ACE-CMES vs ACE-GFI

certification

certification

2029-03-31

2029-03-31

Medical exercise professionals

Group fitness instructors

18

18

Proof of a four-year (bachelor's) degree in exercise science or a related field (upload unofficial transcript)

Must have completed high school (or the equivalent)

yes — Bachelor's (four-year) degree

no

Proof of 500 hours of work experience designing and implementing exercise programs for apparently healthy and/or high-risk individuals, documented by a qualified professional (supervisor-completed pre-approval form)

yes

yes

Current adult CPR and AED certificate with hands-on (in-person or virtual) live skills check (courses without skills check not accepted; AED only required in USA and Canada); present a current government-issued photo ID with signature

Hold a current adult CPR/AED certification with a hands-on (in-person or virtual) live skills check (CPR/AED courses without skills check not accepted; AED only required in USA and Canada); present a current government-issued photo ID with signature (driver's license, passport, military ID).

Proctored certification exam; can be taken from home via Live Remote Proctor (Meazure Learning/ProctorU, English only) or at an exam location; scaled scoring up to 800 points

In-person proctored exam at a testing location or online via Live Remote Proctor (Meazure Learning/ProctorU); multiple choice

150

180 minutes

Minimum passing score of 500 (out of a possible 800)

Score of 500 or greater (scaled)

Retake requires a retake voucher (included in Premium program) or purchase of an additional exam at a discounted retake fee via MyACE; discounted retake price valid for one year after the initial test date. Exam voucher has a 6-month redemption period; after registering for a Live Remote Proctored exam candidates have 60 days to complete it.

Retake available. Candidates may have a retake voucher in their MyACE account; otherwise an additional exam can be purchased at a discounted retake fee, valid for one year after the initial test date. Exam voucher has a 6-month redemption period; after registering for a Live Remote Proctored exam, candidates have 60 days to complete it.

yes

yes

2 years

2 years

2

2

ACE CEC (0.1 CEC = 1 hour of structured learning; 2.0 CECs = 20 hours)

ACE CEC (0.1 CEC = 1 hour of structured learning; 2.0 CECs = 20 hours)

$129 standard

$129 standard

yes

yes

yes

yes

Renew every two years by the end date of the renewal cycle shown in the My ACE profile; CECs must be completed between the cycle start and end dates and do not roll over. Late renewal is permitted up to 3 months past expiration ($169) and up to 6 months ($199); more than 6 months past expiration requires contacting ACE support. If CECs are not completed and the certification expires, the exam must be retaken.

Credential must be renewed every two years; CECs must be completed between the start and end dates of the renewal cycle shown in the My ACE profile. Late renewal permitted up to 3 months and up to 6 months past expiration at higher fees; more than 6 months past expiration requires contacting ACE support. If 2.0 CECs are not completed and the certification expires, the exam must be retaken.

active

active

2026-09-03

2026-09-03

ACE-Approved Continuing Education Providers (ACE Pre-Approved Course Directory) (accepts ceus from) · American Council on Exercise (non-ACE-approved courses and college courses) (petition accepted) · American Council on Exercise (other ACE credentials) (reciprocal)

American Council on Exercise (ACE) (petition accepted) · ACE-Approved Continuing Education Providers (ACE Pre-Approved Course Directory) (approved ceu provider)

Exercise Physiology, Special Populations

Personal Training