American Council on Exercise - FAQs

Accreditation

• Teaches foundational knowledge and skills and measures the cognitive retention of the student.
• Many fields require that education be completed in the form of a degree as a pre-requisite for the professional credential.

• Measures, in a standardized and unbiased manner, the ability of the candidate to apply the knowledge and skills in the role of a professional.
• Passing a certification establishes that the individual is minimally competent to work unsupervised in a given field or profession.
• Certification does not mean that an individual knows everything required to be considered an expert in a given field.

• Keeps the professional current by updating their knowledge base and teaching them new skills.
• Frequently is associated with the development of a specialty.
• May also be based on a specific modality or tool.
• Assumes that the individual participating possesses all of the foundational knowledge required of the minimally competent professional.
• Generally does not meet the threshold for credible certification for exam content, structure and administration.

• That the examination process is fair and unbiased
• That the examination accurately measures the minimal competence of the candidate for the profession
• That the public is protected from unqualified or ineffective practitioners
• That the organization has the means to support its professionals

• Conduct certification activities in a manner that upholds standards for competent practice in a profession, occupation, role, or skill.
• Include individuals from the certified population on the certification board or governing committee of the certification program.
• Establish, publish, apply, and periodically review key certification policies and procedures concerning existing and prospective certificants.
• Employ assessment instruments that are derived from the job/practice analysis and that are consistent with generally accepted psychometric principles.
• Develop and adhere to appropriate, standardized, and secure procedures for the development and administration of the assessment instruments.
• Set the cut score consistent with the purpose of the credential and the established standard of competence for the profession, occupation, role, or skill.
• Award certification only after the knowledge and/or skill of individual applicants have been evaluated and determined to be acceptable.
• Establish and apply policies and procedures for secure retention of assessment results and scores of all candidates.
• Demonstrate that its recertification requirements measure or enhance the continued competence of certificants.

• Accreditation of a credentialing organization by the NCCA is the standard for a large majority of well-respected allied health care professionals and others professions (e.g., nursing, nutrition, athletic training, etc.).
• By earning an NCCA-accredited certification, fitness professionals demonstrate that they are qualified to take a legitimate place on the healthcare continuum based on what is usual and customary for healthcare and other professionals which is critical for developing an appropriate level of professional recognition which should also positively impact compensation levels for fitness professionals.
• For education providers in the fitness industry it means selecting the aspect (education, credentialing or continuing education) that best fits the organizational and business structure of their organization. It does not mean that there are not opportunities for growth or that they do not provide an essential and valuable service to the fitness industry.

1. Failure of an industry to provide for significant self-regulation.
2. A significant risk to public health that requires government intervention. The determination that licensure is required is made through a process called a "sunrise review" that determines the qualifications, skills and knowledge required to work in the proposed licensed profession, and if there are any existing recognized certification standards in the field (usually an NCCA-accredited organization or organizations). Currently, only Louisiana (with its licensure for Clinical Exercise Physiologists) has legislation regarding licensure and the fitness industry.

• A limitation of the scope of practice via legislation by well-meaning legislators influenced by lobbyists from various interested parties.
• Additional and unnecessary expenses associated with licensure.
• Alerting the public and the government to a purported "risk" of working with qualified fitness professionals that does not exist.

Computer Based Testing

Study Materials

• Pace yourself and make efficient use of your time. You should be halfway through the exam (or slightly more) when half of your time is up.
• Answer the easy questions first. More difficult questions can always be answered later.
• Read each question carefully and avoid skimming or speed-reading. Be sure you understand what the question is asking. Underline key or bold face phrases: BEST, MOST, LEAST, EXCEPT, etc.
• Try to anticipate what the answer is but still read all response options carefully before finalizing an answer. Remember that there is only one correct answer, though, and two response options may appear to be similar without careful reading.
• Don't over-analyze or read into the question. Each question is written as clearly as possible and should be interpreted as it appears. There is no hidden meaning or attempt to trick you.
• Eliminate the least plausible response options. Eliminating one or two response options may increase your chances of selecting the correct answer with an educated guess.
• Take care in marking your answer sheet. Be sure that the question you are working on in your exam booklet corresponds to the mark you are making on your answer sheet.
• Answer every question. Remember, there is no penalty for guessing.
• Although first impressions are best, change your answer if you feel strongly about it.
• Response options on the ACE exams are randomized. If you know absolutely nothing about a question, it is best to make an educated guess and move on.

