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NASM vs ACE: how the two trainer exams differ

Facts checked against support.nasm.org, acefitness.orgLast checked Nov 4, 2026

NASM vs ACE has no general winner. Each exam holds NCCA accreditation and renews every 2 years; they part ways on length, on the training model behind the questions and on how fees are structured. The NASM-CPT has 120 questions in 2 hours; the ACE CPT has 150 in 3 hours.

On this page
  1. Side by side: the owners' published numbers
  2. The test day
  3. What the exams reward
  4. What each costs over a cycle
  5. Is one harder to pass?
  6. Which trainer fits which exam
  7. Both exams on First Attempt
  8. Sources
  9. NASM vs ACE, short answers

Side by side: the owners' published numbers

FactNASM-CPTNASMACE CPTACE
AccreditationAccredited by the NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies)NCCA accreditation is renewed every five years.NASM Candidate Handbook, updated 9/2025…, Nov 2026Accredited by the NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies)ACE certifications have held NCCA accreditation since 2003.ACE Certification and Recertification…, Nov 2026
Question formatMultiple choice, closed book, proctored, computer-based20 of the 120 questions are unscored pretest items mixed in without a label.NASM Candidate Handbook, updated 9/2025…, Nov 2026Multiple choice, closed book, live proctor, computer-based; about 10% are video questionsVideo questions show a silent exercise clip and ask what to do next.ACE Certification and Recertification…, Nov 2026
Questions120 questionsNASM Candidate Handbook, updated 9/2025…, Nov 2026150 questionsACE Certification and Recertification…, Nov 2026
Scored questions100 scored questionsNASM Candidate Handbook, updated 9/2025…, Nov 2026125 scored questionsACE Certification and Recertification…, Nov 2026
Exam time2 hoursCandidates with an approved accommodation get 150% of the standard time.NASM Candidate Handbook, updated 9/2025…, Nov 20263 hoursACE Certification and Recertification…, Nov 2026
Score scale0–100 (scaled)NASM Candidate Handbook, updated 9/2025, Nov 2026200–800 (scaled)ACE Certification and Recertification…, Nov 2026
Passing scoreEach exam uses its own scale; a scaled score is not a percentage.A scaled score of 70 or higherA scaled 70 is not the same as 70% correct; the cut is set by a modified Angoff study.NASM Candidate Handbook, updated 9/2025…, Nov 2026A scaled score of 500 or higher"70% to pass" belongs to the open-book ACE Certificate, not to this exam.ACE Certification and Recertification…, Nov 2026
ResultsPass or fail at the end of the exam; a passing candidate gets no number, a failing candidate gets the score and a breakdown by domainNASM Candidate Handbook, updated 9/2025, Nov 2026Shown on screen right after the exam, with the scaled score, pass or fail, and percent correct by domainACE Certification and Recertification…, Nov 2026
Where you testPSI test center or online with a PSI live remote proctorNASM: CPT exam info +1, Nov 2026Test center or online with Live Remote ProctoringRemote sessions run 24/7 in English. ACE's schedule page cites both "800+ centers in 110+ countries" and "1,300+ sites worldwide".ACE: schedule your exam +1, Nov 2026
Window to test180 days from purchaseA paid program extension adds time.NASM: CPT exam info +1, Nov 202660 days from registrationA study program's exam voucher is valid for 6 months from purchase, with no extensions.ACE: schedule your exam, Nov 2026
Who can sitHigh school diploma or GED (or within 90 days of finishing), current adult CPR and AED certification shown on exam day, and a government photo IDThe handbook sets no minimum age. You must show a current adult CPR/AED card at check-in or you cannot sit. Approved providers include the American Heart Association, American Red Cross and ASHI; confirm any other provider with NASM first. The handbook does not spell out a hands-on skills part for exam entry, but for recertification it rejects cards from online-only providers.NASM Candidate Handbook, updated 9/2025…, Nov 202618 or older at registration, high school diploma or equivalent, current adult CPR (and AED in the US and Canada) with a hands-on skills check, government photo IDOnline-only CPR courses without a skills check are not accepted.ACE: schedule your exam +1, Nov 2026
Exam fee$599 for the exam only, with no study materialsNASM: CPT exam only, Nov 2026$499 for the exam aloneACE: personal trainer exam options +1, Nov 2026
Member and bundle pricesStudy programs that include the exam run about $999–$1,399 depending on package and salePrices change with frequent sales.as of Nov 4, 2026 · sale prices change often; check nasm.orgNASM blog: The Complete Guide to Becoming a…, Nov 2026$99 exam add-on with any ACE study program; programs list at $989–$1,749 and were $593.40–$1,049.40 on saleBasic, Plus and Advantage programs; the sale was 40% off on November 4, 2026 (50% in October).as of Nov 4, 2026 · sale prices change monthlyACE: personal trainer exam options +1, Nov 2026
Retake fee$199 per retestPremium Self-Study and All-Inclusive programs include one retest; an active NASM One membership waives the fee.NASM support: administrative fees +1, Oct 2026$249 within 1 year of the first attempt; after that, the full $499A retake voucher that comes with a study program must be redeemed within 60 days.ACE: schedule your exam +1, Nov 2026
Wait before a retake1 week after the first fail, 30 days after the second, 1 year after the third and each later failNASM: CPT exam info +1, Nov 20264 days after a failed exam or 10 days from the first attempt; ACE's schedule page lists bothThe two figures appear on the same official page; confirm the date when you book the retake.as of Nov 4, 2026 · ACE's schedule page lists both waits; confirm when bookingACE: schedule your exam, Nov 2026
To renew2.0 CEUs (20 contact hours) per cycle, including 0.1 CEU for a current CPR/AED courseUnused CEUs do not carry over. A 90-day grace period costs an extra fee; after that, the exam must be retaken.NASM Candidate Handbook, updated 9/2025, Nov 20262.0 CECs (20 hours) of ACE-approved education per cycle plus current CPR/AEDCECs do not carry over to the next cycle.ACE: recertification, Oct 2026
Renewal fee$99 recertification application feeNASM One and Recertify for Life cover the application fee, but not late fees.NASM support: recertification application fee, Nov 2026$129 on time; $169 up to 3 months late, $199 up to 6 months lateDiscounts apply when renewing two or more ACE credentials.ACE: recertification, Oct 2026
Pass rateOwner-published rates only, by year.85% in 2025 (19,338 of 22,843 candidates), per NASM's blogNASM's candidate handbook does not publish a pass rate.as of Nov 4, 2026 · NASM blog figure, not in the handbookNASM blog: The Complete Guide to Becoming a…, Nov 202673% in 2025 (7,105 candidates)From the handbook's exam statistics appendix.ACE Certification and Recertification…, Nov 2026

