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 |
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 - Resources such as videos, talks and worksheets - Topic-based Challenges |
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
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 |
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 (most popular) - Functional Training - Weight Management - Senior Fitness - Behavior Change - Youth Fitness - Sports Performance - Corrective Exercise - Pain-Free Movement - Functional Aging - Cancer Exercise - Functional Aging Group Exercise - Corrective Exercise |
- 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) |
Essential Plus Package $890 | Materials sold separately | Guided Study $1,599 | Self-Guided Study $1,816 |
- 1Limited to certain study packages
- 2Proctoring fee not included
- 3Sold separately from study materials
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