ACE personal trainer certifications are self-paced and can be completed in as little as 3-6 months. Study packages include a variety of study materials and the certification exam. The premium and premium plus programs offer access to additional career materials.
ACE focuses on behavior change and includes much of this in their study materials. This is a great specialization for those interested in working with clients that have difficulty changing their lifestyle habits.
The ACE personal trainer exam is well-known for being one of the most difficult certifications to pass in the fitness industry. With only a 70% passing rate, it is important to study properly. Fortunately, there are many different ways to prepare for the ACE CPT exam. Using a combination of study techniques like virtual exams, flashcards, and mnemonic phrases can make all the difference. Moreover, it is a good idea to own the course textbook so that you can review the material on your own.
Unlike other fitness certifications, the ACE personal trainer program focuses on changing people’s mindsets towards exercise and health. This is why it places a huge emphasis on change psychology. Moreover, it also focuses on delivering practical knowledge to clients. This is why it is recommended that prospective candidates spend time studying several knowledge-specific texts, such as the ACE Personal Trainer Manual and our study guide. Taking practice tests is also a great way to gauge your progress and find out what areas you need to work on before the exam.
Prepare for the ACE - Personal Trainer Exam exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
One of the hardest personal training certification exams to pass is the ACE CPT Exam. 150 questions from the nearly 800-page textbook must be answered within the allotted three hours. Because it might be difficult to decide what to study, this can be extremely stressful.
The three-hour ACE personal training certification exam has 150 questions in total and follows a certain framework. The multiple-choice questions emphasize application and analysis more than remembering and defining words.
The ACE Personal Trainer Study Program is adaptable and self-paced, taking most students no longer than three to six months to finish.
Three to four months is recommended by ACE for studying and preparing for certification exams. You may require more or less time based on your situation.
There are 150 multiple-choice questions on each ACE Certification Exam. To obtain certification, all candidates must acquire a passing score of 500 or above.
ACE offers a variety of packages, each featuring a selection of study resources. The ACE CPT exam-only option, for instance, costs $399 and does not include any study materials, including the major textbook.
The cost of the ACE Personal Trainer certification exam is between $219 and $249.
Obtaining your ACE Certification is a three-step process. The initial part consists of completing Infofit’s Fitness Theory Course and earning a course completion letter. The second step consists of finishing Infofit’s Personal Training Fundamentals (Weight Training Course) and Basic CPR and First Aid Course (8 hours). The final phase entails passing the ACE Trainer Certification Exam and maintaining your ACE Certification Registration. The ACE Requirements include being at least 18 years old and possessing CPR certification for adults. Initial Exam Fees are USD 399 and Retake Fees are USD 249. Passing the exam requires approximately 68%. Exam Specifics include anatomy, physiology, nutrition, client screening, assessment, and communication, exercise science, programming, instruction, spotting techniques, lifestyle change, and professional scope of practice.
The processes required to earn ACE personal trainer certification are outlined below:
Take the test in the convenience of your home. We are glad to provide you with the option of using a live remote proctor for your ACE Certification Exam.
ACE receives a 9 and NASM receives a 9.4 on a scale from 1 to 10. Both of these certificates do an outstanding job of teaching all the skills necessary to be an effective personal trainer.
One of the toughest exams in the fitness business is the ACE CPT exam.
The 150 multiple-choice questions on the ACE Personal Trainer exam are divided into 4 subject categories.
The ACE Personal Trainer Certification Exam is an exam administered through the computer.
It is not an open-book exam, but the study materials you use can help you focus on the key concepts in the large (500-page) textbook and master the material you need to succeed as a certified personal trainer. One can study using a variety of methods.
Any fitness professional who has received certification from ACE, the American Council of Exercise, is referred to as an ACE-certified personal trainer.
The ACE certification exam for personal trainers consists of three hours and a total of 150 questions. Rather than recalling and defining terminology, the multiple-choice questions emphasize application and interpretation. This section contains questions about real-world client service scenarios.
To arrange the ACE (American Council on Exercise) personal trainer certification exam, you must visit an authorized testing center. PSI Services LLC and ACE have teamed to administer ACE’s tests. PSI offers multiple testing sites throughout the United States and in a few foreign countries.
PCA candidates often also prepare with our HHA practice test 2026 — both certify personal care aide and home health attendant competencies for community-based care.
Fitness professionals preparing for their NASM exam often also study the CNA Practice Test 2026 to understand foundational anatomy and patient care principles that overlap with personal training knowledge.
Physician practice managers broadening their medical billing knowledge often cross-prepare with the CPC Exam Practice Test 2026, which covers CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10 coding standards critical to accurate claims processing and revenue cycle management.
Optometry board candidates can complement their preparation with the Pharmacy Technician Practice Test 2026 to reinforce pharmacology and ocular drug knowledge tested across clinical licensing exams.