Preparing for the Exam

• Good: you have a solid understanding and/or command of skills and no additional review is needed
• Fair: you have a partial understanding and/or command of skills and some additional review is needed
• Poor: You have a limited or no understanding and/or command of skills and detailed review is needed

• The Written Simulation Exam applies to the Personal Trainer Certification only.
• The purpose of the ACE Written Simulation Exam is to test the decision-making ability of the candidate.
• The problems in the exam are intended to simulate, as closely as possible, the types of situations that an actual certified personal trainer may encounter in a professional setting.

1. Problem Booklet
   • The problem booklet contains two problems.
   • Each problem is divided into sections.
   • Each section begins with an introduction/scenario that describes a set of circumstances.
   • Each section also contains a list of actions/decisions from which the candidate chooses those that he/she deems appropriate given the circumstances at that time.
2. Answer Booklet
   • The answer booklet is printed on latent image paper. The booklet appears to be a set of blank pages.
   • The candidate indicates their choice of actions/decisions (based on the problem) in the answer booklet. This is done by using a special latent image pen to highlight their choice. When a selection is made, a printed response/consequence to the action is revealed.
   • An entire response has been exposed when a double asterisk (**) appears. Once a response has been uncovered, it cannot be erased or undone.

• In the problem booklet, the candidate can use a pencil to help mark or order responses prior to making selections in the answer booklet.
• The candidate will receive a special latent image pen to use on the answer booklet.

• Each section in a problem begins with a set of instructions that must be followed carefully.
• In each section, the choices appear in a random order. All of the choices should be considered before making any selection.
• The information given in a section is to be used to make decisions for the sections that follow.
• The candidate must be able to identify pertinent information. Many actions/decisions in real-life situations do not cause immediate observable results. In a similar manner, a significant number of selections (whether correct or incorrect) will reveal information that is not useful.
• Candidates have one hour to complete the written simulation examination.

Exam Fees

• ACE will only register candidates that submit a COMPLETED application and payment in FULL by the respective registration deadline (45 days prior to the exam date for mail in registrations,and 60 days for ADA requests. International candidate registrations must be postmarked no later than 60 days prior to the exam date).
  
  
• Check or money order should be in U.S. funds, drawn on a U.S. bank, and payable to ACE. We do not accept cash, purchase orders or invoices.
  
  
• ACE will return all incomplete applications and/or applications with a declined credit card or returned check.
  
  
• Exam fees are subject to change without notice.
  
  
• Pre-registered candidates may submit payment in the form of a check, money order or major credit card (VISA, MasterCard or American Express only). Stand-by candidates must bring payment to the exam location in the form of a certified (cashier's) check or money order. Personal checks will not be accepted for stand-by candidates.
  
  

Registering for the exam

• You must be at least 18 years of age.
• You must hold an adult CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certificate and it must be current at the time of the exam. Those submitting proof of CPR with their application will be exempt from future CPR audits, up to the expiration date of the certification. You can sit for the exam without proof of CPR; however, you will not receive your exam results until you provide current CPR certificate information. Complete the online CPR Affirmation, fax (858-576-6564) or mail a copy of your CPR certification to ACE as soon as possible. View a list of accepted CPR certifications.
• To take the Lifestyle & Management Consultant Certification exam, you must hold a current ACE Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor or Advanced Fitness Specialist Certification; or a NCCA- accredited certification; or hold a four-year (bachelor's) degree in Exercise Science, Nutrition or related field. Registrants holding degrees in Nutrition or Nursing must submit documentation supporting completion of Exercise Science-related coursework at the time of registration.
• To take the Advanced Fitness Specialist Certification exam, you must have 300 hours of work experience designing and implementing exercise programs for apparently healthy individuals and/or high-risk individuals, as documented by a qualified professional. You must also have a four-year (bachelor's) degree in an Exercise Science or related field; or a current ACE Personal Trainer certification; or a NCCA-accredited certification. Registrants must submit documentation supporting completion of Exercise Science-related coursework at the time of registration.

