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Go further as an ACE
Certified Health Coach

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Ready to get moving?

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Earn the most recognized
certification that opens doors

Just some of what you can do:

  • Virtual Wellness Coach
  • Nutrition Coach
  • Corporate Wellness Coordinator
  • Behavioral Health Case Manager
  • Healthcare Professional

Countless places you can work:

  • Gym/Health Club
  • Healthcare/Hospitals
  • Public Health Organizations
  • Major Corporations
  • University/Campus

Get paid to do what you love!

$53,000

average annual income

with a range of $41K - $69K

according to Glassdoor.com

7%

Expected increase

in Health Coach Employment between 2022-2032

U.S. Department of Labor

Transform your life, and the lives of others

As a health coach you will help people increase their awareness and capacity for change. You will empower those struggling to make their intentions a reality by awakening them to their own unique skills, strengths, abilities and untapped potential through behavior-change techniques. You will coach people to optimize their health and well-being so they can truly thrive in their lives.

Becoming a health coach opens new opportunities for a wide range of health, wellness and exercise professionals. Whether you work within the healthcare field, the fitness industry, the workplace environment or community settings, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to meaningfully impact the health and well-being of a diverse array of individuals.

Rooted in behavior-change science and the principles of lifestyle medicine, the study program addresses the core competencies of health coaching within a single learning experience. You will learn practical and effective strategies such as active listening, motivational interviewing, and client-centered goal-setting as powerful tools that can be implemented to facilitate lifestyle change and positively impact health and well-being.

Your path to a rewarding career

1

Choose your
Study Program

Compare Programs
2

Start your
online learning

See How You'll Learn
3

Pass your
Certification Exam

View Prerequisites

If you have a background in health and fitness and are prepared to take the exam, you can register here.

90,000 ACE Certified Pros, 35 Million Lives Moved!

My ACE Certification provides me serious credibility. There are so many people calling themselves 'coaches' out there but they're lacking the credentials. ACE allows me to put my clients' minds at ease knowing I'm trained, educated and credible. I am so proud to be ACE Certified!

Niki Campbell

ACE Certified Health Coach

ACE has an excellent reputation. Knowing that the health coaching certification was NCCA-accredited was very important to me. I am very satisfied with the variety of education offered by ACE, and will continue to complete the bulk of my continuing education through them, while encouraging my colleagues in the field to do the same!

Marianna Cardoza

ACE Certified Health Coach

The ACE Health Coach study experience was simple and engaging—I love how all the material is rooted in behavior change. Physiology is interesting but can be presented as a dry subject. I did not feel this way with the ACE Health Coach Study Program and I always looked forward to the curriculum.

Stephanie H.

ACE Certified Health Coach

Choose your Study Program

96% satisfaction rate!

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Sale

Basic

$850

Most Popular
Sale

Plus

$990

Best Value
Sale

Advantage

$1,495

Feature      
ACE University      
Video Lectures
ACE in Action: Video Coaching Sessions
Quizzes and Knowledge Checks
ACE in Action: Audio Coaching Sessions 3 8 8
ACE Certification Exam
Practice Tests 1 2 3
ACE Health Coach Textbook      
Digital
Hardcopy
Audiobook
ACE Health Coach Study Companion      
Digital
Hardcopy
ACE Answers Study Support      
Live Q&A Webinars
Health Coach Live Class
Free Shipping (USA Only)
100% Online
Sale

Basic

$850

What's Included
  • ACE University
    • Video Lectures
    • ACE in Action: Video Coaching Sessions
    • Quizzes and Knowledge Checks
    • ACE in Action: Audio Coaching Sessions (3 Sessions)
  • ACE Certification Exam
    x

    Good for 6 months from the purchase date of your study program, our electronic exam vouchers allow you to easily register for an exam administered at a site near you without any additional cost. To redeem, simply follow the instructions in your My ACE Account, which you will create upon checkout. You will not receive a voucher in the mail or email. Exam vouchers are non-refundable and non-transferable.

