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 International Consortium for Health and Wellness Coaches (ICHWC)‡
  • 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: credentialingexcellence.org

‡A list of ICHWC-approved training and education programs can be found at: ichwc.org/organizations

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. 

Exam vouchers cannot be extended. Vouchers must be redeemed within 6 months from the date of purchase. Note: This 6-month timeframe is a deadline simply to register for the exam, not a deadline to sit for your exam.

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 attain pre-approval to sit for the ACE Health Coach Certification Exam, click here: https://www.acefitness.org/myace/exam-preapproval/hc/.

To attain pre-approval to sit for the ACE Medical Exercise Specialist Certification Exam, click here: https://www.acefitness.org/myace/exam-preapproval/mes/.

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).

ACE has compiled the most commonly asked exam preparation questions at ACE Answers: https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/ace-answers/.

Prior to registering for your ACE Exam, you must take a course that covers CPR and AED for the adult population and has a hands on (in-person or virtual) skills check. ACE has compiled a list of the most commonly submitted CPR/AED providers for your reference: https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/certified-cpr/.

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 Scantron 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.

To update the name on your My ACE Account/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).

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 Scantron Corporation for administration and delivery of exams. For security purposes, computer-based exams are offered only at Scantron-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/.

Computer-Based (U.S. and Canada only)	PT	GFI	Health Coach	CMES
First Time	$499	$249	$499	$499
Retake	$249	$199	$249	$249
2nd ACE Certification	$249	$199	$249	$249
Formerly ACE Certified Professional	$199	$199	$199	$199
Reschedule	$149	$149	$149	$149

 

Computer-Based Format (International)	PT	GFI	Health Coach	CMES
First Time	$499	$249	$499	$499
Retake	$249	$199	$249	$249
2nd ACE Certification	$249	$199	$249	$249
Formerly ACE Certified Professional	$199	$199	$199	$199
Reschedule	$149	$149	$149	$149

 

Simplified Chinese Language Exam (All Locations)	PT	GFI	Health Coach	CMES
First Time	$599		$599
Retake	$299		$299
2nd ACE Certification	$299		$299
Reschedule	$249		$249

If you have purchased an ACE Study Program that includes an exam voucher and you register for your exam prior to your voucher expiration date, then your exam voucher will automatically be applied at checkout.

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).

If you have been selected for the CPR audit, please upload a copy of your current CPR/AED certificate or card (both sides) here for us to verify: https://www.acefitness.org/myace/cprsubmit.aspx. Upon verification, ACE will remove the hold from your account.

If you have an accounting or payment hold on your account, please contact PaymentPlan@acefitness.org.

Yes, you can (and should) still sit for your ACE Exam even with a hold on your account. However, upon passing your ACE Exam, your certification will not be issued until the hold on your account is cleared.

In the event your ACE Exam is cancelled due to an emergency at the exam site, Scantron 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 cancel your ACE Exam if you no longer plan to attend and do not intend to reschedule. Exams that were registered for using an exam voucher may be cancelled but are not eligible for a refund, and the voucher may not be used for a future exam. If an exam voucher was not used to place a registration and the request to cancel is made at least 30 days prior to the exam scheduled exam date, then a candidate is eligible for a 50% refund of the exam fee paid. Exceptions to the refund policy are considered on a case-by-case basis for documented cases of serious illness, bereavement, natural disasters, or other emergencies. To apply for a refund please email the ACE Exam Registration Department: ExamRegistration@acefitness.org.

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) 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.

All ACE Candidates are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner in on the day of their ACE Exam. This includes cooperating with, and being considerate of, the proctor(s) and/or other candidates in the exam room.

The content, including each item (or question) on the ACE Exam, is the property of ACE and Scantron Corporation. 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: Computer-based 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 Scantron’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”. 

If you experienced an issue during your exam that you would like ACE to be aware of, please email your concerns within 24 hours of your completed exam to the following email address: ExamRegistration@acefitness.org.

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.

Note: Retake vouchers are included in select ACE Study Programs. If your study program includes a retake voucher, it will drop into your My ACE Account immediately after your first exam attempt. The retake voucher gives candidates 60 days to register for a retake exam.

To update your name on your My ACE Account and ACE Certification, please email proof of your name change (e.g., court order for name change, marriage certificate/license, divorce decree) and a copy of your current government-issued photo ID reflecting your current name to ExamRegistration@ACEfitness.org.