Personal Trainer or Group Fitness Instructor Certification Exam:
• Register online, retakes or reschedule - or -Download registration form to mail or fax
Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant Certification Exam:
• If you are a current ACE Personal Trainer, Advanced Fitness Specialist or Group Fitness Instructor, you can register here after you login.
• If you are not a current ACE Personal Trainer, Advanced Fitness Specialist or Group Fitness Instructor:
  • Download registration form to mail or fax
Advanced Fitness Specialist Certification Exam:
• Download registration form to mail or fax
Since candidates are required to sign an affirmation statement registrations are not done over the phone.

• A completed stand-by registration form
• Two forms of identification including a current offical photo identification with signature (driver's license, immigration card, passport, state ID card, etc). You will NOT be admitted without proper identification.
• A certified (cashier's) check or money order made payable for the appropriate amount (see Exam Fees for current fees). Credit cards or personal checks will NOT be accepted at the exam site. No exceptions.
• Two soft-lead (#2) pencils and an eraser
• Extra layers of clothing for comfort in the exam center

• Fill out the reschedule form online by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time (PT) on the day before your exam
• Reschedule for any exam date or location within the next six months.
• Pay a $135 fee

1. Complete the online reschedule process OR
2. Submit a written request to ACE:
   • Download and complete the reschedule form
   • Specify the new exam date and location
   • Postmark your request by the date of your original exam
   • Enclose a $135 rescheduling fee payable to ACE

• Login to your ACE account select your new exam date choices by 11:59p.m. PST on the day before your exam.
• Pay a $149.00 fee

Exam Content

1. Job Analysis/Role Delineation: A group of industry experts analyzes the specific job requirements in order to develop an outline of the tasks, knowledge and skills required to perform the job effectively (e.g. group fitness instruction, personal training, etc.).
2. Validation Study: A research survey is conducted to determine the validity of the job analysis. The survey is sent to a large, national random sample of fitness professionals for validation.
3. Item Writing: A national and representative panel of industry experts develops exam questions that are tied to exam specifications and referenced to acceptable texts or documents.
4. Exam Construction: The questions are reviewed, selected and approved by an exam committee. The constructed exam is then forwarded to an independent testing service for final editing.
5. Cut Score Determination: The passing score is determined as a standard for public protection. Each question is rated by a group of industry experts using criterion-referenced procedures. The experts estimate the percentage of minimally competent professionals that will answer each question correctly. The passing score is then calculated and based on the overall degree of difficulty.
6. Continual Exam Evaluation: Following an exam administration, there is a continual evaluation and analysis of each question to help ensure validity. If a question is determined to be flawed, it is reworked or replaced. A new exam-development process begins every five years. ACE exams are developed using the six-point exam development process and are guided by standards accepted by the American Psychological Association, the American Educational Research Association and the National Council on Measurement in Education.

1. Exercise Science
2. Exercise Programming
3. Instructional Technique
4. Professional Responsibility

• Domain I: Exercise Science
• Task 1: To demonstrate knowledge of basic cardiorespiratory physiology by applying correct cardiorespiratory physiological principles in order to develop and instruct safe and effective exercise.