  • Practice Test (1)
    x

    Basic includes 1 untimed ACE Practice Test, so you can prepare for the exam with confidence!

  • ACE Health Coach Textbook
    Digital
  • ACE Health Coach Study Companion
    Digital
  • ACE Answers (Basic)
    x

    Enhance your learning and be confident in your readiness to take the ACE Health Coach Certification Exam with on-demand study support from ACE Answers.

    Includes access to Live Q&A Webinars where you can get your questions answered on a variety of topics by an ACE Study Coach. You'll also be able to listen and learn while fellow participants ask questions during these engaging webinars.

    Live Q&A Webinars
Most Popular
Sale

Plus

$990

What's Included
  • ACE University
    • Video Lectures
    • ACE in Action: Video Coaching Sessions
    • Quizzes and Knowledge Checks
    • ACE in Action: Audio Coaching Sessions (8 Sessions)
  • ACE Certification Exam
    x

    Good for 6 months from the purchase date of your study program, our electronic exam vouchers allow you to easily register for an exam administered at a site near you without any additional cost. To redeem, simply follow the instructions in your My ACE Account, which you will create upon checkout. You will not receive a voucher in the mail or email. Exam vouchers are non-refundable and non-transferable.

  • Practice Tests (2)
    x

    Prepare for the exam with confidence! Plus includes 2 untimed ACE Practice Tests.

  • ACE Health Coach Textbook
    Digital
    Hard Copy
    Audiobook
  • ACE Health Coach Study Companion
    Digital
    Hard Copy
  • ACE Answers (Plus)
    x

    Enhance your learning and be confident in your readiness to take the ACE Health Coach Certification Exam with on-demand study support from ACE Answers.

    Includes access to Basic ACE Answers plus Live Q&A Webinars where you can get your questions answered on a variety of topics by an ACE Study Coach. You'll also be able to listen and learn while fellow participants ask questions during these engaging webinars.

    Live Q&A Webinars
  • Free Standard Shipping (USA only)
Best Value
Sale

Advantage

$1,495

What's Included
  • ACE University
    • Video Lectures
    • ACE in Action: Video Coaching Sessions
    • Quizzes and Knowledge Checks
    • ACE in Action: Audio Coaching Sessions (8 Sessions)
  • ACE Certification Exam
    x

    Good for 6 months from the purchase date of your study program, our electronic exam vouchers allow you to easily register for an exam administered at a site near you without any additional cost. To redeem, simply follow the instructions in your My ACE Account, which you will create upon checkout. You will not receive a voucher in the mail or email. Exam vouchers are non-refundable and non-transferable.

  • Practice Tests (3)
    x

    Prepare for the exam with confidence! Advantage includes 1 timed and 2 untimed ACE Practice Tests.

  • ACE Health Coach Textbook
    Digital
    Hard Copy
    Audiobook
  • ACE Health Coach Study Companion
    Digital
    Hard Copy
  • ACE Answers (Advantage)
    x

    Enhance your learning and be confident in your readiness to take the ACE Health Coach Certification Exam with on-demand study support from ACE Answers.

    Includes access to Basic and Plus ACE Answers as well as Live Q&A Webinars where you can get your questions answered on a variety of topics by an ACE Study Coach. You'll also be able to listen and learn while fellow participants ask questions during these engaging webinars.

    Live Q&A Webinars
  • Health Coach Live Class
    x

    Join a real-time, virtual classroom environment designed to add an extra dimension to your learning experience. Led by an experienced ACE Health Coach, this interactive 16-week program has plenty of opportunities for you to participate in peer learning activities, ask any questions and receive direct feedback.

    Health Coach Live Class is also available as an additional purchase for Basic and Plus Study Programs.

    View Schedule

  • Free Expedited Shipping (USA only)

*Digital eBooks compatible with desktops (Mac & PC), tablets and smartphones (iOS & Android) only. Cannot be printed.

