While each of our certification exams have similar eligibility requirements, they do differ slightly. Please see a complete list below.

ACE Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must hold a current adult CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automated external defibrillator) certificate with hands on (in-person or virtual) skills check*
  • Fully online CPR/AED courses not accepted
• Must present a current government-issued photo ID with signature (driver's license, passport, military ID)
• Must have completed high school (or the equivalent)

ACE Health Coach

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must hold a current adult CPR and AED certificate including with hands on (in-person or virtual) skills check*
  • Fully online CPR/AED courses not accepted
• 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
  • A completed health coach training and education program approved by the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC)‡
  • 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

†A list of NCCA-accredited certification programs can be found at: https://ice.learningbuilder.com/Search/Public/MemberRole/ProgramVerification2

‡A list of NBHWC-approved training and education programs can be found at: https://nbhwc.org/find-an-approved-training-program/

Note: Candidates must submit supporting documentation of current NCCA-accredited certifications, degrees and/or work experience prior to registering for the ACE Health Coach exam.

Medical Exercise Specialist

• Be at least 18 years old and hold a current adult CPR and AED certificate including with hands on (in-person or virtual) skills check*
• SUBMIT PROOF of:
  • A bachelor's degree in exercise science or a related field at the time of exam registration.
  • 500 completed hours of work experience designing and implementing exercise programs for apparently healthy or high-risk individuals, as documented by a qualified professional.
  • Present a current government-issued photo ID with signature (driver's license, passport, military ID) on exam day.

* Candidates taking computer-based ACE exam must hold a current CPR / AED certificate at the time of registration, and it cannot expire prior to the exam date. Online CPR/AED courses will not be accepted.

No. You do not need to purchase study materials from ACE in order to sit for an exam. Click here to register for an exam.

Acceptable forms of identification include: A current, government-issued photo identification card with signature and expiration date (i.e., driver's license, passport, passport card, state ID card, green card, AADHAAR, or military ID card). Temporary and expired identification cards will NOT be accepted. 

Yes, you must have your legal first and last name as it appears on your current government-issued photo ID on your My ACE Account in order to sit for your ACE Exam. Middle names are not required.

To update your name on your My ACE Account, please email ExamRegistration@ACEfitness.org with your request and the required documentation outlined below:

If you are NOT yet an ACE certified Professional, please submit a copy of your current government-issued photo ID.

If you are currently an ACE certified Professional, please submit a copy of your current government-issued photo ID as well as documentation of your name change (e.g., court order for name change, marriage license/certificate, divorce decree).

Must hold a current adult CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automated external defibrillator) certificate with hands on (in-person or virtual) skills check*.

* Candidates taking computer-based ACE exam must hold a current CPR / AED certificate at the time of registration, and it cannot expire prior to the exam date. Online CPR/AED courses will not be accepted.

The ACE preferred course is the CPR/AED Smart Certification™ App, which allows you to get CPR certified anywhere, anytime in just 90 minutes or less. To view this and other CPR/AED course options, click here!

You may register for your exam directly through your My ACE Account. If you are registering using an exam voucher, simply click "Sign Up For Exam" on your main dashboard and you will be prompted to select between our two current testing options: Online (at-home) or locally at a testing facility. If you would like to schedule an exam without an exam voucher, simply click here: https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/schedule-your-exam/exam-locations/. You will be prompted to select your preferred method of testing: online (at-home) or locally at a testing facility. Please note: You will need to hold a valid CPR/AED certificate to register for your ACE Exam. Additionally, if you require special testing accommodations, please reach out to ExamRegistration@acefitness.org first for assistance with registration.

ACE does offer special testing accommodations to those who qualify. Given the limitations of each third-party exam site, accommodations offered may vary from site to site. Before registering for your ACE Exam, please contact the ACE Exam Registration Department (ExamRegistration@acefitness.org) with your ADA documentation and request for special accommodations. Once your ADA documentation is submitted, an ACE Representative will review and determine which accommodation(s) can be offered, as well as the soonest Meazure Learning can schedule your exam as there is a 15-30 day waiting period for certain accommodations. If English is not your primary language, then you may qualify for additional time on your ACE Exam. Please email ExamRegistration@acefitness.org with a copy of your passport or birth certificate prior to registering for your exam so an ACE Representative may assist with your registration. Please note: Candidates who require special testing accommodations of any kind should not attempt to register themselves for an exam online through their My ACE Account.

