Compare
ACE-CPT vs IFPA-CPFT
ACE Certified Personal Trainer from American Council on Exercise 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
2029-03-31
2029-11-30
Target professional
Personal trainers
aspiring and practicing personal trainers
Minimum age
18
unknown
Education requirement
Have completed high school diploma (or the equivalent)
unknown
Degree required
no
unknown
Experience requirement
unknown
unknown
CPR/AED to enroll
yes
yes
Other prerequisites
Hold a current adult CPR/AED certificate with 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); pay the exam/proctoring fee (not included in study program price).
unknown
Exam format
In-person proctored exam or online exam with a Live Remote Proctor (proctored through Meazure Learning/ProctorU); 150 multiple-choice questions
100-question multiple-choice, closed-book, proctored
Question count
150
unknown
Time limit
180 minutes
unknown
Passing score
Score of 500 or greater (out of 800)
unknown
Retake policy
Retake available; ACE recommends allowing about one week of review for every 10 points below the passing score of 500 before rescheduling. After registering for a Live Remote Proctored exam, candidates have 60 days to complete it.
unknown
Exam / application fees
unknown
$349 exam fee
Renewal required
yes
unknown
Renewal cycle
2 years
unknown
CEUs per cycle
2
unknown
CEU unit system
ACE CEC (0.1 CEC = 1 hour of structured learning; 2.0 CECs = 20 hours per 2-year cycle)
CEU
Renewal fees
$129 standard
unknown
Ethics requirement
yes
unknown
CPR/AED at renewal
yes
unknown
Renewal deadline rule
Credential valid 2 years; CECs must be completed between the start and end dates of the renewal cycle shown in My ACE, then submit renewal and pay fee before expiration. Late renewal permitted up to 6 months past expiration at higher fees; beyond 6 months requires contacting ACE support. Expired certifications without completed CECs require retaking the exam.
unknown
Reinstatement
unknown
unknown
Credential status
active
active
Last verified
2026-09-03
2026-09-12
CEU recognition
ACE-Approved Continuing Education Providers (ACE pre-approved course directory) (approved ceu provider) · Non-ACE-approved course providers (petition accepted) · Accredited colleges/universities (petition accepted)
unknown
Categories
Personal Training
Personal Training, Professional Development
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ACE-CPT vs ACE-GFIACE-CPT vs AFAA-CGFIACE-CPT vs IPTA CPTACE-CPT vs NASM-CPTACE-CPT vs NCCPT-CPTACE-CPT vs NCSF-CPTACE-CPT vs NESTA PFTACE-CPT vs NETA-CGEIACE-CPT vs NETA-CPTACE-CPT vs NFPT-CPTACE-CPT vs NPCP NCPTACE-CPT vs NSCA-CPTACE-CPT vs W.I.T.S. CPTACE-GFI vs IFPA-CPFTACSM-CPT vs ACE-CPTACSM-CPT vs IFPA-CPFT
Full records: ACE Certified Personal Trainer · IFPA Personal Fitness Trainer Certification
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