IAFF + IAFC Peer Fitness Trainer Certification

Program Overview

The job of fighting fires and responding to emergency situations is one of the most dangerous and physically demanding professions. To help improve the safety, performance and quality of life of uniformed personnel in the fire service, the Peer Fitness Trainer (PFT) Certification was developed by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the American Council on Exercise.

Throughout the United States and Canada, the PFT Certification identifies fire fighters that have demonstrated a certain level of knowledge and skill required to design and implement fitness programs, improve the wellness and fitness of their departments and assist with the physical training of recruits during the physically challenging entry tests. The role of a Peer Fitness Trainer differs from a Personal Trainer since fire service personnel have very specific needs and an extreme work environment well beyond what the average exerciser will ever face.


Become a Peer Fitness Trainer

For complete details on the PFT Certification Program, please review the PFT Candidate Information Guide on IAFF's website.


Renew Your Certification

Your ACE certification is valid for two years from the date of your successful examination.

To renew and maintain your certification, you must earn 1.2 continuing education credits (CECs) every two years through ACE-approved courses or professional activities. Don't put it off! Outline a schedule to renew as soon as your receive your certification.

How to Renew:

Step 1: Earn. 1.2 Continuing Education Credits
Each ACE-approved CEC equals one academic hour. You should expect to spend 12 hours on in-class time, plus additional study time, to earn 1.2 CECs. ACE offers hundreds of courses that count as CECs, including correspondence courses, practical and comprehensive training, exam prep and live classes taught nationwide.

View continuing education opportunities.

Step 2: Be sure your adult CPR certification is current*
Did you just renew your CPR certification? Update your information online.

*Note: Effective January 1, 2009 all new and renewing ACE-certified professionals in the U.S. and Canada must hold a current CPR/AED card to sit for or renew an ACE certification.

Step 3: Renew online or, sign/complete the PFT renewal application by mail

Step 4: Send your renewal form and payment to ACE
Once your renewal application is received, please allow 4 to 6 weeks for your card and certificate to arrive.

If your certification has expired: You no longer have access to the ACE Pro Site. Please call Professional Services at 1-888-825-3636, or email conted@acefitness.org, for help renewing your certification.


Find Continuing Education

There are many options available to you to meet the 1.2 CEC requirement, including the following:
  • • Complete any IAFF/IAFC/ACE-approved continuing education course.

  • • Attend an IAFF/IAFC/ACE-approved event (e.g.; ACE Fitness Symposium, Phoenix Health & Safety Conference, Redmond Symposium, FDIC Conference)


  • • Sucessfully pass a current or archived ACE FitnessMatters quiz. All ACE FitnessMatters quizzes have a course fee of $15 per quiz and a value of 0.1 CEC. Archived issues of ACE FitnessMatters can be found online.


  • • Maintain a current certificate in CPR, AED, First Aid and/or EMT. Each safety certificate is approved for 0.1 CEC (for a total of 0.3 CEC). Verification is required via a mailed or faxed copy of your certificate(s) with a request for CECs.


  • • Sucessfully pass the ACE Personal Trainer Certification Exam
    • º Live pencil & paper format (Your special price = $150)
    • º Computer-based Testing format (Your special price = $199)

For more information on the ACE Personal Trainer Certification including exam dates, visit www.acefitness.org/getcertified.

For additional information on continuing education requirements, please contact ACE at 1-888-825-3636, Ext. 781.

Renew to Stay Active!


If you have previously completed a fire fighter specific course you can verify the details here

Renew Today!