If you are NOT yet an ACE certified Professional, please submit a copy of your current government-issued photo ID.

If you are currently an ACE certified Professional, please submit a copy of your current government-issued photo ID as well as documentation of your name change (e.g., court order for name change, marriage license/certificate, divorce decree).

Specific to in-person testing at an exam site, the soonest you can register for an exam is 10 days in advance of the date you are seeking. Please keep in mind that exam dates and times differ from exam site to exam site.

In-person exams are offered at over 1300 sites worldwide. ACE utilizes the services of Meazure Learning for administration and delivery of exams. For security purposes, computer-based exams are offered only at Meazure Learning-approved, proctored exam sites. To find an exam site in your area, please visit the ACE Exam Registration webpage here: https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/schedule-your-exam/exam-locations/.

Once your exam registration has been approved, you will receive an email notification titled, "ACE Exam Admission Ticket: Please Print". All necessary information regarding your scheduled exam will be listed on your admission ticket, including directions and reporting room, as well as any instructions pertaining to parking and/or check-in. You will receive a reminder email from ACE Support seven days prior to your exam. Remember to take your admission ticket with you to your exam, along with your current government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms of government-issued ID include current state ID, driver's license, passport, passport card, AADHAAR card, green card, and military ID card.

To update the name on your exam registration, please email ExamRegistration@ACEfitness.org with your request and the required documentation outlined below:

If you are NOT yet an ACE certified Professional, please submit a copy of your current government-issued photo ID.

If you are currently an ACE certified Professional, please submit a copy of your current government-issued photo ID as well as documentation of your name change (e.g., court order for name change, marriage license/certificate, divorce decree).

In the event your ACE Exam is cancelled due to an emergency at the exam site, Meazure Learning will contact you via email and refer you to ACE to reschedule your exam at no additional cost. You may also reschedule your exam directly through your My ACE Account by clicking on "My Scheduled Exams and Results" followed by "Select New Date/Location".

You may reschedule your ACE Exam one time for a fee of $149. You must reschedule your exam by 11:59 pm PST the night before your exam. To reschedule, log into your My ACE Account and click on "My Scheduled Exams and Results" under the "My Exam Information" section in the left-hand navigation. Your "Exam Registration" page will load. Next to "Tools & Resources", click on "Reschedule Exam Date". If you are testing with special accommodations, please contact the ACE Exam Registration Department via email (ExamRegistration@acefitness.org) or phone (800-825-3636, ext. 3) for assistance with rescheduling. Candidates who do not attend their exam, nor reschedule prior to the reschedule deadline, will be subject to the first-time exam fee when scheduling a new exam date. Exceptions to the reschedule fee will be considered on a case-by-case basis for documented illness, passing of an immediate family member, inclement weather, jury duty, and military orders. In these instances, a candidate must contact the ACE Exam Registration Department four days prior to their scheduled exam date and provide supporting documentation. All documentation submitted must be on official letterhead, signed, dated, and specifically conflict with the date of your exam. Please note, work conflicts, childcare issues, or lack of/failed transportation, as well as lack of readiness to sit for the exam, are not considered an exception to the reschedule fee policy.

The content, including each item (or question) on the ACE Exam, is the property of ACE and Meazure Learning. ACE Examinations are copyrighted, and all exam information is strictly confidential. You are prohibited from retaining, copying, distributing, disclosing, discussing, or receiving any examination content. This includes emailing, copying, or printing files and/or reconstructing content through memorization before, during, or after the exam. Doing so may result in disciplinary action. By proceeding with the exam, you are acknowledging and agreeing that you understand these restrictions and the consequences if you violate these restrictions.

Please report to the reporting room on time for your scheduled ACE Exam.

