NCCA-accredited certification · August 2023 outline
ACE-CPT eligibility and CPR/AED requirements
To register for the accredited ACE Certified Personal Trainer exam, ACE requires you to be at least 18, have completed high school or the equivalent, and hold current adult CPR certification with a hands-on skills check. Bring a current government-issued photo ID with a signature. Confirm AED requirements for your testing country.
What should you check before registering?
Use the checklist for the accredited, proctored certification. ACE offers a separate Personal Training Certificate with its own registration and exam rules. If you need the credential for a role, ask the employer which one it accepts before selecting an exam.
- Confirm that you will be at least 18 when you register for the accredited exam.
- Confirm that you have completed high school or a recognized equivalent. Ask ACE what evidence it will accept if your credential is unfamiliar or from another education system.
- Check that your adult CPR credential has a hands-on skills check and will still be current when you sit. Include AED training if required for your country.
- Check that the first and last names in My ACE match your government-issued photo ID. The ID needs to be current and have a signature.
Which CPR and AED training does ACE accept?
ACE requires an adult CPR course with a hands-on skills check. ACE permits an in-person or virtual skills check. Confirm that the specific course includes an evaluated skills component before buying it, especially if the provider also sells a self-paced course.
The handbook and scheduling page name the U.S. and Canada for the AED requirement. ACE’s personal trainer product FAQ also names Mexico. If you plan to test in Mexico, confirm the current rule with ACE before choosing a course or paying for an appointment. If you plan to test somewhere else, verify the requirements for that location through ACE’s scheduler.
Compare the name and expiration date on your course record with your account details. Keep your proof accessible and check your admission instructions for what you may need to present. Schedule a renewal first if your credential will expire before your planned exam date.
How does the open-book certificate differ?
ACE’s separate Personal Training Certificate has a minimum age of 16 and its own current CPR and skills-check requirements. Its non-proctored exam is online and open book. The accredited certification requires age 18 at registration and a closed-book, live-proctored exam.
Compare the full credential names in your account, then check the eligibility list for the one you intend to earn. The certificate’s age threshold does not carry over to the accredited route.
When should you contact ACE?
Contact ACE before paying if you are unsure about an education equivalent, your CPR provider, your ID, or country-specific requirements. If you need a testing accommodation, use the scheduling page to identify the request process before selecting an appointment. Once your documents and pathway are confirmed, check fees and available test dates.