American Council on Exercise (ACE)

Certified Personal Trainer (ACE-CPT)

Credential: Certified Personal Trainer (ACE-CPT)  In-Demand resource  GI Bill resource  NCCA resource
Credentialing Agency: American Council on Exercise (ACE)

Renewal Period: 2 years

Personal Trainer Certification is designed for fitness trainers providing one-on-one or small-group fitness instruction. This is an entry level certification and requires applicants to pass the American Council on Exercise (ACE) Personal Trainer Certification exam. Personal Trainer Certification exam validates the applicant's knowledge of risk factor screening, fitness assessment, nutrition, exercise science, exercise programming and progressions, instructional and spotting techniques, lifestyle modification and professional scope of practice. The applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent, be at least 18 years of age, and hold current adult CPR and AED certificate.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Certified Personal Trainer (ACE-CPT)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

 

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience
  • Education: High School Diploma/GED
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 2 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

American Council on Exercise (ACE)

4851 Paramount Drive
San Diego, CA  92123

Phone: (800) 825-3636

Fax: (858) 576-6564
Email: support@acefitness.org

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Applicant must have completed high school (or the equivalent).

The Certified Personal Trainer (ACE-CPT) credential has the following other requirements:

  • Applicant must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Applicant must hold a current adult CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automated external defibrillator) certificate including live skills check.

Written Exam

  • Client Interviews and Assessments (31%)
    • Obtain health, medical, and exercise history and lifestyle information (e.g., personal, physical, environmental, nutritional, and occupational factors) using questionnaires, interviews, and available documents to determine risk stratification, identify the need for medical clearance and referrals, and facilitate program design.
    • Assess clients’ current attitudes, preferences, goals, and readiness for behavior change using questionnaires and interviews to identify potential barriers, motivators, and expectations necessary to set appropriate program goals.
    • Identify and evaluate the quality of client movement (e.g., balance, stability, and mobility) through observations and assessments, to develop appropriate exercise programming designed to improve movement efficiency and enhance activities of daily living, overall physical performance, and injury prevention and recovery.
    • Select and conduct physiological assessments (e.g., cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, body composition, heart rate, blood pressure) based on client interviews, questionnaires, and standardized protocols to facilitate safe and effective program design and to monitor changes over time.
  • Program Design and Implementation (33%)
    • Interpret the results of the client interview and assessment data (e.g., client goals, attitudes, motivations), define program goals, and design safe and effective exercise and lifestyle programs.
    • Apply appropriate exercise parameters (e.g., frequency, intensity, duration, type) and principles (e.g., overload, specificity, progression) for cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility using current guidelines to develop safe and effective exercise programs.
    • Incorporate skill-related exercises (e.g., stability, mobility, coordination, balance, power, speed, agility) and appropriate equipment into client programs, in accordance with scientific research, to improve movement efficiency and enhance activities of daily living, overall physical performance, and injury prevention and recovery.
    • Instruct clients on safe and effective exercise techniques (e.g., intensity, breathing, tempo, movement patterns, postural alignment) and equipment use, using a variety of cues (e.g., verbal, visual, kinesthetic) to achieve program goals.
  • Progression and Modification (19%)
    • Promote program adherence through reinforcement of client motivators, education regarding the benefits of exercise and leading a healthy lifestyle, and modification of program parameters to achieve program goals.
    • Recognize and respond to lapses in program adherence by identifying client barriers and helping to establish and
      implement support systems and/or solutions.
    • Routinely evaluate client exercise programs by using assessment data, observations, and client feedback to progress and modify programs as needed.
  • Professional Conduct, Safety, and Risk Management (17%)
    • Apply risk-management strategies in accordance with recognized standards, guidelines, laws, and regulations to protect the client, personal trainer, and other relevant parties in order to reduce the risk of injury and liability.
    • Document client-related data, communications, and progress using a secure record-keeping system in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements to maintain confidentiality and continuity of care, and to minimize liability.
    • Use credible resources to maintain and enhance competency by staying current with scientifically based research, theories, and practices in order to provide safe and effective services.
    • Conduct assessments of the exercise space, equipment, and environment in order identify potential hazards and undertake necessary modifications to provide a safe environment for clients and the personal trainer.

Testing Information

Testing for this credential is handled by Castle Worldwide. The test centers are located in the U.S.

To find out more, use the following links on the Castle Worldwide website:

For more information on the American Council on Exercise (ACE) testing process, visit the agency website.

RECERTIFICATION

Certified Personal Trainer (ACE-CPT)

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Certified Personal Trainer (ACE-CPT) credential has the following recertification information:

  • ACE certifications are valid for 2 years, and must be renewed through submission of 20 hours or more of ACE-approved continuing education, current CPR/AED certificate, and applicable renewal fees.

    Additional information can be found on the ACE website.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Promotion Points

This certification has been approved for promotion points.

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Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Proponent Funded

Indicates the credential may have funding through the MOS proponent. Some proponents offer credentialing opportunities in conjunction with military training and/or as part of MOS development beyond the training base.

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Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click 'Complete Voucher and Apply' at the top of any page.

CG Bucks

Coming Soon - Coast Guard policy regarding service member eligibility requirements to participate in the Voluntary Credentialing Program is under review with a projected release date of first quarter FY20.

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 and Above

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 and Above

LaDR

This credential is recommended on the rating Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR) for Sailors currently in the pay grade indicated on the icon, BUT MAY BE TAKEN BY SAILORS IN OTHER PAY GRADES.

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GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

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ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

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ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

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ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: mimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

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NKO e-learning

Credential preparation courses are provided at no cost through Navy e-Learning. Click for external link to the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) web site, then select the “Navy e-Learning” link within the “Learning” tab to proceed to Navy e-Learning.

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors
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Updated: October 16, 2019
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