ACE 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.
ACE certifies individuals for two years at a time in four main categories:
Group Fitness
Personal Training
Lifestyle & Weight Management
Clinical Exercise
ACE handles general logistics involved in exam preparation, test taking, test hosting, certification, self-promotion,
and the maintenance of continuing education programs needed to sustain certification. Approved providers carry
out the necessary administrative responsibilities and details (pricing, registration, venue set-up) involved in the
aforementioned tasks using proper protocol as dictated by ACE.
At the start of 1999, ACE began offering a clinical exercise specialist certification for fitness professionals who
work with clients who have recently recovered from injury or illness. Cleared for exercise by their physicians, these
people often need proper instruction from trainers who understand their previous conditions. The ACE clinical exercise specialist certification provides consumers with the assurance that their trainer has a level of clinical
knowledge.
The ACE Academy, offering education and training for the fitness professional, was established in 1997.
Individuals can prepare for and maintain their ACE certification through exam review, practical training, continuing
education and more. The academy offers opportunities for fitness professionals to enhance their credentials at all
levels.
In 2003, the American Council on Exercise was granted accreditation for all of its certification programs by the
National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
NCCA is the accreditation body of the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA).
The NCCA
accreditation serves as a benchmark on how organizations should conduct certification. There are more than 300
fitness certification programs available to the public. The NCCA accreditation clearly distinguishes the excellence
and value of ACE certification and clearly discriminates between qualified and unqualified fitness professionals.