• Knowledge of: Communication techniques (e.g., active listening, appropriate eye contact, reflecting, other attending behaviors)
• Skill in: Applying interview and communication techniques

1. Triceps brachii
2. Triceps surae
3. Rectus femoris
4. Peroneus longus

1. 23 percent
2. 28 percent
3. 33 percent
4. 38 percent

1. 27 calories, 4 percent
2. 216 calories, 17 percent
3. 27 calories, 17 percent
4. 252 calories, 20 percent

Exam Day Rules

1. Lose or misplace your admission ticket
2. Do not receive your admission ticket one week prior to the exam date

1. Your admission ticket
2. Two forms of identification including a current offical photo identification with signature (driver's license, immigration card, passport,state ID card, etc). You will NOT be admitted without proper identification.
3. Two soft lead (#2) pencils and an eraser
4. Extra layers of clothing for comfort in the exam center

7:30 am- Test Site Administrator and Proctors report to site

8:00 am- Multiple Choice Exam registration (all certifications)

8:40 am- Multiple Choice Exam instructions are given

9:00 am- Multiple Choice Exam begins (all certifications)

12:00 pm- Multiple Choice Exam ends

12:45 pm- Written Simulation Exam registration (Personal Trainer certification only)

1:10 pm- Written Simulation Exam instructions are given

1:30 pm- Written Simulation Exam begins (Personal Trainer certification only)

2:30 pm- Written Simulation Exam ends


• You'll have three hours to complete the 150 multiple choice question exam. Personal trainer candidates will also complete the one-hour written simulation exam following the multiple choice exam.
• All candidates must report to the exam site no later than 8 a.m. Exam instructions will begin no later than 8:40 a.m for all exams and 12:40 p.m. for the personal trainer written simulation exam. You must arrive on time as no one will be admitted after the exam instructions have begun. You should plan to be at the exam site until 2:30 p.m.
• No visitors are allowed at the exam center (including children).
• All work must be performed by you alone. Sharing information or disturbing others is cause for dismissal with no refund.
• Impersonating another candidate, giving or receiving help on the exam, or removing exam materials or notes from the exam site are also causes for dismissal with no refund.
• Only the individual named on the registration form will be admitted to the exam. Please bring a government-issued, valid identification to verify your identity.
• No purses, bags, or any powered communication devices such as cell phones and PDA's etc. are allowed in the examination room.
• No dictionaries, calculators, paper or other supplies are allowed during the exam.
• No food or drinks allowed.

Exam Scoring

• A two-problem written simulation that contributes 25% towards your final score
• A 150 multiple-choice examination that contributes 75% towards your final score

1. Must be in writing to CASTLE (address at bottom of this page)
2. Must be made within six months of your exam date
3. Must be accompanied by a $30.00 fee payable to CASTLE. CASTLE will inform you of your re-scored results within two to four weeks. CASTLE will maintain score records indefinitely for the duration of your certification

1. Submit a written request to ACE
2. Postmark or electronically date-stamp your request no later than 30 days prior to your scheduled exam date

1. Faxing or mailing in your request before the 30-day deadline, with the Exam Site Transfer box checked on the exam registration form, along with payment for $25 made payable to ACE.
2. Sitting for the exam as a stand-by candidate at the new location and paying the $25 Transfer Site Fee. Stand-bys are not guaranteed a seat and will be registered in order of arrival as space and resources permit.

Military Personnel and Dependents - Domestic
Approval for DANTES testing is considered on a case-by-case basis, pending date and location in relation to already-established ACE exams.

Military Personnel and Dependents - International
You may be able to take the exam at an international DANTES military test center, but you must check with your center first. Be sure to include a letter from the DANTES Test Control Officer (TCO) on military letterhead with your registration. This letter should include the following information: (1) your name, (2) exam date, (3) type of exam, (4) DANTES four-digit test center code, (5) address where materials are to be shipped, and (6) phone, fax, and email where ACE may reach the TCO. ACE must receive this information at least 60 days prior to the exam date and coincide with a quarterly exam date in February, May, August or November.

