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ACE Fitness

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Invest in your future with a 529 Plan

You can now use tax-advantaged
savings for ACE Certifications.

Your path to more affordable career advancement

Lower your out-of-pocket costs

Use your 529 savings to pay for ACE Certifications and Continuing Education—making career growth more affordable.

Turn education savings into career momentum

What was once limited to college expenses can now directly support your professional credentials in health and fitness.

Invest in yourself with confidence

Using tax-advantaged funds makes it easier to earn and maintain your ACE Certification—so you can focus on building the career you want.

529 plans expand beyond college

On July 4, 2025, Congress passed the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act, expanding the use of 529 savings plans beyond traditional college expenses. For the first time, 529 funds can now be applied to qualified postsecondary credentialing programs, including professional certifications like those offered by ACE.

ACE certifications are eligible because they are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and recognized in federal credential directories—meeting the requirements for 529 plan funding under the new law.

Your 529 funds may be used for

How it works

Using your 529 savings for ACE Certification is simple:

  1. Contact your 529 plan administrator to confirm withdrawal procedures.
  2. Attest that the funds will be used for qualified credentialing expenses.
  3. Use funds for eligible ACE Certification and Education costs.
  4. Keep all receipts for exams, prep materials, and courses.
  5. Consult a tax advisor to ensure compliance with IRS and state requirements.

More access. More opportunity.

By supporting the use of 529 plans, ACE is helping build a stronger, more accessible fitness workforce.

Greater Accessibility

Reduce financial barriers to certification and continuing education.

Workforce Development

Align with federal initiatives that promote career-ready credentials.

Competitive Advantage

Position yourself—and ACE—at the forefront of lifelong learning.

FAQs

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings account traditionally used for higher education. Withdrawals for qualified expenses are tax-free. Now, these plans cover costs for recognized credential programs, including ACE certifications.

On July 4, 2025, Congress passed the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act, expanding 529 plans beyond college costs to include qualified postsecondary credentialing expenses. This means funds can now be used for professional certifications like those offered by ACE.

Exam preparation materials (books, online courses, practice tests)

  • ACE Personal Trainer Study Program, ACE Group Fitness Instructor Study Program, ACE Health Coach Study Program, ACE Medical Exercise Specialist Study Program

Certification exam fees (accredited exams only)

  • ACE Personal Trainer Certification Exam, ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification Exam, ACE Health Coach Certification Exam, ACE Medical Exercise Specialist Certification Exam

Continuing education courses required for recertification

  • Any of our Continuing Education courses and course bundles

Supplies and equipment necessary for credentialing programs

  • ACE does not currently have supplies or equipment requirements for our credentialing programs.

ACE certifications meet the criteria because they are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and listed in federal credential directories.

The law is effective immediately (July 4, 2025). However, some state 529 platforms may need time to update their systems.