Be advised: Electronic devices (iPods, MP3 players, headphones, pagers, computers, PDAs, other electronic devices with memory, cameras, smart phones, cell phones, and optical readers) are prohibited. Food and beverages are not allowed in the exam room and smoking is not permitted at the exam site at any time. Personal writing utensils including paper, pencils, and books are not permitted. Coats, large jackets, hats, hoods, or any other headgear are not permitted in the exam room unless required for religious purposes. Please contact ExamRegistration@acefitness.org prior to your exam if you require accommodations for religious purposes. All other items are subject to the proctor's inspection. Sweaters and jackets without pockets are acceptable. Medicine, including cough drops, are not permitted unless permission is provided in advance. Weapons of any kind are not permitted. It is recommended you dress in layers as the temperature in the room may be unpredictable.

Note: Live test sites offer exam services to multiple agencies. There may be other individuals in the exam room who are sitting for alternate exams. The rules for those candidates sitting for alternate exams may be slightly different than the rules for your exam in terms of exam time, and what is and is not allowed at their computer station.

You will need to bring the following:

• Admission ticket 
• A current, government-issued photo identification with signature (i.e., driver's license, passport, passport card, state ID card, green card, AADHAAR, or military ID card). You will NOT be admitted without proper identification. Candidates who fail to provide proper identification will be considered a no-show and will forfeit exam fees. Please note the following:
  • Original identification documents are required.
  • Temporary IDs and expired IDs will not be accepted.
  • Your first and last name on your admission ticket must match the first and last name on your government-issued identification exactly.
  • Nicknames are not acceptable for the purpose of high stakes testing.
  • If you have more than one last name listed on your government-issued photo ID, the same last names must be reflected on your admission ticket.
  • If you have a hyphenated last name, it must be hyphenated on both the identification and on the admission ticket to sit for your exam.
  • Be advised, presenting name change documentation (e.g., marriage license, divorce decree) at the time of your exam is NOT acceptable. Name change documentation must be submitted to ACE at least one week prior to your exam date.

If you happen to experience any technical difficulties or have questions/concerns while testing, be sure to speak with the proctor IMMEDIATELY regarding your issue(s).

Note: The proctor is not permitted to assist you with any content-related questions, but is permitted to assist with technical issues. Please do NOT wait until your exam is complete to alert your proctor of any technical difficulties.

Exam candidates for all four ACE Certification programs will have access to a
basic four-function calculator with the following functions: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Candidates will have access to an online calculator that is part of Meazure Learning’s testing platform. Candidates are not allowed to bring their own calculators. This act would constitute cheating and be subject to“ACE’s Professional Practices and Disciplinary Procedures”. 

The soonest you may retake your ACE Exam is ten days following your failed exam date, unless special testing accommodations are required. However, candidates have up to one year from their first attempt to retake their exam at a discounted price point.

ACE Professionals will have immediate access to their digital credential via their MyACE account. From there, Professionals can print, email, and share their certificates on a variety of platforms including social media.

ACE has moved entirely to digital credentials as of August 11, 2021. This means all ACE Professionals have immediate access to their certificate upon passing their exam. To view your certificate please login to your MyACE account and click Access My Credentials.

Exam content outlines for ACE Certification Programs are updated each time ACE conducts a Role Delineation Study for the certification program, which occurs on a five-year rotating basis for the ACE Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, and Health Coach Certification Programs, and every five to seven years for the ACE Medical Exercise Specialist Certification Program. This is a critical step to ensure that professional certification programs stay relevant and current, with examinations that reflect the composition and focus as established and validated through the Role Delineation Study. Exam content outlines serve as blueprints for the development of each exam for a given certification program. ACE Certification Exam content outlines are typically divided into major areas of responsibility called Domains. Each Domain represents a logical grouping of Task Statements that detail the job-related functions under each domain. Each Task Statement has associated knowledge and skills deemed necessary to perform the task in a practical setting.

