ACE certification cost starts at $499, the price of the Personal Trainer exam on its own. Most people buy a study program first, and then the exam is a $99 add-on. At list price, a program plus the exam comes to $1,088 to $1,848.
Those list prices are rarely the final word, because ACE discounts its study programs often. This guide breaks down each fee, from retakes to renewal. It also compares ACE with four other personal trainer certifications, so you can see where your money goes furthest.
or $99 when added to an ACE study program
What does each ACE study program cost?
ACE sells three Personal Trainer study programs: Basic, Plus, and Advantage. Each adds more support, from digital materials up to guided study. None of them includes the accredited exam, which you add for $99 at checkout.
- Exam only: $499, with no study materials
- Basic program: $989 list price, plus $99 for the exam
- Plus program: $1,169 list price, plus $99 for the exam
- Advantage program: $1,749 list price, plus $99 for the exam
- Exam retake: $249 within one year, if you didn’t buy a retest voucher
- Renewal: $129 every two years, plus 2.0 continuing education credits
Preparing for certification through ACE means having the best study program based on the latest scientific evidence and learning-design best practices, demanding recognition and respect from those in the industry.
Cedric X. Bryant, PhD, then president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise
Sale prices change the math. When we checked in September 2026, ACE had cut all three programs by about 40%. The Basic program was $593.40 and the Advantage program $1,049.40. If you aren’t in a hurry, waiting for a promotion can save you several hundred dollars.
How does ACE compare with other personal trainer certifications?
ACE is one of five major personal trainer certifications in the US, alongside NASM, ISSA, NSCA, and ACSM. Each one prices its exam differently and publishes its own pass rate. If ISSA is on your shortlist, our ISSA certification price guide goes deeper.
Compared
ACE vs. other personal trainer certifications
| Certification | Exam fee | Exam length | Pass rate | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACE-CPT | $499 alone, or $99 with a study program | 150 questions (125 scored) | 65% | $129 every 2 years |
| NASM-CPT | $599 alone | 120 questions (100 scored) | 85% | $99 every 2 years |
| ISSA-CPT | Plans from $89 a month | Up to 200 questions | 95% | $99 every 2 years |
| NSCA-CPT | $300 members, $435 non-members | 155 questions (140 scored) | 77% | Every 3 years |
| ACSM-CPT | $310 members, $410 non-members | 135 questions (120 scored) | 53% | $60 every 3 years |
Figures published by each organization, checked Sept 28, 2026. Pass rates are self-reported; NASM, NSCA, and ACSM rates are for 2025. Full references in the Sources section.
The exam fee is only part of the picture. Study materials, membership, and renewal all shape what each option really costs.
- NASM sells a Corrective Exercise Specialization as an add-on to its CPT. Our breakdown of what the NASM exam costs covers the details.
- ISSA prices its CPT as a plan from $89 a month, rather than one upfront fee.
- ACSM and NSCA both charge members less for the exam, so joining first can lower the fee.
Is ACE certification worth it?
For many new trainers, yes. ACE’s Personal Trainer exam is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), a standard many gyms look for. ACE also offers a Health Coach certification, which it describes as the only health coach credential accredited by the NCCA. The ACE Health Coach certification cost starts at $1,309 list price, with the exam included.
beenhereThinking beyond the exam?A certificate is the first step. To see where an ACE credential can take you, read our guide to building a personal training career.
Earnings are the other half of the equation. Fitness trainers and instructors earned a median of $47,160 a year in May 2025. That works out to $22.67 an hour, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay varies with location, experience, and the kind of clients you train.
beenhereHow we get this dataWe check every price, exam detail, and pass rate against the certifying organization’s own website. The figures in this article were last checked on Sept 28, 2026. Prices change often, so confirm them before you buy.
Sources
- "Personal Trainer Certification," American Council on Exercise. Available at: https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/personal-trainer-certification/. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "ACE Personal Trainer Exam Options," American Council on Exercise. Available at: https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/exam-options/personal-trainer/. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "Schedule Your ACE Certification Exam," American Council on Exercise. Available at: https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/schedule-your-exam/. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "ACE Certification Renewal Guide," American Council on Exercise. Available at: https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/recertification/. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "ACE Personal Trainer Certification: Everything You Need to Know Before Enrolling," American Council on Exercise (reprinted from Sports Illustrated), 2024. Available at: https://www.acefitness.org/about-ace/press-room/in-the-news/8609/ace-personal-trainer-certification-everything-you-need-to-know-before-enrolling-sports-illustrated/. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "American Council on Exercise Launches All-New Personal Trainer Certification Study Program," American Council on Exercise, 2020. Available at: https://www.acefitness.org/about-ace/press-room/press-releases/7605/american-council-on-exercise-launches-all-new-personal-trainer-certification-study-program/. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "How to Become a Health Coach," American Council on Exercise. Available at: https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/health-coach-certification/how-to-become-a-health-coach.aspx. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "Military Financial Assistance," American Council on Exercise. Available at: https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/military-financial-assistance/. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "529 Plan," American Council on Exercise. Available at: https://www.acefitness.org/529-plan/. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "Your ACE Certification Is Now More Recognized Worldwide," American Council on Exercise. Available at: https://www.acefitness.org/resources/everyone/blog/8308/your-ace-certification-is-now-more-recognized-worldwide/. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "Certified Personal Trainer," National Academy of Sports Medicine. Available at: https://www.nasm.org/certified-personal-trainer. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "CPT 7 Exam," National Academy of Sports Medicine. Available at: https://www.nasm.org/products/cpt-7-exam. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "NASM Recertification and Renewal Information," National Academy of Sports Medicine. Available at: https://www.nasm.org/products/nasm-recertification-and-renewal-information. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "Corrective Exercise Specialization," National Academy of Sports Medicine. Available at: https://www.nasm.org/products/corrective-exercise-specialization. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "Certified Personal Trainer," International Sports Sciences Association. Available at: https://www.issaonline.com/certifications/personal-trainer/. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "ISSA Recertification," International Sports Sciences Association. Available at: https://www.issaonline.com/resources/requirements. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "Certification Fees," National Strength and Conditioning Association. Available at: https://www.nsca.com/certification/fees/. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "NSCA Certification Exam: A Year in Review," National Strength and Conditioning Association. Available at: https://www.nsca.com/certification/certification-resources/nsca-exam-report/. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "Personal Trainer," American College of Sports Medicine. Available at: https://www.acsm.org/certification/get-certified/personal-trainer. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "Frequently Asked Questions," American College of Sports Medicine. Available at: https://acsm.org/certification/get-certified/faqs/. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "Exam Performance & Certification Operations," American College of Sports Medicine. Available at: https://acsm.org/certification/professional-resources/about/. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "Recertification," American College of Sports Medicine. Available at: https://acsm.org/certification/recertification/. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
- "Fitness Trainers and Instructors," Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2026. Available at: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm. Accessed 28 Sept. 2026.
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