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How to become a Certified
Personal Trainer

3 Steps to your future career.

Personal training is one of the most rewarding professions you can have. You get to improve people's lives while getting paid to do what you love. ACE Certified Personal Trainers often tell us their interest began with a powerful drive to help others and how enjoyable it is to spend their days in fitness facilities, and not behind a desk.

If you are looking to work with clients one-on-one, developing exercise programs to help people achieve their fitness goals, personal training is for you! Here are three steps that will lead you to a flexible career as an ACE Certified Personal Trainer.

Choose a Certification

Not all certifications are created equal. Don't be fooled! When researching certifications, always verify that the certification is accredited. ACE Certifications are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), renowned as the gold standard in health and fitness. Accreditation shows that you've met the highest standards and are qualified to work as a professional. This will give you the respect you deserve and allow you to stand out when you're ready to start training.

ACE offers three personal trainer study programs for you to choose from, to help get certified. Each provides you with the relevant skills to design and apply unique exercise programs based on your clients' goals, abilities and needs. If you have a background in health and fitness and are prepared to take the exam, you can skip to step three.

If you have a background in health and fitness and are prepared to take the exam, you can register here.

Start Learning

Once you've chosen your study program, it's time to start learning! Offering a variety of ways to learn, the ACE Personal Trainer Study Program is like no other. You have complete control of when, how and where you learn evidence-based fundamentals of personal training.

Centered around ACE University, our intuitive learning platform, the content is delivered through comprehensible text, charts, graphics and videos, as well as online activities, practice tests and on-demand study support. With the ACE Study Dashboard, you will have quick access to all of your study tools and be guided by progress indicators, smart notifications and alerts, calendars and reminders. Designed for all learning styles, the ACE Personal Trainer Study Program is flexible and self-paced, taking most just 3-6 months to complete.

Curious what our study programs are like? See how you'll learn here.

Pass the exam and start your dream job

The ACE Certification Exam assesses if you meet the level of competence necessary to earn a certification. Prior to taking the exam, you must meet certain prerequisites.

The exam can be conveniently taken online or at a testing center near you and consists of 150 multiple choice questions. A passing score of 500 or greater is required to earn the mark of certification.

After passing the exam, you will earn a respected credential, setting you on a compelling new career path, impacting the lives of many!

Please note that purchasing ACE Study Material is not required in order to register for or pass the exam.

Get a FREE sneak peek!

See the all-new experience in action
plus get a FREE chapter from the textbook.

Great news! Your FREE Sneak Peek is available.

Step 1:

Watch the Course Preview Video

Step 2:

Download the Chapter Preview

Get ongoing support and guidance throughout your career

As an ACE Certified Pro, you will get access to exclusive tools and resources to assure you thrive at every stage of your career, including:

  • ACE Pro Connect App
  • ACE® Pro Compass
  • ACE Talks Podcast
  • ACE Job Board
  • Special industry discounts
  • Top-rated education opportunities
  • And more!
Learn More Here

Build in-demand skills and earn CECs

With ACE, you can maintain your certification and create the career you want with hundreds of courses, webinars, Specialist Programs and more. And with the CEC Power Pass you can access unlimited learning, for maximum impact.

See What's Possible

Ready to get started?

Become an ACE Certified Personal Trainer
and join a community of 90,000+ ACE Certified Pros!

View Study Programs

Personal Trainer Requirements

To be eligible for the ACE Personal Trainer Certification Exam, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Have completed high school (or the equivalent).
  • Hold a current CPR/AED certification with a live skills check.
  • Present a current government-issued photo ID with signature (driver's license, passport, military ID).

Questions? Contact us at (888) 825-3636.