Detailed exam content outlines with complete knowledge and skill statements for each ACE Certification Program can be found below:

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

The COVID-19 situation continues to remain very fluid. At this time, mask-wearing policies will vary based on different state, city, and test venue policies. Candidates must bring a mask to the testing center in case the center requires a mask. Even if the testing center does not require a mask, you will be permitted to wear one if you prefer. Failure to follow the testing site policy may result in a dismissal and forfeiture of your exam fee. 

If an exam site closes, you will receive a notification from our testing agency, Meazure Learning, informing you of the site closure. You will then be directed to the ACE website to choose a new exam date. For a list of site closures, click here: https://assessments.meazurelearning.com/mainsite/ibtsites/site_closings.aspx.

You may find some sites are still closed due to COVID-19 and have removed testing opportunities from the scheduling calendar; however, there are currently over 1200 exam sites open worldwide. Exam sites are taking extra precautions to maintain a clean and safe environment for exam candidates. Regular cleanings are occurring, and proctors are spacing candidates according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) social distancing recommendations. Candidates are permitted, or may be required, to wear a mask. The mask must remain in place throughout the exam and is subject to proctor inspection when testing at an exam site. Please click here for a list of site closures: https://assessments.meazurelearning.com/mainsite/ibtsites/site_closings.aspx.

Some sites are requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination at the time of check-in or documentation for a medical or religious exemption. Please click on site details if you are not registered yet, or refer to your ACE admission ticket for specific requirements at the testing site you have chosen.

The content, including each item (or question) on the ACE Exam, is the property of ACE and Meazure Learning. ACE Examinations are copyrighted, and all exam information is strictly confidential. You are prohibited from retaining, copying, distributing, disclosing, discussing, or receiving any examination content. This includes emailing, copying, or printing files and/or reconstructing content through memorization before, during, or after the exam. Doing so may result in disciplinary action. By proceeding with the exam, you are acknowledging and agreeing that you understand these restrictions and the consequences if you violate these restrictions.

During a live remote proctored exam, candidates are expected to display the same testing behaviors as they would during an exam offered at an exam site with an in-person proctor. Please report on time for your scheduled ACE Exam.

Be advised: Electronic devices (iPods, MP3 players, headphones, pagers, computers, PDAs, other electronic devices with memory, cameras, smart phones, cell phones, and optical readers) are prohibited. Food and beverages are not allowed during your exam, and smoking is not permitted at any time. Personal writing utensils including paper, pencils, and books are not permitted. Coats, large jackets, hats, hoods, or any other headgear are not permitted in the exam room unless required for religious purposes. Please contact ExamRegistration@acefitness.org prior to your exam if you require accommodations for religious purposes. All other items are subject to the proctor's inspection. Sweaters and jackets without pockets are acceptable. Medicine, including cough drops, are not permitted unless permission is provided in advance. If the temperature of the room you will be testing in could be unpredictable, then it is recommended you dress in layers for your exam.

If you are not confident which time zone you are in, please Google this information prior to selecting your exam time.

Meazure Learning offers live remote proctored testing (LRP) 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Exam times are based upon supply and demand and are first come first serve. LRP provides candidates with more flexibility to sit for their exam. Candidates should check their schedules for any potential conflicts prior to selecting an exam date and time.

To schedule your specific exam date and time for your LRP exam, please refer to the American Council on Exercise Notice to Schedule email that you receive within 24 hours of registering for your exam. The email is sent from candidatesupport@meazurelearning.com and in the email is a link, username, and password to use to schedule your LRP exam.

No, the exam fees are the same for either test delivery option.

Yes, we encourage exam candidates who are ready to sit for their exam to reschedule to a live remote proctored exam.

Upon initiation of the exam registration process, the option for live remote proctoring (LRP) will appear as "Online (at-home)". LRP allows candidates to sit for their ACE Exam within 60-days of registration. Candidates will select the "Online (at-home)" as their testing option and proceed through the registration process accordingly. It is important to note that candidates do not schedule their date or time for their LRP exam in their My ACE Accounts. To select your desired exam date and time, please refer to the "ACE Notice to Schedule" email, which will be sent from candidatesupport@meazurelearning.com within 24 hours of completing your registration.

