam at no additional cost. You may also reschedule your exam directly through your My ACE Account by clicking on "My Scheduled Exams and Results" followed by "Select New Date/Location".
You may cancel your ACE Exam if you no longer plan to attend and do not intend to reschedule. Exams that were registered for using an exam voucher may be cancelled but are not eligible for a refund, and the voucher may not be used for a future exam. If an exam voucher was not used to place a registration and the request to cancel is made at least 30 days prior to the exam scheduled exam date, then a candidate is eligible for a 50% refund of the exam fee paid. Exceptions to the refund policy are considered on a case-by-case basis for documented cases of serious illness, bereavement, natural disasters, or other emergencies. To apply for a refund please email the ACE Exam Registration Department: ExamRegistration@acefitness.org.
You may reschedule your ACE Exam one time for a fee of $149. You must reschedule your exam by 11:59 pm PST the night before your exam. To reschedule, log into your My ACE Account and click on "My Scheduled Exams and Results" under the "My Exam Information" section in the left-hand navigation. Your "Exam Registration" page will load. Next to "Tools & Resources", click on "Reschedule Exam Date". If you are testing with special accommodations, please contact the ACE Exam Registration Department via email (ExamRegistration@acefitness.org) or phone (800-825-3636, ext. 3) for assistance with rescheduling. Candidates who do not attend their exam, nor reschedule prior to the reschedule deadline, will be subject to the first-time exam fee when scheduling a new exam date. Exceptions to the reschedule fee will be considered on a case-by-case basis for documented illness, passing of an immediate family member, inclement weather, jury duty, and military orders. In these instances, a candidate must contact the ACE Exam Registration Department four days prior to their scheduled exam date and provide supporting documentation. All documentation submitted must be on official letterhead, signed, dated, and specifically conflict with the date of your exam. Please note, work conflicts, childcare issues, or lack of/failed transportation, as well as lack of readiness to sit for the exam, are not considered an exception to the reschedule fee policy.
Live Site Exam Day
All ACE Candidates are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner in on the day of their ACE Exam. This includes cooperating with, and being considerate of, the proctor(s) and/or other candidates in the exam room.
The content, including each item (or question) on the ACE Exam, is the property of ACE and Meazure Learning. ACE Examinations are copyrighted, and all exam information is strictly confidential. You are prohibited from retaining, copying, distributing, disclosing, discussing, or receiving any examination content. This includes emailing, copying, or printing files and/or reconstructing content through memorization before, during, or after the exam. Doing so may result in disciplinary action. By proceeding with the exam, you are acknowledging and agreeing that you understand these restrictions and the consequences if you violate these restrictions.
Please report to the reporting room on time for your scheduled ACE Exam.
Be advised: Electronic devices (iPods, MP3 players, headphones, pagers, computers, PDAs, other electronic devices with memory, cameras, smart phones, cell phones, and optical readers) are prohibited. Food and beverages are not allowed in the exam room and smoking is not permitted at the exam site at any time. Personal writing utensils including paper, pencils, and books are not permitted. Jewelry, watches, etc. are not permitted with the exception of engagment rings and wedding rings. Coats, large jackets, hats, hoods, or any other headgear are not permitted in the exam room unless required for religious purposes. Please contact ExamRegistration@acefitness.org prior to your exam if you require accommodations for religious purposes. All other items are subject to the proctor's inspection. Sweaters and jackets without pockets are acceptable. Medicine, including cough drops, are not permitted unless permission is provided in advance. Weapons of any kind are not permitted. It is recommended you dress in layers as the temperature in the room may be unpredictable.
Note: Live test sites offer exam services to multiple agencies. There may be other individuals in the exam room who are sitting for alternate exams. The rules for those candidates sitting for alternate exams may be slightly different than the rules for your exam in terms of exam time, and what is and is not allowed at their computer station.
You will need to bring the following:
If you happen to experience any technical difficulties or have questions/concerns while testing, be sure to speak with the proctor IMMEDIATELY regarding your issue(s).
Note: The proctor is not permitted to assist you with any content-related questions, but is permitted to assist with technical issues. Please do NOT wait until your exam is complete to alert your proctor of any technical difficulties.
Exam candidates for all four ACE Certification programs will have access to a
basic four-function calculator with the following functions: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Candidates will have access to an online calculator that is part of Meazure Learning’s testing platform. Candidates are not allowed to bring their own calculators. This act would constitute cheating and be subject to“ ACE’s Professional Practices and Disciplinary Procedures ”.
Post-Live Site Exam Day
If you experienced an issue during your exam that you would like ACE to be aware of, please email your concerns within 24 hours of your completed exam to the following email address: ExamRegistration@acefitness.org.
The soonest you may retake your ACE Exam is ten days following your failed exam date, unless special testing accommodations are required. However, candidates have up to one year from their first attempt to retake their exam at a discounted price point.
To update your name on your My ACE Account and ACE Certification, please email proof of your name change (e.g., court order for name change, marriage certificate/license, divorce decree) and a copy of your current government-issued photo ID reflecting your current name to ExamRegistration@ACEfitness.org.
ACE Professionals will have immediate access to their digital credential via their MyACE account. From there, Professionals can print, email, and share their certificates on a variety of platforms including social media.
