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Health & Fitness
Certifications

Health & Fitness
Certifications

Health & Fitness
Certifications

Get qualified to coach clients with the
most recognized certification

90,000+ ACE Certified Pros

Join the largest certifier in health & fitness for over 35 years.

NCCA Accreditation

Stand out to employers with the most trusted credential.

Global Mission

Make an impact with a leading non-profit that advocates for you.

96% Satisfaction Rate

Be part of a family that supports you throughout your career.

The career you want starts with
an ACE Certification

Personal Trainer

If you enjoy creating workouts and one-on-one training, this is for you.

Starting at $675

Flexible payment plans available No experience needed, start today! Learn More

Group Fitness Instructor

If you enjoy leading groups and high-energy experiences, this is for you.

Starting at $285

Flexible payment plans available No experience needed, start today! Learn More

Health Coach

If you enjoy influencing healthy habits and practicing mindfulness, this is for you.

Starting at $850

Flexible payment plans available Some experience needed Learn More

Medical Exercise Specialist

If you enjoy working in healthcare and helping patients recover, this is for you.

Starting at $385

Flexible payment plans available Some experience needed Learn More

Your path to a rewarding career

  • 1

    Choose your Study Program

    Select a program that fits your needs and get started right away.

  • 2

    Start your online learning

    With self-paced learning and on-demand support, you can be coaching clients in as few as 3-6 months.

    See How You'll Learn
  • 3

    Pass your Certification Exam

    The multiple choice exam can be conveniently taken online, or at a testing center near you.

    Learn more about exams

Get your FREE Career Guide

Take a look into career paths, stories from ACE Certified Pros, the future of health & fitness and more!

"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."

- Marisol Gramlich, ACE Certified Personal Trainer

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 skills into action

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

Get on-demand study support

Succeed with the help of ACE Answers, live Q&A and facilitated study groups.

Access lifelong career resources

Build the career you want with access to exclusive groups, networks and tools, like the ACE Pro Talks podcast.

Get the recognition
you deserve

Not sure which certification
is right for you?

Take our Career Quiz

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.

Medical Exercise Specialist Exam Requirements

To sit for the ACE Medical Exercise Specialist certification you must:
  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Hold a current CPR and AED certification with live skills check*
  • Present a current government-issued photo ID with signature (driver's license, passport, military ID)
You must also submit BOTH of the following documents:
  • Proof of a four-year (bachelor's) degree in exercise science or a related field (upload unofficial transcript below).
    • Click here to see a list of the most common degrees submitted for review. Note: This list is not all inclusive.
  • Proof of 500 hours of work experience designing and implementing exercise programs for apparently healthy individuals and/or high-risk individuals, as documented by a qualified professional (upload pre-approval form , as completed by a supervisor, below).

Want to know if you meet these requirements? Please submit your pre-approval documents here.
If you have any questions, please email us at credentialing@acefitness.org.