Compare
ACSM-CPT vs ACSM-EP
ACSM Certified Personal Trainer from American College of Sports Medicine and ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist from American College of Sports Medicine, side by side: accreditation, eligibility, exam, cost and renewal, each fact from its cited source.
Key differences
- ACSM-EP requires a bachelor's degree or higher while ACSM-CPT does not.
- The exam fee differs: $410 for ACSM-CPT versus $460 for ACSM-EP.
- ACSM-CPT requires 45 continuing-education units per cycle versus 60 for ACSM-EP — note the providers use different CEU unit systems, so these figures are not directly comparable.
- The renewal fee differs: $60 for ACSM-CPT versus $70 for ACSM-EP.
Differences are stated only where both credentials have a known value on record — never inferred against an unknown. No winner is declared; which credential fits depends on your goals. Methodology
Credential type
certification
certification
Verification
verified
verified
Accreditation
accreditedNCCA(directory-confirmed)
accreditedNCCA(directory-confirmed)
Accredited through
2031-08-31
2031-08-31
Target professional
Personal trainers
Exercise physiologists
Minimum age
18
unknown
Education requirement
Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent
At least a Bachelor's degree (baccalaureate or higher) with a major in Exercise Science (or equivalent) from a regionally accredited college/university; candidates may test in the last semester of their degree program. An 'equivalent major' requires a degree including a minimum of 21 semester or 28 quarter hours of exercise science coursework covering Exercise Physiology (min. 3.0 credit stand-alone course), Strength and Conditioning, Applied Kinesiology or Biomechanics, Anatomy and Physiology, Exercise Testing and Prescription, Special Populations, and Health Risk Appraisal.
Degree required
no
yes — Bachelor's degree or higher
Experience requirement
unknown
unknown
CPR/AED to enroll
yes
yes
Other prerequisites
Possess current adult CPR/AED certification that has a live/in-person practical skills examination component (e.g., American Heart Association or American Red Cross); First Aid required beginning 2027. Candidates must submit an application with supporting documents via the MyACSM portal.
Current adult CPR/AED certification with a live/in-person practical skills examination component (e.g., American Heart Association or American Red Cross); First Aid required beginning 2027.
Exam format
Computer-based multiple-choice exam delivered by Pearson VUE; may be taken live remote-proctored online (OnVUE) or at an in-person Pearson VUE testing center
Computer-based proctored exam delivered by Pearson VUE; may be taken online (OnVUE live remote-proctored) or at an in-person Pearson VUE testing center
Question count
unknown
unknown
Time limit
unknown
unknown
Passing score
Scaled score of 550 on a 200–800 scale (criterion-referenced, modified Angoff standard setting)
Scaled score of 550 on a 200-800 scale (criterion-referenced standard set via modified Angoff)
Retake policy
A retest fee applies for retaking the exam ($205); candidates whose online exam is terminated forfeit their registration and must reschedule, including retest fees.
Retest requires payment of a re-test fee ($235 for ACSM-EP); handbook contains a Retest Policy section.
Exam / application fees
$410 exam fee nonmember · $50 application fee · $310 exam fee member
$350 exam fee member · $460 exam fee nonmember
Renewal required
yes
yes
Renewal cycle
3 years
3 years
CEUs per cycle
45
60
CEU unit system
ACSM CEC (Continuing Education Credit; ACSM recognizes 1 CEC per contact hour of education)
ACSM CEC (Continuing Education Credit; 1 CEC = 1 contact hour of education); CEUs/CMEs accepted at 1.0 = 1.0 equivalency (0.1 = 1.0 if provider uses decimal system)
Renewal fees
$60 standard
$70 standard
Ethics requirement
no
no
CPR/AED at renewal
yes
yes
Renewal deadline rule
Certification valid 3 years. Certificants certified prior to 2025 expire Dec 31; those newly certified in 2025 expire three years from date of initial certification. Recertification must be completed by 11:59 p.m. EST on the expiration date to avoid the $80 late fee; an automatic six-month grace period follows (certification inactive during grace period), after which the credential lapses and only reinstatement ($225) or re-examination is available.
Certification valid 3 years; those certified before 2025 expire Dec 31, those newly certified in 2025 expire three years from date of initial certification. Recertification must be completed by 11:59 p.m. EST on the expiration date to avoid the $80 late fee; an automatic six-month grace period follows (certification is expired/inactive during it), after which the credential lapses and only reinstatement ($225) or re-examination is possible.
Reinstatement
unknown
unknown
Credential status
active
active
Last verified
2026-09-03
2026-09-03
CEU recognition
Other certifying organizations' certifications (not recognized) · American Council on Exercise (ACE) (accepts ceus from) · National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) (accepts ceus from) · National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) (accepts ceus from) · AFAA (accepts ceus from) · ACSM Approved CEC Providers (100+ organizations reviewed by ACSM's Education Department) (approved ceu provider)
ACSM Approved CEC Providers (100+ programs reviewed and approved by ACSM's Education Department) (approved ceu provider) · ACE (American Council on Exercise) (accepts ceus from) · NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) (accepts ceus from) · NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) (accepts ceus from) · AFAA (accepts ceus from) · Other certifying organizations (for credential-earning credit) (not recognized)
Categories
Personal Training
Exercise Physiology
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ACSM-CPT vs ACE-CPTACSM-CPT vs ACE-GFIACSM-CPT vs AFAA-CGFIACSM-CPT vs IFPA-CPFTACSM-CPT vs IPTA CPTACSM-CPT vs NASM-CPTACSM-CPT vs NCCPT-CPTACSM-CPT vs NCSF-CPTACSM-CPT vs NESTA PFTACSM-CPT vs NETA-CGEIACSM-CPT vs NETA-CPTACSM-CPT vs NFPT-CPTACSM-CPT vs NPCP NCPTACSM-CPT vs NSCA-CPTACSM-CPT vs W.I.T.S. CPTACTION-CPT vs ACSM-CPT
Full records: ACSM Certified Personal Trainer · ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist
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