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.

To learn more about CECs and the renewal process, click here: https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/recertification/

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.

Computer-Based (U.S. and Canada only)	PT	GFI	Health Coach	CMES
Retake	$249	$199	$249	$249

 

Computer-Based Format (International)	PT	GFI	Health Coach	CMES
Retake	$249	$199	$249	$249

 

Simplified Chinese Language Exam (All Locations)	PT	GFI	Health Coach	CMES
Retake	$299		$299

To pass your ACE Certification Exam and become ACE Certified, you must earn a score of at least 500 out of a possible score of 800.

All four ACE Certification Programs have competency-based assessments comprised of multiple-choice exams with 125 scored items (or questions) and 25 experimental items (or questions) that make up the entire certification exam. Candidates are given three hours to complete an ACE Exam for any of the four ACE Certification Programs.

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

All four ACE Certification Exams consist of 150 multiple-choice questions. 125 of the 150 questions are scored while the other 25 are experimental questions are not scored and thus do not count towards your overall exam score. Candidates are given three hours to complete their ACE Exam. Exam results are available immediately upon submission of your exam. Additionally, you will see your exam results posted in your My ACE Account under the "My Scheduled Exams and Results" section.

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. 

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. To read more about Scantron's exam site updates please visit: https://www.scantron.com/site-closures-delays/.

If an exam site closes, you will receive a notification from our testing agency, Scantron Corporation, 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://www.scantron.com/site-closures-delays/.

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 1300 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://www.scantron.com/site-closures-delays/".

During this COVID-19 crisis, ACE recognizes there is extremely limited availability of live skills-checks for CPR/AED in response to the CDC's social distancing recommendations. To accommodate ACE Certification Candidates and ACE Certified Professionals who need to recertify, we are temporarily waiving the live skills-check requirement through December 31, 2022.

If you enroll in a blended CPR/AED course that includes online and live (or in-person components) we will accept a certificate of completion for just the online portion to satisfy your CPR/AED requirements to sit for the exam or renew your certification. Please view CPR/AED course options here.

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.

Yes, ACE does currently offer live remote proctoring internationally to those candidates who wish to take English-language exams for the ACE Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Health Coach, and Medical Exercise Specialist Certifications.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) initially approved NCCA-accredited certification programs to offer testing using live remote proctoring (LRP) for a limited time with the potential that it may become a more permanent option for test-takers. As of November 16, 2020, the NCCA announced that NCCA-accredited certification programs may continue to offer LRP indefinitely.

All ACE Candidates are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner during their ACE Exam. This includes cooperating with, and being considerate of, the proctor.

The content, including each item (or question) on the ACE Exam, is the property of ACE and Scantron Corporation. 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.

Yes, the NCCA has conducted a pilot study to determine the effectiveness, validity, and security of live remote proctoring. The results of this pilot study provided sufficient evidence that live remote proctoring is acceptable long-term for NCCA-accredited certification programs. Moving forward, ACE will continue offer LRP exams while maintaining NCCA-accreditation of ACE Certification Programs.

Live remote proctoring (LRP) is a method for administering certification exams to candidates on their own computer through a secure online delivery system. With LRP, a proctor actively watches and monitors the candidate during the exam administration to provide real time security to protect exam integrity. This allows ACE to offer exam candidates the option to sit for ACE Certification Exams from their home should candidates not want to test at a computer-based exam site.

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.

Currently, ACE is offering LRP exams in English only for the ACE Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Health Coach, and Medical Exercise Specialist Certifications.

1. Enable pop-up blockers
2. Use a personal computer to prevent firewall and VPN issues
3. Using a proper device (ex: laptop, desktop - NOT a tablet or Chromebook)
4. Ensure reliable internet connection - wireless is acceptable but wired is preferred
5. Ensure webcam and microphone are functional
6. Use correct web browser (ex: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox - NOT Safari)

Yes, exam vouchers may be redeemed for a live remote proctored ACE certification exam. Please note: Currently, this option only applies to candidates registering for English-language exams for the ACE Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Health Coach, and Medical Exercise Specialist Certification Exams.

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

Scantron 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@scantron.com and in the email is a link, username, and password to use to schedule your LRP exam.

For live remote proctoring, you must schedule your exam date and time at least 24 hours in advance of your requested exam time.

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 submitting your exam registration with ACE, you will have 60 days to sit for your ACE Exam via live remote proctoring.