Accredited by the NCCA, the gold standard in health and fitness.

*Digital eBooks compatible with desktops (Mac & PC), tablets and smartphones (iOS & Android) only. Cannot be printed.

What you'll learn

The ACE Health Coach Training and Study Program is an entirely new approach to educating and training future health coaches in both the theory and the art of behavior-change coaching. It combines tools to prepare you for the certification exam with real-world training to guide you along an integrated path to a new career as a health coach.

Health Coach Study Materials
Textbook
Textbook
Study Companion
Study
Companion
ACE Answers
ACE
Answers
Live Q&A Webinar
Live Q&A
Webinar
Video Lectures
Video
Lectures
Quizzes
Quizzes
Practice Tests
Practice
Tests
Live Class
Live
Class
ACE in Action: Video Coaching
ACE in Action:
Video Coaching
ACE in Action: Audio Coaching
ACE in Action:
Audio Coaching
Audiobook
Audiobook

The ACE University (ACE U) Learning Center will help you prepare for your ACE Health Coach Certification Exam with confidence! This guided training experience will lead you seamlessly through the ACE Health Coach Study Program, with study materials carefully divided into convenient, digestible lessons. ACE U includes online videos, simulated coaching sessions, practice tests and an audiobook, all built to enhance comprehension and empower you to move through the study experience as efficiently and effectively as possible.

ACE U includes:

  • Video lectures
  • ACE in Action: video coaching sessions
  • ACE in Action: audio coaching sessions
  • Knowledge checks
  • Quizzes
  • Practice tests
  • Audiobook

Our all-new textbook, The Professional's Guide to Health and Wellness Coaching, serves as a study tool, a comprehensive information resource and a career guide. This textbook thoughtfully blends the art and science of behavior change with an in-depth understanding of the powerful role lifestyle medicine plays in the prevention and management of chronic diseases. By providing a more complete picture of the knowledge, skills and professional responsibilities of health coaches, this textbook functions as a trusted career resource that can be utilized by any current or future professional.

The Professional's Guide to Health and Wellness Coaching Study Companion complements the online study program and serves as an additional study tool that you can refer to throughout the program. Use it to practice the concepts studied in each chapter, and refer to it to conveniently review the information offered in the program.

Each ACE Health Coach Study Program comes with an exam voucher for you to take your certification exam. Find an exam location.

Have a study question? Check out ACE Answers, our self-serve resource center, which features videos, commonly asked questions, study tips and more from our expert ACE Study Coaches.

Get a FREE sneak peek!

See the all-new learning experience in action
plus get a free chapter from the textbook.

Great news! Your FREE Sneak Peek is available.

Download Now

Make sure to check your email for a special message from ACE along with a copy of your course preview.

Health Coach Live Class

Included with Health Coach Advantage!

Join a real-time, virtual classroom environment designed to add an extra dimension to your learning experience.

Led by an experienced ACE Health Coach, this interactive 16-week program has plenty of opportunities for you to participate in peer learning activities, ask any questions and receive direct feedback.

Learn More

FAQs

That's up to you! Most people study for around 3-6 months, though many study for longer. One thing to keep in mind is that your exam voucher has a redemption period of 6-months. While you can choose an exam date that's outside of the 6-month redemption period, you'll have to register for the exam before your voucher expires. Most exam sites and online proctoring may post available dates approximately 60 days in advance.