Religious Obligations
Quarterly ACE certification exams are always administered on Saturday. If Saturday attendance conflicts with your religious obligations, ACE will try to arrange a special exam day for you. Please include a letter from your clergy to ACE with your registration indicating your need for a special exam day. ACE must receive this information at least 60 days prior to the exam date.

Limited English Proficiency
At this time, ACE Personal Trainer Certification Exams are offered in English and Spanish. If English or Spanish is not your first language and you wish to have additional time to take the exam, submit a copy of your birth certificate or passport to ACE with your registration, as early as possible. ACE must receive this information at least 60 days prior to the exam date.

Spanish Versions of the ACE Exams
To register for the Personal Trainer Certification Exam in Spanish, candidates must:
1. Submit a written request to ACE to be received 60 days prior to the exam date
2. Enclose a completed registration form and fee

Disabled Candidates
Special arrangements, at no charge, can be made if you have a visual, sensory, physical or other disability that prevents you from taking the exam under standard conditions. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), documentation of the disability must be submitted by a professional qualified to diagnose the disability. Requests and completed registration information from disabled candidates must include a description of the accommodation requested. ACE reserves the right to determine if the requested accommodation is reasonable. Requests for special accommodations must be postmarked 60 days prior to the exam date and submitted to ACE.

Other Requests
Arrangements, at no charge, can be made if you have other special requests that are not listed above. Documentation of this special need, made by a professional qualified to make a diagnosis must be submitted with your request. ACE reserves the right to determine if the requested accommodation is reasonable. Requests for special accommodations must be postmarked 60 days prior to the exam date and submitted to ACE.

Please note: All exam policies are subject to change without notice at the discretion of the American Council on Exercise. If you fall within any of the circumstances above, you should verify you are in compliance with the current policies regarding your situation.

• Ineligibility for certification
• Irregularity in connection with any certification examination
• Unauthorized possession, use, access or distribution of certification examinations, score reports, trademarks, logos, answer sheets, certificates, certificant or applicant files, or other confidential or proprietary ACE documents or materials (copyrighted or otherwise)
• Material misrepresentation or fraud in any statement to ACE or to the public, including but not limited to statements made to assist the applicant, certificant, or another to apply for, obtain, or retain certification
• Any physical, mental or emotional condition of either temporary or permanent nature, including, but not limited to substance abuse, which impairs or has the potential to impair competent and objective professional performance
• Negligent and/or intentional misconduct in professional work, including, but not limited to, physical or emotional abuse, disregard for safety, or the unauthorized release of confidential information
• The timely conviction, plea of guilty, or plea of nolo contrende in connection with a felony or misdemeanor, which is directly related to public health and/or fitness instruction or education, which impairs competent and objective professional performance. These include, but are not limited to, rape, sexual abuse of a client, actual or threatened use of a weapon of violence, the prohibited sale, distribution, or possession with intent to distribute, of a controlled substance
• Failure to meet the requirements for certification or recertification
• ACE has developed a three-tiered disciplinary process of review, hearing and appeals to ensure fair and unbiased examination of alleged violation(s) of the Application and Certification Standards in order to (1) determine the merit of allegations; and (2) impose appropriate sanctions as necessary to protect the public and the integrity of the Certification process As an ACE certification candidate and/or certified professional, you are deemed to be familiar with and comply with the ACE professional practices and disciplinary procedures. Please contact ACE to request a complete copy of ACE professional practices and disciplinary procedures.

