ACE-GFI vs NFPT-CPT

certification

certification

2029-03-31

2027-01-31

Group fitness instructors

Entry-level personal fitness trainers working with apparently healthy individuals in one-on-one or small group settings (in-person or online/virtual)

18

18

Must have completed high school (or the equivalent)

Applicant must have high school education or equivalent (high school diploma or GED); attested via application check box

no

no

None required — "It is not a requirement for entry into the certification program that you have a demonstrable level of experience" (personal fitness experience strongly encouraged)

yes

no

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).

Applicant must agree to adhere to the NFPT Codes of Conduct; must sign/attest to eligibility requirements as terms of service

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

Closed-book multiple-choice exam; taken at a partnered test center or via secure at-home/remote (computer-based) testing; paper & pencil and international testing sites also referenced; instant results

150

120

180 minutes

120 minutes

Score of 500 or greater (scaled)

750/1000 (scaled)

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.

Retakes permitted; test candidates remain eligible to schedule a retake within the one (1) year eligibility time frame. Retake fees are stated to be lower than competitors but no amount is given.

$50 application fee

yes

yes

2 years

1 years

2

2

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

NFPT CEC (Continuing Education Credit); 1 hour participation = 0.2 CECs, so 2.0 CECs = 10 contact hours

$129 standard

$85 standard

yes

no

yes

no

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.

Annual renewal by the certificate expiration date (standardized to the first day of a month: exams taken on the 1st-14th expire the 1st of that anniversary month; 15th-end of month roll forward to the 1st of the following month). Automated renewal notices begin 60 days before expiration. Credential becomes 'Inactive' immediately at expiration, with a two-year grace period to renew (submitting 2.0 CECs and the renewal fee per lapsed year); after two years the credential is 'Expired' and full reapplication/retesting is required. Late payment does not extend the anniversary date. Effective January 1, 2027, the grace period for new renewals drops to 30 days, and legacy two-year grace periods all end December 31, 2028.

active

active

2026-09-03

2026-09-03

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

CPR/AED and First Aid/Emergency Response certification providers (accepts ceus from) · NFPT CEC Approved Provider program (approved outside providers/courses/events) (accepts ceus from) · Non-approved / outside learning activities (Other category) (petition accepted)

Personal Training

Personal Training, Professional Development