Are you tired of your bad fitness and your fitness freak friends always taunting you for not going to the gym and whatnot? And then out of the blue, you just decide to dive into the world of personal training certifications? Choosing the right certification can be a game-changer for your career. In this blog, we’ll break down the two most demanding fitness credentials: ACE and NASM. Let’s dive into the insights of the key differences and what makes one better than the other so that by the end of the blog you will have a clear image of which certification is right for you.
🔎 ACE vs NASM: An Overview
The American Council on Exercise Certification is a globally recognized credential. The ACE certification is specifically designed for the professionals within the field of fitness. This credential validates the knowledge of candidates within the field of exercise science and demonstrates the skills that are needed in training others.
The NASM is known as National Academy of Sports Medicine. It is the demanding certification within the field of fitness and personal training. This certification is based on science and practical applications.
💎 ACE vs NASM: Most Demanding Certification
The most demanding certification of both ACE and NASM has to be the Certified Personal Training Certification. However, a detailed overview is below.
🏋🏻♂️ ACE Personal Trainer
The ACE Personal Training Certification is the most popular credential in the ACE domain. It signifies an individual’s expertise which is needed in designing and applying the unique and different methods of exercise methods depending on the fitness goals of their clients.
Dive into the details of: How ACE Certifications Boost Your Fitness Career
📝 Exam Overview
Candidates will have a choice between the two exams which include the ACE Personal Training Certificate Exam and the ACE Certified Personal Trainer Exam. A detailed exam overview for both of the exams is explained in the table below;
ACE Personal Training Certificate Exam (Non-proctored) | |
Aspects | Details |
Time Required | 3 Hours |
Passing Score | 70% |
No. of Attempts | Unlimited |
Open-book? | Yes |
Exam Type | Online |
ACE Certified Personal Trainer Exam (NCCA-accredited) | |
Aspects | Details |
Time Required | 3 Hours |
Passing Score | 500 or more |
Exam Type | Online and In-person |
📘 Exam Domains
Domains | Weightage |
Client Onboarding and Assessments | 23% |
Program Design and Implementation | 31% |
Program Modification and Progression | 27% |
Risk Management, Professional Conduct, and Ethical Business Practices | 19% |
📋 Prerequisites
There are formal prerequisites for taking the ACE Personal Training Certification other than the general requirements which can be found on the official website.
💡 Training Resources
ACE itself provides individuals with various study resources that suit their style of learning. These resources include digital and printed textbooks, video lectures, quizzes, podcasts, practice tests and ACE Study Coach-led study webinars.
🏋🏻♀️ NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
The NASM Certified Personal Trainer ( CPT) is a universally recognized credential that is designed for entry-level professionals seeking to validate the skills of professionals in designing the safe and effective exercise programs that are needed by clients.
📝 Exam Details
Candidates who want to earn the NASM Certified Professional Trainer Certification will be provided with two exam options that include NASM Personal Trainer Certificate (Non-Proctored Exam) and the NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NCCA Accredited Certification Exam). The detailed overview for these two exams is explained in the table below.
NASM Personal Trainer Certificate (Non-Proctored Exam) | |
Aspects | Details |
Time Required | 3 Hours |
Passing Score | 70% |
No. of Questions | 100 Questions |
Open-book? | Yes |
NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NCCA Accredited Certification Exam) | |
Aspects | Details |
Time Required | 2 Hours |
Passing Score | 70 or more |
Exam Type | Online and In-person |
No. of Questions | 120 Questions |
Closed Book? | Yes |
📘 Exam Domains
Domains | Weightage |
Professional Development & Responsibility | 10% |
Client Relations and Behavioral Coaching | 15% |
Basic and Applied Sciences and Nutritional Concepts | 15% |
Assessment | 16% |
Exercise Technique and Training Instruction | 24% |
Program Design | 20% |
📋 Prerequisites
Candidates are required to have a high school degree or GED. other than this, candidates must be certified in CPR and AED certification.
💡 Training Resources
NASM provides its candidates with a variety of training resources depending on the learning style of an individual.
👉 ACE vs. NASM: How Do Their Personal Trainer Certifications Differ?
Both of the CPT certs are better in their own way and are different from one another. The ACE certification highlights the change in behavior psychology along with the growth of various health habits. Whereas, the NASM certification focuses on exercise programs and specific exercises that are usually remedial through their Optimum Performance Training Model which provides a comprehensive approach for the trainers that can help them in dealing with clients with various injuries. In general, ACE provides basic certifications that are more suitable for beginners or trainers who want to train their clients with a variety of exercises whereas the NASM provides you with specialized certifications that can help the trainers in dealing with complex injury cases.