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@scantron.com within 24 hours of completing your registration.

All candidates who choose to test via live remote proctoring are assigned a 60-day eligibility window, which allows candidates to choose any exam date within 60-days of registration. Note: You may see the words, "eligibility window" and "eligibility period" used interchangeably.

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 Scantron 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.

A candidate may reschedule their ACE Exam up to 24 hours prior to their scheduled exam time. The reschedule will be free of charge as long as a candidate is rescheduling within their original 60-day eligibility window. The candidate must reschedule their exam date and time by accessing Scantron's online scheduling system here: https://www.scantronassessment.com/registration/asp/login.asp. Should a candidate want to reschedule their exam for a date beyond their given 60-day eligibility window, the $149 reschedule fee will apply.

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@scantron.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 Scantron system will reflect the date and time you selected. Please follow the Schedule On or Before deadline on the Examity site. 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 Scantron's scheduling system via your Notice to Schedule to review your eligibility period".

Due to the security of the exam there are NO BREAKS of any kind allowed during your ACE Exam. If you leave your exam room for any reason, then your exam session will be terminated immediately. If you know you need to take a break(s) for any reason during your exam, ACE encourages you to register for a computer-based exam as breaks are permitted at exam sites.

No. You are not permitted to use scratch paper, nor personal writing utensils, during your LRP exam. However, you will have access to a basic 4-function calculator and an Open Notes feature via the test delivery program.

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 (e.g, GoTo Meeting, Zoom), 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 will not be permitted to use multiple monitors during your ACE Exam. You may only use one monitor when sitting for your exam. Please disconnect any additional monitors prior to the start of your exam.

No. The wearing of earbuds of any kind during the exam is prohibited.

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 Examity 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 Scantron'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 Examity 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.

Candidates are expressly prohibited from having the following items in the room in which they are testing:

• 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 Scantron’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.

Computer-Based (U.S. and Canada only)	PT	GFI	Health Coach	CMES
Retake	$249	$199	$249	$249

 

Computer-Based Format (International)	PT	GFI	Health Coach	CMES
Retake	$249	$199	$249	$249

 

Simplified Chinese Language Exam (All Locations)	PT	GFI	Health Coach	CMES
Retake	$299		$299

You may retake your ACE Exam when you feel prepared to do so, but you do have up to one year to retake your exam at a discounted price point. ACE encourages you to review your score report (located in your My ACE Account) prior to scheduling your retake exam. Note: ACE provides complimentary study resources to candidates via ACE Answers, which can be found here: https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/ace-answers/".

You will receive your score upon submission of your exam. You may also access your score report in your My ACE Account.

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.
• You must download GoToMeeting in advance by clicking here.
• 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, Scantron Corporation. 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, 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?

Yes, it is recommended that you test your system prior to taking your exam.

• To configure your system for the LRP environment before the exam, click here: https://test.examity.com/systemcheck/ComputerReadinessCheck.aspx
• To check your system for Scantron's delivery system, click here: https://www.scantronassessment.com/pass/PassLogin/SystemRequirements.aspx

*Please test your system at a day and time similar to the day and time you anticipate sitting for your exam to ensure you will have the enough bandwidth when testing.

The NCCA maintains a directory of current NCCA accredited certifications, which you can view at: www.credentialingexcellence.org/nccadirectory.

NCCA stands for National Commission for Certifying Agencies and you can learn more about the NCCA at: www.credentialingexcellence.org/ncca.

In 2005, the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) recommended club owners only hire personal trainers with certifications from agencies accredited through the NCCA or an equivalent accrediting organization. You can read more about that recommendation here. We encourage you to pursue an ACE Certification.

Earning a certification accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) means that you as a fitness professional have the knowledge and appropriate level of professional recognition to hold a legitimate place on the healthcare continuum. It makes you more attractive to potential employers and should positively impact your compensation. Accreditation of a credentialing organization by NCCA is the standard for a large majority of well-respected allied health care professionals, including those in nursing, nutrition, and athletic training, to name a few.

ACE earned NCCA accreditation for all four of our core certifications (Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Health Coach, and Medical Exercise Specialist) in 2003. Our organization is one of the few select certifying organizations in the entire fitness industry whose core certifications have all been accredited.

All four of our core certifications (Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Health Coach, and Medical Exercise Specialist) are accredited by the NCCA.