American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)

Certified Personal Trainer (ACSM-CPT)

Credential: Certified Personal Trainer (ACSM-CPT)  In-Demand resource  GI Bill resource  NCCA resource
Credentialing Agency: American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)

Renewal Period: 3 years

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), Certified Personal Trainer (ACSM-CPT) certification recognizes fitness professionals who use research-based techniques to help people of all fitness levels reach personal fitness goals. The ACSM-CPT facilitates motivation and adherence as well as develops and administers programs designed to enhance muscular strength, endurance, flexibility, cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, and/or any of the motor skill related components of physical fitness. ACSM-CPTs have the practical and scientific knowledge to work in a variety of facilities, including health clubs, gyms, university, corporate, and community or public fitness centers, and hold positions ranging from freelance to full-time. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, have a high school diploma or the equivalent, and possess Adult CPR/AED certification to take the ACSM-CPT exam.

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

Certified Personal Trainer (ACSM-CPT)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

 

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite: Adult CPR/AED Certification
  • 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: 3 years

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

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)

401 West Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN  46202-3233

Phone: (317) 637-9200

Fax: (317) 634-7817
Contact Page

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Applicants must possess current Adult CPR/AED certification.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

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

  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

Written Exam

  • Initial Client Consultation and Assessment (25%)
    • Provide documents and clear instructions to the client in preparation for the initial interview.
    • Interview the client to gather and provide pertinent information prior to fitness testing and program design.
    • Review and analyze client data to identify risk, formulate a plan of action, and conduct physical assessments
    • Evaluate behavioral readiness and develop strategies to optimize exercise adherence.
    • Assess the components of health- and/or skill-related fitness to establish baseline values, set goals, and develop individualized programs.
    • Develop a plan and timeline for reassessing physical fitness, goals, and related behaviors.
  • Exercise Programming and Implementation (45%)
    • Review the client's goals, medical history, and assessment results and determine exercise prescription.
    • Select exercise modalities to achieve the desired adaptations based on the client's goals, medical history and assessment results
    • Determine initial Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type, Volume and Progression (i.e., FITT-VP Principle) of exercise based on the client's goals, medical history, and assessment results.
    • Review the proposed program with the client, demonstrate exercises, and teach the client how to perform each exercise.
    • Monitor the client's technique and response to exercise, providing modifications as necessary.
    • Recommend exercise progressions to improve or maintain the client's fitness level.
    • Obtain client feedback to ensure exercise program satisfaction and adherence.
  • Exercise Leadership and Client Education (20%)
    • Optimize participant adherence by using effective communication, motivational techniques, and behavioral strategies.
    • Educate clients using scientifically sound resources.
  • Legal and Professional Responsibilities (10%)
    • Collaborate with health care professionals and organizations to create a network of providers who can assist in maximizing the benefits and minimizing the risk of an exercise program.
    • Develop a comprehensive risk management program (including an emergency action plan and injury prevention program) consistent with industry standards of care.
    • Adhere to ACSM Certification's Code of Ethics by practicing in a professional manner within the scope of practice of an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer.
    • Follow industry-accepted professional, ethical, and business standards.
    • Respect copyright laws by obtaining permission before using protected materials and any form of applicable intellectual property.
    • Safeguard client confidentiality and privacy rights unless formally waived or in emergency situations.

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Certified Personal Trainer (ACSM-CPT) examination:

Testing Information

Testing for this credential is handled by Pearson VUE. The test centers are located in the U.S. They also have some test centers on military bases.

To find out more, use the following links on the Pearson VUE website:

For more information on the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) testing process, visit the agency website.

RECERTIFICATION

Certified Personal Trainer (ACSM-CPT)

Renewal Period: 3 years

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

  • ACSM-CPT certification is renewed every three years by accumulating 45 Continuing Education Credits (CECs), maintaining current CPR certification, and paying the required recertification fee.

    Additional information can be found on the ACSM 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
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Updated: October 16, 2019
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