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What is the best Personal Trainer Certification for you?

With the Personal Trainer Certification Comparison Chart, you can easily compare Personal Trainer Certifications and find out which one best fits your needs, budget, learning style and career goals.

  ACE NSCA ACSM NASM ISSA
Type of Business
Non-profit Non-profit Non-profit For-profit For-profit
Number of Active Certified Professionals
90,000+ Not publicly reported Not publicly reported Not publicly reported Not publicly reported
Certification
Personal Trainer Personal Trainer Personal Trainer Personal Trainer Personal Trainer
Accreditation & Recognition
NCCA, iCREPS, ISO ICE
(creator of NCCA)
NCCA NCCA DEAC, NCCPT
(limitations)
  US and Worldwide US and Worldwide US and Worldwide US and Worldwide US and Worldwide
Professional Development & Career Support

ACE® Pro Compass
Navigate your career path with:

- Exclusively curated content
- Resources such as videos, talks and worksheets
- Topic-based Challenges for crafting a resume, defining your personal brand, creating and publishing website, and more!

Exclusive ACE Pro Connect App includes:

- ACE Pro Talks podcast, available only in the app
- Exclusive video and livestream events
- Networking and community building opportunities

ACE Answers includes:

- Tools & Calculators
- Assessments, Forms and Sample Coaching Agreements

Professional Development Resources:

- Job Board
- Career Guide
- Tools
- Resume Critique (Members only)
- Networking
- Career planning portal

Career Center:

- Job Board
- Additional services for a fee:
o Reference Checker
o Resume Checker
o Coaching

Job Board

Job Support Line

Online Learning & Exam Prep Experience
- Interactive learning dashboard
- Video demos & lectures
- Exercise Science 1011
- Live Q&A webinars1
- Facilitated study groups1
- Exam prep blog
- 4 practice exams1 and quizzes
- Online practice quizzes - Webinars
- Facebook study groups
- Online practice quizzes
- Online exam content outline
- Online video content
- Facebook study groups
- Online practice quizzes
- Online exam content outline
- Online practice quizzes
- Study guides
- Online forum
Textbooks
Hardcopy and digital textbook
Hardcopy and digital Study Companion
Audiobook1
Hardcopy textbooks
Exam content description eBook
Hardcopy textbooks
Hardcopy and digital textbook
Hardcopy and digital textbook
Digital study guide & workbook
Exam Experience
1 exam registration
Testing sites and online proctoring
Exam registration3
Testing sites
Exam registration3
Testing sites and online proctoring
1 exam registration
1 exam retest1
Testing sites and online proctoring
1 free accredited exam2
Online proctoring2
Renewal Requirements
20 hours
every 2 years
10 hours
every 3 years
45 hours
every 3 years
20 hours
every 2 years
20 hours
every 2 years
Specializations Offered
- Fitness Nutrition
- Senior Fitness
- Functional Training
- Corrective Exercise
- Weight Management
- Behavior Change
- Sport Performance
- Pain-Free Movement
- Cancer Exercise
- Size Inclusive Fitness Specialist
- The Art of Movement (Pilates Mat)
- Strength and Conditioning
- Special Population
- Exercise is Medicine
- Inclusive Fitness Trainer
- Cancer Exercise Trainer
- NPAS (National Physical Activity Society) Physical Activity in Public Health
- Corrective Exercise
- Performance Enhancement
- Behavior Change
- Nutrition
- Group PT
- Weight Loss
- Women's
- Youth
- Seniors
- Golf
- MMA Conditioning
- Group Exercise
- Bodybuilding
- Strength & Conditioning
- Corrective Exercise
- DNA-Based Fitness
- Lifespan Coach (Youth-Senior)
- Exercise Therapy
- Online Coach
- Performance Enhancement
- Yoga
- Kickboxing
- Powerlifting
- Weight Management
- Youth
- Senior
Monthly Payment Plan Options
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
Most Popular Study Program
Plus Study Program $745
(more options available)
Materials sold separately Materials sold separately Premium Self Study $1,399 Self- and Live Study $1,598

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