Certification Standards
ACE's certification programs are among the most respected in the fitness
industry. The ACE certification exams and study materials have been developed
by leading experts (researchers and practitioners) in the fitness field. In
2003, the American Council on Exercise was granted accreditation for all of its
certification programs by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
ACE is now only one of two certifying organizations in the entire fitness
industry whose programs have been accredited.
Earning an ACE certification tells clients and employers that you have
acquired the knowledge necessary to provide a safe and effective exercise
regimen, and that you are committed to upholding the most exacting professional
standards in the fitness industry.
ACE currently offers four fitness certifications:
- Personal Trainer Certification - this is designated for
personal trainers providing one to one individual exercise instruction.
- Group Fitness Instructor Certification is designed for those
specializing in group exercise programs.
- Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant Certification
designates the required experience and knowledge to develop and implement
logical and balanced weight management programs that bring together the three critical components
of nutrition, behavior modification, programming and exercise.
- The Clinical Exercise Specialist Certification provides
an advanced certification that illustrates the expertise required to work with
men and women who have special needs and have been certified by their doctor
to undertake advanced exercise programs.
- Peer Fitness Trainer Certification
Program - This certification is intended for
firefighters and emergency medical technicians, and is offered exclusively through the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).
Am I eligible for certification - what are the requirements?
These requirements have been adopted specifically for our
certification exams:
- Age of at least 18 years.
- CPR
certification is required and it must be current at the time of the exam.
- It is strongly suggested that applicants poses a minimum of 100 Hrs of experience
in a related health and fitness field.
- Current ACE Personal Trainer, Group
Fitness Instructor or Clinical Exercise Specialist Certification, or
equivalent is required in order to take the Weight Management and Lifestyle Consultant
Certification program.
- In order to take the Clinical Exercise Specialist Certification Exam, you
must have 300 hours of work experience designing and implementing exercise
programs for apparently healthy individuals and/or high-risk individuals, as
documented by a qualified professional. You must also have a four-year
(bachelor's) degree in an exercise science or related field OR a current ACE
Personal Trainer Certification or other approved certification (ACSM, NSCA,
NASM).
Three to six months to study for the
exam is the average required time ACE recommends you allocate depending on your background. You may prepare yourself in any
manner and are solely responsible for your own exam
preparedness. |