Each exam in detail: NASM-CPT exam facts · ACE CPT exam facts.

The test day

Length. NASM: 120 questions in 2 hours. ACE: 150 questions in 3 hours. Each mixes in unscored trial items you cannot identify (20 at NASM, 25 at ACE).

Question style. Both are multiple choice and closed book. ACE adds video items: a silent clip of a client exercising, then a decision.

Results. At NASM a passing candidate sees no number, only the outcome; a failing one gets the score and a domain breakdown. ACE puts every candidate's scaled score and domain percentages on screen.

What the exams reward

NASM's blueprint gives exercise technique the most weight (24%), and its program questions follow the OPT model's five phases, from stabilization to power.

ACE's outline weights program design highest (31%). Those questions use the IFT model's cardio and muscular phases and intensity zones set by ventilatory thresholds, and the coaching items take a client-centered line where the plan is agreed with the client.

Study guides for each: NASM-CPT · ACE CPT.

What each costs over a cycle

  • Getting in: NASM $599 for the exam alone; ACE $499 alone, or a small add-on fee with any ACE study program. Study programs from both run on frequent sales, so compare prices on the same day.
  • If you fail: NASM $199 per retest; ACE $249 if you retest inside twelve months of your first try.
  • Renewal: NASM $99 plus 2.0 CEUs; ACE $129 on time plus 2.0 CECs. Continuing education courses are extra at both.

All prices as of Nov 4, 2026; fee pages: NASM registration · ACE registration.

Is one harder to pass?

The published pass rates point to ACE: 73% for 2025 against 85% at NASM. The two figures come from different kinds of source, though. ACE prints its rate in the candidate handbook; NASM's comes from its blog, not its handbook. So the gap is suggestive at best.

ACE's exam is also longer, with more questions, more time and video items. NASM's is shorter, but its retake waits lengthen after each fail, up to a year.

Which trainer fits which exam

NASM-CPT

Choose the NASM-CPT if…

  • You want a shorter sitting: 120 questions in 2 h
  • You like programming by phases, from stabilization up to power (OPT model)
  • You plan to work from movement assessments and corrective fixes
  • You are under 18: NASM's handbook has no age floor, though it notes insurers usually want trainers to be 18+

NASM-CPT practice test

ACE CPT

Choose the ACE CPT if…

  • You want the cheaper exam fee: $499 alone
  • Your coaching centers on habits, adherence and client-led goals (ACE's client-centered coaching)
  • You want your scaled score and domain results shown on screen, pass or fail
  • You can give a longer sitting: 150 questions in 3 h, video items included

ACE CPT practice test

Both exams on First Attempt

Sources

  1. [1]NASM Candidate Handbook, updated 9/2025 (PDF) support.nasm.org. Checked Nov 4, 2026.
  2. [2]NASM: become a personal trainer (programs) nasm.org. Checked Nov 4, 2026.
  3. [3]ACE Certification and Recertification Handbook, revised September 2026 (PDF) acefitness.org. Checked Nov 4, 2026.
  4. [4]ACE: personal trainer exam options acefitness.org. Checked Nov 4, 2026.
  5. [5]NASM FAQs nasm.org. Checked Nov 4, 2026.
  6. [6]ACE: schedule your exam acefitness.org. Checked Nov 4, 2026.
  7. [7]NASM: CPT exam info nasm.org. Checked Nov 4, 2026.
  8. [8]NASM: CPT exam only nasm.org. Checked Nov 4, 2026.
  9. [9]NASM blog: The Complete Guide to Becoming a CPT in 2026 (Jun 30, 2026) nasm.org. Checked Nov 4, 2026.
  10. [10]ACE: personal trainer certification (study programs) acefitness.org. Checked Nov 4, 2026.
  11. [11]NASM support: administrative fees support.nasm.org. Checked Oct 19, 2026.
  12. [12]ACE: recertification acefitness.org. Checked Oct 19, 2026.
  13. [13]NASM support: recertification application fee support.nasm.org. Checked Nov 4, 2026.

NASM vs ACE, short answers

Is one of the two simply better?

Neither in general. Both exams are NCCA-accredited. Pick by the model you want to train with (OPT at NASM, IFT at ACE), by the length of sitting you prefer and by total cost, including a possible retake.

Which is cheaper, NASM or ACE?

The exam alone is cheaper at ACE ($499 against $599). A retest costs less at NASM ($199 against $249), and so does on-time renewal ($99 against $129).

Do NASM and ACE accept each other's CEUs?

Each organization sets its own rules for which courses count. Check the approved-provider list of the body that issued your credential before you sign up.

Are the NASM and ACE certificates the same as these exams?

No. Both brands sell an open-book online certificate without NCCA accreditation. This comparison covers only the proctored CPT exams.