Go further as an ACE
Certified Health Coach

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.

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

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, you will need to complete the Advanced Health Coach Training Program. All components of this program must be completed no later than July 1, 2024 in order to receive a certificate of completion to submit as proof of completing this approved training program. Please check www.NBHWC.org for all requirements before applying to sit for the NBHWC exam.