ACE-CPT vs NETA-CPT

Key differences

Both are accredited, but by different bodies: ACE-CPT by NCCA, NETA-CPT by National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
ACE-CPT requires 2 continuing-education units per cycle versus 20 for NETA-CPT — note the providers use different CEU unit systems, so these figures are not directly comparable.
The renewal fee differs: $129 for ACE-CPT versus $75 for NETA-CPT.
ACE-CPT carries an ethics requirement at renewal; NETA-CPT does not.

Both renew on a 2-year cycle.

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

ACE Certified Personal Trainer

ACE-CPT

NETA Personal Trainer Certification

NETA-CPT

Provider

American Council on Exercise

National Exercise Trainers Association

Credential type

certification

Verification

verified

Accreditation

accreditedNCCA(directory-confirmed)

accreditedNational Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)(directory-confirmed)

Accredited through

2029-03-31

2027-07-31

Target professional

Personal trainers

Personal trainers / aspiring exercise professionals

Minimum age

18

Education requirement

Have completed high school diploma (or the equivalent)

Must be at least 18 years old OR hold a high school diploma or GED; candidates under 18 with a high school/GED diploma must complete a NETA-CB Minor Waiver and Permission Form

Degree required

no

Experience requirement

unknown

None — "No prior fitness-related experience, training, formalized education, or certification is required"

CPR/AED to enroll

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).

Valid adult CPR and AED certification from a nationally recognized provider (e.g., ARC, AHA, ASHI, NSC) that includes a live hands-on practical skills evaluation; documentation (copy of card front & back or certificate) must be submitted to NETA prior to the exam. Online-only CPR/AED certifications not accepted. Signed Candidate Compliance Statement required with registration.

Exam format

In-person proctored exam or online exam with a Live Remote Proctor (proctored through Meazure Learning/ProctorU); 150 multiple-choice questions

120 multiple-choice questions (4 options A–D); 100 scored plus 20 experimental. Available as paper/pencil proctored at conclusion of a live review workshop, or computer-based online via remote proctoring with ProctorU

Question count

150

120

Time limit

180 minutes

120 minutes

Passing score

Score of 500 or greater (out of 800)

Minimum score of 70% of the 100 scored questions (exam forms administered on or after June 1, 2023)

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.

Eligible to retake for one year following the initial attempt; mandatory 30-day wait between attempts; maximum of three attempts (initial plus two retakes) per 12-month period; $129 registration fee per retake. If not retaken within one year, the full application process and standard first-time fees apply.

Exam / application fees

unknown

$59 application fee · $449 exam fee

Renewal required

yes

Renewal cycle

2 years

CEUs per cycle

2

20

CEU unit system

ACE CEC (0.1 CEC = 1 hour of structured learning; 2.0 CECs = 20 hours per 2-year cycle)

NETA CEC (1 hour of education contact time = 1 NETA CEC; 0.1 ACE CEC / 0.1 AFAA CEU / 0.1 NASM CEU = 1.0 NETA CEC)

Renewal fees

$129 standard

$75 standard

Ethics requirement

yes

no

CPR/AED at renewal

yes

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.

Certification is valid two years from date of issue; 20 CECs must be earned between date of issue and the designated expiration date. Applications accepted up to 90 days before expiration (NETA advises submitting ~30-60 days prior). Automatic 180-day reinstatement grace period after expiration (status is 'expired'); beyond 180 days the exam must be retaken. Renewed certifications are dated two years from the previous expiration date.

Reinstatement

unknown

Credential status

active

Last verified

2026-09-03

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)

American Council on Exercise (ACE) (accepts ceus from) · National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) (accepts ceus from) · Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) (accepts ceus from) · National Exercise Trainers Association Certification Board (NETA-CB) (petition accepted)

Compare something else

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ACE-CPT vs ACE-GFI ACE-CPT vs AFAA-CGFI ACE-CPT vs IFPA-CPFT ACE-CPT vs IPTA CPT ACE-CPT vs NASM-CPT ACE-CPT vs NCCPT-CPT ACE-CPT vs NCSF-CPT ACE-CPT vs NESTA PFT ACE-CPT vs NETA-CGEI ACE-CPT vs NFPT-CPT ACE-CPT vs NPCP NCPT ACE-CPT vs NSCA-CPT ACE-CPT vs W.I.T.S. CPT ACE-GFI vs NETA-CPT ACSM-CPT vs ACE-CPT ACSM-CPT vs NETA-CPT

Full records: ACE Certified Personal Trainer · NETA Personal Trainer Certification

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