While there are no prerequisites to purchase the study program, in order to sit for the ACE Health Coach certification you must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Hold a current adult CPR and AED certificate with hands-on (in-person or virtual) skills check.* CPR/AED courses without skills check not accepted. See our approved CPR/AED certification training here.
    • *AED only required in USA and Canada
  • Must present a current government-issued photo ID with signature (driver's license, passport or military ID)
  • MUST SUBMIT PROOF of ONE of the following:
    • Current NCCA-accredited certification† in fitness, nutrition, healthcare, wellness, human resources or a related field
    • An associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university in fitness, exercise science, nutrition, healthcare, wellness or a related field
    • Completed health coach training and education program approved by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaches (NBHWC)†† ; or
    • A minimum of two years of documented work experience in coaching, leading, designing, implementing or facilitating one or more of the following: behavior or lifestyle change, exercise, wellness, nutrition or physical activity

Depending on which Study Program you choose, based on how you like to learn, you'll have the option of learning through:

  1. A digital textbook (Basic)
  2. A hardcopy, digital, and audiobook version of the textbook (Plus & Advantage)

With all Study Programs, you'll have access to ACE University (our core learning platform), practice test(s), digital ACE Health Coach Study Companion and Live Q&A Webinars.

With the Plus Study Program, you'll have access to two practice tests and to a digital and hardcopy version of the Health Coach Study Companion.

And with the Advantage Study Program you have access to three practice tests, a digital and hardcopy version of the Health Coach Study Companion and access to the Health Coach Live Class.

Learn More

While most people do pass the exam on their first time, it's perfectly okay if you don't! Here are some steps you can take if you need to retake your certification exam:

  1. Determine if you have a retake voucher, which you can find in your MyACE Account. If you don't have one, you can purchase an additional exam at a discounted retake fee via MyACE or by contacting one of our ACE Advisors. This price is valid for one year after your initial test date.
  2. When choosing a date to retake the exam, we recommend giving yourself about one week of review time for every ten points you are away from a passing score. So if your score is 480 out of a possible 800, for example, (meaning you're 20 points away from the minimum passing score of 500), allow about two weeks of review before your next exam.
  3. Reflect on your performance and consider any exam topics you felt underprepared to tackle.
  4. Review your exam score report and compare your domain performance to the Exam Content Outline. Review each domain and determine what areas need improvement.
  5. Use all your study materials, including videos and exercises, to help build confidence for the exam. Because no two people learn alike, we've provided study material in many different formats, so be sure to use all the resources available to you!
  6. Consider what went well during your initial studies and what you might do differently.
  7. Create a game plan for everything you want to do before you retake the exam. Writing down your plan may help create accountability.
  8. Join the ACE Study Coaches for a live Q&A Webinar or Facilitated Study Group to get your specific questions answered.

CELEBRATE! You've now joined the highly respected ranks of 90,000+ ACE Certified Pros and hold the most recognized certification in the industry. Plus, we'll be providing support and guidance throughout your career, so you'll have access to the exclusive tools and resources you need to thrive as a health and fitness pro. Learn more about why it's great to be ACE Certified 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 the CEC Power Pass.

If you would like to sit for the NBHWC exam, please contact us and we will explain the options available in order to complete the educational requirements. Please call an ACE Expert at (888) 519-9842.

Have questions?

Our ACE Advisors are ready to help you move forward.

Approved by the following organizations for
continuing education hours:

15 CEUs
25 CEUs
General Category
25 Contact Hours
25 CPEUs
1.9 CEUs
7 CEUs
25 CECs
5 CECs

ACE is with you every step of the way

Learn online at your own pace

Gain the knowledge to get certified in as few as 3-6 months with our flexible Study Programs.

Build in-demand skills

Learn the latest exercise science and behavior change methods that people everywhere are seeking.

Put your knowledge into action

Gain practical experience through interactive learning activities and real-world application.

Get on-demand study support

Succeed with the help of ACE Answers, Study Coaches, and live Q&A.

Access lifelong career resources

Get access to exclusive groups, networks and tools, like ACE® Pro Compass, ACE Pro Connect App and the ACE Job Board.

Get the recognition
you deserve

Learn More

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.

