Credentials / American Council on Exercise

ACE Certified Health Coach

ACE-CHCcertificationverifiedby American Council on Exercise· Compare
Verified: this record was checked against its official source and the accreditor’s directory. Last verified 2026-09-03. 13 sources on file.

At a glance

Credential type
certification
Status
active
Target professional
Health coaches
Country
US
Official page
https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/default.aspx
Recertification page
unknown
Categories
Behavior Change, Nutrition Coaching

Accreditation

accreditedNCCAaccredited through 2029-03-31· confirmed in the accreditor’s directory 2026-09-03
Confirmed against NCCA Accredited Program Directory (full listing) on 2026-09-03: American Council on Exercise | ACE Health Coach Certification | Health Coach Certification | NCCA | Accredited through 3/31/2029

Eligibility & examination

Eligibility

Minimum age
18
Education
Have completed high school diploma (or the equivalent)
Degree required
no
Experience
No experience required per ACE program pages; the ACE credential listing page states candidates must submit documentation for ONE of: a current NCCA-accredited certification in fitness, nutrition, healthcare, wellness, human resources or related field; an associate's degree or higher in fitness, exercise science, nutrition, healthcare, wellness or related field; a completed NBHWC-approved health coach training program; or a minimum of 2 years of work experience in coaching/leading/designing behavior or lifestyle change, exercise, wellness, nutrition or physical activity (documented by resume)
CPR/AED
yes
Other prerequisites
Current adult CPR and AED certification with a live (hands-on) skills check completed prior to exam registration (CPR only required outside the U.S./Canada); present a current government-issued photo ID with signature. No prerequisites to purchase a study program.

ACE health coach pages list age 18+, high school diploma or equivalent, CPR/AED with live skills check, and photo ID. The ACE digital-credential (Accredible) page additionally lists an alternative certification/degree/NBHWC-program/experience documentation requirement.

Examination

Format
NCCA-accredited ACE Certified Health Coach Certification Exam; multiple-choice, taken either at an in-person proctored testing site or online via Live Remote Proctor (Meazure Learning/ProctorU, English only)
Online exam
yes
Testing center
yes
Length
unknown
Questions
unknown
Passing score
Minimum passing score of 500 on a scale up to 800
Attempts included
1
Retake policy
If not passed, candidates may use a retake voucher (if available in MyACE Account) or purchase an additional exam at a discounted retake fee, valid for one year after the initial test date. Exam must be registered within 6 months of study program purchase (voucher redemption period); Live Remote Proctor exams must be completed within 60 days of registration.

Initial certification costs

  • $785.40 — Health Coach Basic Study Program (includes exam voucher) - sale price
  • $1,309 — Health Coach Basic Study Program (includes exam voucher) - list price
  • $995.40 — Health Coach Plus Study Program (includes exam voucher) - sale price
  • $1,659 — Health Coach Plus Study Program (includes exam voucher) - list price
  • $49 — Study program payment plan starting payment ('$49 Today')

Renewal & CEU requirements

2 yr
renewal cycle
2
CEUs per cycle
$129
renewal
Recertification required
yes
CEU unit system
ACE CEC (0.1 CEC = 1 hour of structured learning; 2.0 CECs = 20 hours)
Ethics requirement
yes
CPR/AED at renewal
yes
Deadline rule
Credential must be renewed every two years; all CECs must be completed between the start and end dates of the two-year renewal cycle shown in the My ACE account. Late renewal is possible up to 3 months ($169) and up to 6 months ($199) past expiration; more than 6 months past expiration requires contacting ACE support. Excess CECs do not roll over, and if the certification expires without completing CECs the exam must be retaken.

Four steps: (1) earn 20 hours (2.0 CECs) of ACE-approved continuing education within the two-year cycle, including at least 1 hour (0.1 CEC) in the Professional Conduct & Ethics category (required for renewals after 9/13/2023); (2) enter CECs in My ACE (ACE course CEP/CP/CA/CS/CL numbers auto-post or are manually entered); (3) maintain and update a current adult CPR/AED certificate (AED required in U.S./Canada; CPR, AED and First Aid each worth 0.2 CEC, up to 0.4 CECs noted for CPR/AED); (4) submit renewal in My ACE and pay the renewal fee. Courses cannot be repeated for credit; CECs count only in the cycle completed. Holders of multiple ACE credentials may apply the same CECs to each credential if completed within each credential's cycle, but each credential requires its own renewal fee. CEC Power Pass offers unlimited CECs and free credential renewal.

CEU recognition

  • American Council on Exercise (ACE) — petition accepted
    Non-ACE-approved courses already completed may be petitioned for CECs via My ACE ($25 non-refundable fee per course, reviewed within 30 days). Course must be within the ACE Scope of Practice, taken within the current renewal cycle, and taught by instructors meeting credential qualifications. Education from another licensed field (e.g., dietetics, PT) outside ACE scope is not accepted. Petitions also accepted for Professional Conduct & Ethics courses.
  • Accredited colleges/universities (college coursework) — accepts ceus from
    College course completed within the renewal cycle with grade of 'C' or higher and within ACE Scope of Practice may be petitioned; maximum 2.0 CECs (certification prep college course max 0.5 CEC). One semester hour = 1.0 CEC; one quarter hour = 0.8 CEC. Only one submission reviewed.
  • ACE-Approved Continuing Education Providers (voluntary ACE approval program) — approved ceu provider
    ACE approves individual courses from third-party providers; approved courses carry an ACE course code (CEP/CP/CA/CS/CL) and are listed in the ACE Pre-Approved Course Directory. Instructors must hold a relevant degree or a current NCCA-accredited exercise/health coach certification (ACE, AAPTE, ACTION, ACSM, AFAA-CGFI, CSCCa, IFPA, NASM, NCCPT, NCSF, NESTA, NETA, NFPT, NSCA, PMA, PTAG, WITS), E-RYT (yoga only), or a license/NCCA-accredited certification in a health-related profession.

Pathway

What this credential requires

All of:
  • AgeAt least 18 years old
  • EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent
  • CPR/AEDCurrent CPR and AED certification with a live skills check
  • OtherCurrent government-issued photo ID with signature

Open in Pathways →

Sources (13)

Latest verification activity: reverification → confirmed (2026-10-03) · reverification → confirmed (2026-10-03) · reverification → confirmed (2026-09-07) · initial verification → confirmed (2026-09-06) · reverification → confirmed (2026-09-06)

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