Currently, extra time (time plus one half) is the only request that can be accommodated through live remote proctoring. Candidates with documented visual, physical, hearing, and/or learning disabilities that would prevent them from taking an examination under standard conditions, may request special testing accommodations and arrangements. Candidates with limited English proficiency, where English is not their primary language, may request extra testing time, which would allow for 4.5 hours of testing time rather than 3 hours. If you believe you are eligible for extra time on your ACE Exam, please submit your supporting documentation to ExamRegistration@acefitness.org prior to registration. An Exam Registration Representative will contact you to assist with placing your registration. Please note: ACE and Meazure Learning require at least 5 days notice for special accommodation requests for live remote proctoring.

If your initial LRP exam was scheduled with accommodations and you are rescheduling within your original 60-day eligibility window, then your accommodations will automatically be carried over. If you are rescheduling for an exam date beyond your original 60-day eligibility window, please contact ACE Exam Registration via email (ExamRegistration@acefitness.org) or phone (888-825-3636) to ensure your accommodations are requested with your new registration.

Please refer to your Notice to Schedule email for the specific policies concerning rescheduling and cancelling. You may reschedule up to 24 hours in advance of your scheduled exam time. To reschedule your exam, click on this link (https://www.scantronassessment.com/registration/asp/login.asp) and log in with the username and password provided to you in your Notice to Schedule email from candidatesupport@meazurelearning.com.

The date shown in your ACE account is the date that your exam must be taken by which is 60-days from the time you registered. The date in the Meazure Learning platform will reflect the date and time you selected. If you choose a date beyond your 60-day eligibility window, you will receive messaging in red that states, "The date you have chosen is outside of your eligibility period. If needed, please return to Meazure Learning's scheduling system via your Notice to Schedule to review your eligibility period".

No. You may not have any open windows and/or files on your computer during your ACE Exam. Note, if you do have open windows and/or files open on your computer when first connecting via cloud-based video communications app, the proctor will be able to see those items. If you have not closed all window and files prior to check-in, then you will need to close all documents, programs, browser tabs, etc. prior to the start of your exam.

You may access your exam no more than 15 minutes prior to your scheduled exam time. Note: The proctor will log on at your scheduled start time.

Similiar to testing at a live exam site, you will have three hours to complete your LRP exam unless special testing accommodations have been requested and approved. Please note, your exam time begins after the check-in process and after the demo should you choose to view it.

To access the ProctorU portal on your scheduled exam day and time, please navigate to https://www.scantronassessment.com/registration/app/#/login using either Google Chrome or Firefox, and log in using the username and password provided in your Notice to Schedule email or your Scheduling Confirmation Notice. Upon logging into Meazure Learning's system, you will read and agree to the Attestation Statement. Select "continue" to access the Examity portal. Click the "Start Exam" button to connect with your proctor. Candidates will be prompted to add the ProctorU extension to their web browser — Mozilla, Firefox, or Google Chrome are acceptable browsers. A room scan will be required before the exam can begin. Be sure your webcam can be rotated to view the entire room and workspace. The proctor will complete the check-in process by verifying your identity via your current government-issued photo ID. Upon verification, the proctor will log you into your exam. You will need the exam password to access your exam. Your exam password can be found on your Scheduling Confirmation Notice or your ACE Exam Admission Ticket. Live remote proctored exams are delivered via secure internet connections. Internet connections are subject to the local internet providers in the area. While it is not the norm, internet connections can, on occasion, be lost momentarily, requiring the proctor to log you back into your examination. If your internet connection is lost at any time, you will need to re-establish your connection and proceed through the process of connecting with the proctor once more. Upon reconnecting with the proctor, inform the proctor that your connection was lost, and they will assist with logging you back into your exam. Upon logging back into your exam, you will resume at the first unanswered question. Your exam time remaining will be the same as it was when the internet connection was lost. Even though internet connections are secure, candidates are strictly prohibited from attempting to access any information, programs, or websites while testing. Friends and relatives, including children and/or pets, will NOT be allowed in the room, or in the vicinity, in which you are testing.