Topic Title Goes Here

Good for 6 months from the purchase date of your study program, our electronic exam vouchers allow you to easily register for an exam administered at a site near you without any additional cost. To redeem, simply follow the instructions in your My ACE Account, which you will create upon checkout. You will not receive a voucher in the mail or email. Exam vouchers are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Designed to simulate the actual ACE Health Coach Certification Exam, our practice tests include 60 multiple-choice questions, detailed score reports with immediate feedback on your performance, and explanations and references for each correct response. Successful performance on a practice test does not guarantee you will pass the actual exam, but it will help you identify areas to spend additional time reviewing.

The ACE U Learning Center serves as the hub of the study experience, providing step-by-step guidance and instruction to optimize utilization of the materials and resources within the study program. In addition to a guided path forward, the online experience includes:

  • Video Lectures
  • ACE in Action: Video Coaching Sessions
  • ACE in Action: Audio Coaching Sessions
  • Quizzes and Knowledge Checks
  • Practice Tests
  • The Professional's Guide to Health and Wellness Coaching Audiobook

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:

  • Answers to common study questions
  • Video demonstrations and lectures
  • Exam preparation articles
  • Facebook study groups
  • ACE Exercise Library
  • Tools & calculators
  • Career forms

Additional ACE Answers study support is available based on the Study Program you choose. See description within the grid for details.

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.

Join a real-time, virtual classroom environment designed to add an extra dimension to your learning experience. Led by an experienced ACE Health Coach, this interactive 16-week program has plenty of opportunities for you to participate in peer learning activities, ask any questions and receive direct feedback.

Health Coach Live Class is also available as an additional purchase for Basic and Plus Study Programs.

View Schedule

ACE Health Coach Exam Requirements

The prerequisites to sit for the ACE Health Coach Certification exam are provided below. If you feel you meet one of the prerequisites, you may submit your pre-approval documents for review. Once your pre-approval documents are received, ACE will respond to your request within 5 business days.

To sit for the ACE Health Coach certification you must:

You must also SUBMIT proof of at least ONE of the following:

  1. Current NCCA-accredited certification in fitness, nutrition, healthcare, wellness, human resources, or a related field
  2. An associate's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in fitness, exercise science, nutrition, healthcare, wellness, or a related field
    • Click here to see a list of the most common degrees submitted for review. Note: This list is not all inclusive.
    • You will also have the option to upload a professional license (e.g. RN, LCSW, etc.) if applicable.
  3. A completed health coach training and education program approved by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaches (NBHWC)‡
  4. A minimum of two years of documented work experience in coaching, leading, designing, implementing, or facilitating one or more of the following: behavior or lifestyle change, exercise, wellness, nutrition, or physical activity

*CPR and AED certificates are both required in the U.S. and Canada. Candidates outside the U.S. and Canada are only required to hold a current CPR certificate due to differing international laws regarding AED use by non-medical professionals. Candidates taking an ACE exam must complete a CPR/AED course that includes a live skills check prior to registration.

A list of NCCA-accredited certification programs can be found here.

A list of NBHWC-approved training and education programs can be found here.

Not sure if you are eligible to sit for this advanced certification exam? Click here for a decision tree. NOTE: The results of this decision tree DO NOT result in pre-approval. You will still need to upload pre-approval documents for review.

Not sure how to create a resume? Click here for a template.

Note: All candidates must submit appropriate required documentation prior to registering for the ACE Health Coach Certification exam.

Pre-approval Process

Candidates must submit supporting documentation of current NCCA-accredited certifications, degrees and/or work experience prior to registering for the ACE Health Coach exam.

Submit Pre-Approval Documents

If you have any questions, please email us at credentialing@acefitness.org.

Our Price Promise

Education and lifelong learning are invaluable, especially when it directly impacts the well-being of people everywhere—it's the knowledge gained that truly matters most. We understand that many factors come into play when choosing an education and certification partner and want to make sure the focus is ALWAYS on the quality of learning.

ACE is committed to providing unparalleled education and certification programs at an always true & honest value—one that allows you to invest in yourself and your career with the utmost confidence.

Get certified online with Live Remote Proctoring

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.