⭕ ACE vs NASM: Pros And Cons
➡️ ACE Certification
➡️ NASM Certification
➪ Major Difference Between ACE and NASM
: ̗̀➛ Certifications To Pursue
Both of the vendors provide various certifications in the fitness field. However, some of the certifications of both vendors are similar to each other, and some are different. The most popular certifications of both vendors are listed below;
ACE Certifications | NASM Certifications |
Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) | |
ACE Group Fitness Instructor | Certified Group Fitness Instructor (CGFI) |
ACE Health Coach | Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC) |
ACE Medical Exercise Specialist | Certified Sports Nutrition Coach (CSNC) |
Certified Wellness Coach (CWC) |
🙌 What Do ACE and NASM Certifications Have in Common?
Stating a healthy comparison between ACE (American Council on Exercise) and NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) certifications, there are some similarities as well. Both of the certifications provide candidates with the core knowledge related to exercise science. Along with this, candidates who are thinking of taking either certification exam need to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma Along with this, they must earn CPR or AED certification. In addition, both of the organization provides career advancement opportunities within the domains of sports performance and a lot more. Both of the organizations provides candidates with study options online and in person depending on their learning preferences.
📊 Cost of Certifications
💵 ACE Certifications Cost
The ACE certification cost depends on each specific certification you choose. However, the study program for each of the certifications is listed below.
Certifications | Cost | ||
Basic/ Standard | Plus | Advantage/Premium | |
ACE Personal Trainer | $587 | $689 | $1,037 |
ACE Group Fitness Instructor | $269 | $359 | $449 |
ACE Health Coach | $779 | $989 | $1,379 |
ACE Medical Exercise Specialist | $359 | - | $479 |
💵 NASM Certification Cost
The cost of NASM certifications depends on the specific certification you opt for. However, some of the certifications offer a variety of bundles as well. The cost of the certifications is mentioned below;
Certifications | Cost |
Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) | $79 per month |
Certified Group Fitness Instructor (CGFI) | $21-$39 per month |
Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC) | $49 per month |
Certified Sports Nutrition Coach (CSNC) | $49 per month |
Certified Wellness Coach (CWC) | $69 per month |
🔄 Recertification & Validity
⏺️ ACE Certifications
An ACE certification is typically valid for two years from the time you have availed them. However, candidates can renew their certifications by submitting 2.0 or 2 hours of ACE-approved CECs (Continuing education credits) other than this, they need to maintain a current CPR or AED certification to remain active.
⏺️ NASM Certification
A NASM certification is valid for 2 years from the date of the certification and it must be renewed every two years, this includes certifications such as Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Nutrition Coach, Certified Sports Nutrition Coach, and AFAA’s Group Fitness Instructor. Candidates can renew their certification by completing the required CEUs within 90 days of the expiry date
💼 Future Career Paths & Earning Potentials
There is no doubt that ACE and NASM certifications are notable in the field of fitness and can help you lift your career. Though both targeted the fitness units, some of the job roles may be the same or might differ. The job roles you can pursue with these credentials are listed below.
💳 ACE Certified Salary As Per Job Roles
ACE Jobs Title | Average Salary |
Group Trainer | $56,233 |
Personal Trainer Nutritionist | $54,137 |
Personal Trainer Assistant | $48,191 |
Nasm Nutrition Coach | $41,250 |
Sport Physiology | $49,297 |
Clinical Exercise Specialist | $44,450 |
Kinesiologist | $37,000 |
💳 NASM Salary As Per Job Roles
NASM Job Roles | Average Salary |
Personal Trainer | $43,249 |
Fitness Manager | $63,032 |
Gym Manager | $45,781 |
Fitness Director | $53,742 |
Wellness Program Manager | $59,727 |
🎯 ACE vs NASM: Which Is Worth Taking In 2025?
Both of the certifications, ACE and NASM, are offered by reputable organizations that are offering the demanding certifications within 2025 related to personal trainers. Choosing between any of the two depends on the individual’s preferences and goals related to career. The ACE certification is known for the change in the behavior, other than this, the NASM aims certification is for those who work with athletes or some clients with specific fitness goals. Both of the certifications are well-known professionals, just need to consider the budget, and career opportunities when choosing among them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long is the ACE exam?
The ACE exam depends on the certification you choose. However, the estimated time is 3 hours or less.
What is the average salary of a NASM Personal Trainer?
The professionals who have availed of the NASM Personal Training certification earn around USD 61,014 per year depending on the region.
What is the salary of ACE Medical Exercise Specialty?
The revenue generated by the ACE Medical Exercise Specialty Professional is USD 62,779 in the current year but also depends on the region.
Is NASM or ACE harder?
NASM has a 74% pass rate, while ACE’s pass rate is slightly lower at 65%. This suggests that NAM candidates are statistically more likely to pass on their first try.
What is the salary of an ACE Certified Personal Trainer?
The average salary of ACE CPT is $62,927 per year in the United States. However, the salary ranges from $33,500 to $83,000 with $30 per hour in 2025.