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NASM-CPT vs ACE CPT: which fits whom
Both lead to an NCCA-accredited credential when you take the proctored exam. NASM's cheapest listed package ($999) includes that exam; ACE's cheapest is $593.40 plus the $99 accredited exam add-on. ACE may fit someone who wants a lower listed entry price and is happy to add the exam separately; NASM may fit someone who wants the exam bundled, or a retest and job guarantee in one package (CPT Premium Self-Study (includes 1 retest + job guarantee), $1,399). Both renew every 2 years with 2.0 credits ($99 NASM, $129 ACE).
Side by side
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT) | ACE Certified Personal Trainer | |
|---|---|---|
| NCCA status | Yes | Yes |
| Cheapest price | $999CPT Self-Study (includes NCCA exam) | $593.40Basic (list $989) + $99 NCCA exam add-on = $692.40 for an accredited cert |
| Typical price | $1,399CPT Premium Self-Study (includes 1 retest + job guarantee) | $701.40Plus (list $1,169) + $99 exam |
| Exam fee | Included in all packages; exam-only purchase available (price not captured) | $99$99 add-on with a study program; $499 exam-only |
| Retake fee | $199Retest included in Premium Self-Study and All-Inclusive; waits: 1 week, then 30 days, then 1 year. | $249Discounted retake valid 1 year from first attempt; reschedule fee $149 |
| Format | 120 multiple-choice questions (100 scored + 20 pretest), 2 hours, closed-book, scaled score 70 to pass, must test within 180 days of purchaseProctored; in person or online | 150 multiple-choice, 3 hours, closed-book, scaled score 500 to passLive proctor, in person or online (remote) |
| Pass rate | 84% (2025)22,767 candidates, 19,338 passed (NASM-published data sheet) | 73% (2025)7,105 candidates (ACE Candidate Handbook, Appendix D) |
| Prerequisites | High school diploma or equivalent + current CPR/AED (NASM FAQ) | Current CPR and AED (U.S./Canada) per ACE handbook; other eligibility not captured |
| Recertification | Every 2 years2.0 CEUs (20 hrs) incl. 0.1 for CPR/AEDFee: $99 · Fee waived with NASM One membership | Every 2 years2.0 CECs (20 hrs) incl. ≥1 hr Professional Conduct & EthicsFee: $129 · Late: $169 (≤3 mo), $199 (≤6 mo) |
| Sources | Prices checked Nov 2, 20261 2 3 4 5 6 7 | Prices checked Nov 2, 20261 2 3 4 5 6 |
Prices checked Nov 2, 2026 on each organization's pages, in USD. Pass rates come from different exams and candidate pools, so they don't measure quality. "Not listed" means the figure wasn't published or wasn't captured.
Notes from the sources
- NASM-CPT: NASM-CPT exam is NCCA-accredited. NASM also sells an unaccredited open-book 'CPT' certificate exam; the job guarantee and Gymternship require the accredited exam. NASM FAQ says it 'regularly runs promotional pricing'; All-Inclusive page shows 'OVER 25% OFF / Exclusive Offer'. Prices checked by NASM blog 2026-10-15.
- ACE CPT: Only the separate proctored ACE Certified Personal Trainer exam is NCCA-accredited. The open-book 'ACE Personal Training Certificate' exam included in study programs is NOT accredited. Pages show list prices struck through with ~40% off; treat the list price as inflated.
FAQ
What does it cost to get NASM-CPT or ACE CPT?
NASM-CPT: cheapest listed $999 (CPT Self-Study (includes NCCA exam)); typical $1,399 (CPT Premium Self-Study (includes 1 retest + job guarantee)). ACE CPT: cheapest listed $593.40 (Basic (list $989) + $99 NCCA exam add-on = $692.40 for an accredited cert); typical $701.40 (Plus (list $1,169) + $99 exam). Prices checked Nov 2, 2026.
How do the NASM-CPT and ACE CPT exams compare?
NASM-CPT: 120 multiple-choice questions (100 scored + 20 pretest), 2 hours, closed-book, scaled score 70 to pass, must test within 180 days of purchase; Proctored; in person or online. ACE CPT: 150 multiple-choice, 3 hours, closed-book, scaled score 500 to pass; Live proctor, in person or online (remote). Published pass rates: NASM-CPT 84% (2025), ACE CPT 73% (2025).
What are the prerequisites for NASM-CPT and ACE CPT?
NASM-CPT: High school diploma or equivalent + current CPR/AED (NASM FAQ). ACE CPT: Current CPR and AED (U.S./Canada) per ACE handbook; other eligibility not captured.
How do you keep NASM-CPT and ACE CPT current?
NASM-CPT: every 2 years, 2.0 CEUs (20 hrs) incl. 0.1 for CPR/AED, fee $99 (Fee waived with NASM One membership). ACE CPT: every 2 years, 2.0 CECs (20 hrs) incl. ≥1 hr Professional Conduct & Ethics, fee $129 (Late: $169 (≤3 mo), $199 (≤6 mo)).
More certification guides
Compare certifications · NASM vs ACE · NASM vs ISSA · NSCA-CPT vs CSCS · Free and low-cost CEUs · NSCA deadline Dec 31, 2026
Sources
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT)
- https://www.nasm.org/resource-center/blog/certification/nasm-vs-ace-cost
- https://www.nasm.org/products/cpt-all-inclusive-program
- https://www.nasm.org/nasm-faqs
- https://www.nasm.org/certified-personal-trainer-exam-info
- https://support.nasm.org/nasm-administrative-fees
- https://2494739.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2494739/NASM-CPT%20Exam%20Data%20Statistics%202020-2025.pdf
- https://www.nasm.org/certified-personal-trainer-renewal
- ACE Certified Personal Trainer
- https://www.acefitness.org/get-certified/personal-trainer/
- https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/exam-options/
- https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/schedule-your-exam/
- https://www.acefitness.org/faqs/
- https://contentcdn.eacefitness.com/assets/certification/pdfs/Certification-Exam-Candidate-Handbook.pdf
- https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/recertification/
Plain HTTP fetch of each organization's pages + PDFs (pdftotext); web search where pages blocked (NSCA returned 403 to plain fetch, so NSCA facts come from search extracts of nsca.com pages).