Certification Renewal

Continuing Education Credits (CECs)

What you may do:
1. ACE-certified professionals are encouraged to use the ACE-Certified Logo Mark. In conjunction with usage of the logo mark, you must properly identify your ACE certification, for example: ACE-certified Group Fitness Instructor, ACE-certified Personal Trainer, ACE-certified Clinical Exercise Specialist or ACE-certified Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant.
2. You may use the ACE-Certified Logo Mark on materials such as business cards, stationery or brochures that promote you personally using any ACE certification(s) you've earned. Misrepresentation of your ACE certification is a breech of the ACE Code of Ethics and subject to disciplinary action.
3. The ACE-Certified Logo Mark is to be reproduced in the color version provided by ACE, or as a one-color version in black ink only. The only exception to this guideline is if the materials are being printed in one-color ink, other than black, in which case it is acceptable to reproduce the logo mark in that one color.
4. Visit the ACE ProSite for a Logo Usage Guide and to download the logo image files.

What you may not do:
1. Do not use the ACE Corporate Logo Mark. The ACE Certification Logo Mark is to be used instead.
2. Do not use the American Council on Exercise name or ACE-Certified Logo Mark with any other descriptive qualifier (for example, endorsed, approved, recommended, suggested or sanctioned by).
3. Do not use the American Council on Exercise name or ACE-Certified Logo Mark on any promotional materials that promote your services as a trainer or instructor of other fitness professionals, such as continuing education, seminars or basic training, unless it is contained within your personal biographical material.
4. Do not use the American Council on Exercise name or ACE-Certified Logo Mark in conjunction with any other product or merchandise such as videos, clothing, etc.
5. Do not alter the ACE-Certified Logo Mark in any way.
6. Do not use the letters A.C.E. or the word ACE after your name.

Refunds/Returns/Exchanges/Transfers

(a) Apparel Returns/Exchanges No refunds are available for ACE apparel purchases. Please allow three to four weeks for delivery. All ACE-certified apparel is custom ordered for you from the manufacturer. Therefore, ACE cannot return items to the manufacturer. We understand that when you purchase online, you don't have the opportunity to try on items beforehand. Therefore, when you buy ACE-certified apparel online, we encourage you to try it on as soon as it arrives to ensure proper fit and comfort. Should your ACE apparel not fit properly - or should there be defects in fabric or manufacturing that escaped our notice - you can return these items for an exchange or credit (no refunds on apparel).

To allow us to properly credit your account, please adhere to the following apparel return/exchange procedures:

Apparel Return for Credit
• All original tags must remain attached to the garment.
• Clothing must not have been worn except for trying on, and must remain suitable for re-stocking. Health regulations stipulate that clothing that is soiled, worn, damaged or laundered may not be accepted back.
• A Return Authorization Number is required. Contact the ACE Accounting Department at 1-888-825-3636 or apparelreturns@acefitness.org. Indicate exchange or credit request.
• State the reason for your return.
• Enclose the original invoice with your securely packaged item(s). Complete the ACE Return Form enclosed in the shipment or click here to download the form.
• Any defects should be clearly explained in an accompanying return form - please do not mark defects on the item.
• Absolutely no returns/exchanges can be accepted after 30 calendar days from the date your order was shipped.
• ACE does not refund shipping and handling charges for credits or exchanges.


Apparel Exchange Procedure
If you wish to exchange an item, please follow the instructions above and:
• Include $5.95 to cover exchange postage and handling fees. All tags must be attached to the garments (NO exceptions).
• All exchanges/returns must be received no later than 30 calendar days from the date your order was shipped for exchange or to receive a credit.
• ACE does not refund shipping and handling charges for credits or exchanges. As ACE is a nonprofit organization, we must cover our costs - therefore, if we receive soiled, worn, damaged or laundered goods we must charge a $30 handling fee and return the item(s) to you.

(b) Book Returns New books returned within 30 days are eligible for a refund. There is a 20% restocking/processing fee on all returns. To get a refund on your purchase, please obtain a return authorization code from ACE by contacting support@acefitness.org or 1-888-825-3636, between 6:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific time, Monday - Friday. Shipping charges are not refundable.

(c) Exam Refunds You will receive a 50% refund of your exam fee if the refund request is submitted in writing and postmarked no later than 30 days prior to the exam. NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN AFTER THIS TIME OR FOR RESCHEDULED EXAMS.