If you experience a technical issue during your LRP exam, please notify the proctor immediately. The proctor will do all they can to assist you in troubleshooting your issue; however, if they are unable to resolve the issue, then they may prompt you to contact ACE to reschedule your exam. If you are prompted to do so, please contact ACE Exam Registration via email (ExamRegistration@acefitness.org) or phone (888-825-3636) within 48 hours of your scheduled exam.

Please have your Scheduling Confirmation Notice and your current government-issued photo ID available. Acceptable forms of ID include a current state ID, driver's license, passport, passport card, AADHAR card, green card, and military ID card. Temporary and expired photo IDs will not be acceptable. Your ID will need to be in English so that it can be verified by the proctor during the check in process. If the ID cannot be verified, you will be asked to reschedule your appointment to a local test site. Note: You will not be asked to show your CPR/AED card or certificate on the day of your exam.

• Cameras, smart phones, cell phones, optical readers, or other electronic devices that include the ability to photograph, photocopy, or otherwise copy exam materials.
• Notes, books, manuals, dictionaries, or language dictionaries.
• Book bags or luggage, purses or handbags, iPods, mp3 players, headphones, or pagers.
• Calculators (Note: an online calculator is built into the exam system for candidates to use), computers, PDAs, or other electronic devices with one or more memories, personal writing utensils (e.g., pencils, pens, highlighters), watches, food and beverage, and coats and jackets.
• Hats, hoods, or other headwear are not permitted while testing unless required for religious purposes. If you require special accommodations due to religious purposes, please email ACE Exam Registration (ExamRegistration@acefitness.org) prior to registering for your exam to ensure your testing needs can be met.
• Sweaters and sweatshirts without pockets or hoods are permitted.
• All items are subject to inspection by the proctor if suspicious behavior is detected.

Exam candidates for all four ACE Certification programs will have access to a basic four-function calculator with the following functions: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Candidates will have access to an online calculator that is part of Meazure Learning’s testing platform. Candidates are not allowed to bring their own calculators. This act would constitute cheating and be subject to“ACE’s Professional Practices and Disciplinary Procedures”. 

No, there is no restriction regarding which test delivery method you choose to retake your ACE Exam.

Candidates may not take a live remote proctored exam on a smart phone, tablet, iPad, nor Chromebook. Please review technical requirements for live remote proctored (LRP) prior to registration.

To sit for a live remote proctored (LRP) ACE Certification Exam, your computer must meet the following technical requirements:

• Webcam installed on your exam workstation.
• A webcam with 640x480 video pixel resolution. Note: A laptop camera is acceptable.
• Reliable access to the Internet. Internet connection disruption will suspend the exam session.
• A high-speed Internet connection of 2 mbps upload and 2 mbps download. Wireless is acceptable; however a wired-connection is preferred.
• A well-working computer with 1 GB of RAM or higher.
• Working speakers connected to the computer.
• A microphone connected to the computer - consider a webcam with a built-in microphone.
• You must use a computer with admin access and the computer must have Windows or MAC OS.
• VPN must be disabled.
• Browser compatibility: Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac users will need to download Google Chrome.
• Pop-up blockers must be disabled to connect to the exam. For information on how to disable pop-up blockers for specific browsers, please click here.
• Note: Chromebooks cannot be used as a testing device. Additionally, smart phones and tablets cannot be used as testing devices.

When ACE Certification Exams are administered at live test sites, the environment is controlled by ACE's testing vendor, Meazure Learning. Live remote proctored (LRP) exams place the burden of establishing an ideal testing environment on the candidate. Considerations the candidate must think about prior to committing to a live remote proctored exam include:

• Do I have a private room/space/area free from people, animals, etc.? 
• Do I have a workstation and environment (e.g., comfortable seating at a hard desk or table surface, ergonomically friendly workstation, proper lighting, comfortable room temperature) that will allow me to perform to the best of my ability?
• Is my computer compatible with LRP requirements?
• Do I have adequate high-speed Internet connection?
• Will I be free of noise and other distractions during my ACE Exam?