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ACSM-CPT vs IFPA-CPFT
ACSM Certified Personal Trainer from American College of Sports Medicine and IFPA Personal Fitness Trainer Certification from International Fitness Professionals Association, side by side: accreditation, eligibility, exam, cost and renewal, each fact from its cited source.
Key differences
No factual differences on the fields where both credentials have known values.
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
2029-11-30
Target professional
Personal trainers
aspiring and practicing personal trainers
Minimum age
18
unknown
Education requirement
Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent
unknown
Degree required
no
unknown
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.
unknown
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
100-question multiple-choice, closed-book, proctored
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)
unknown
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.
unknown
Exam / application fees
$410 exam fee nonmember · $50 application fee · $310 exam fee member
$349 exam fee
Renewal required
yes
unknown
Renewal cycle
3 years
unknown
CEUs per cycle
45
unknown
CEU unit system
ACSM CEC (Continuing Education Credit; ACSM recognizes 1 CEC per contact hour of education)
CEU
Renewal fees
$60 standard
unknown
Ethics requirement
no
unknown
CPR/AED at renewal
yes
unknown
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.
unknown
Reinstatement
unknown
unknown
Credential status
active
active
Last verified
2026-09-03
2026-09-12
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)
unknown
Categories
Personal Training
Personal Training, Professional Development
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Full records: ACSM Certified Personal Trainer · IFPA Personal Fitness Trainer Certification
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