• ACSM Certified Group Exercise Instructor
• ACSM Certified Personal Trainer
• ACSM Certified Health Fitness Specialist
• ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist
• ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist
• Exercise is Medicine^® Credential
• ACSM/ACS Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer
• ACSM/NCHPAD Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer
• Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist
• ACSM Certification Statistics

ACSM Certified Personal Trainer^®

Give others the strength to lead a healthy lifestyle. Become an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), and make an impact on the lives of others with an advanced understanding of health and fitness. ACSM Certified Personal Trainers are qualified to plan and implement exercise programs for healthy individuals or those who have medical clearance to exercise.

What will I be able to do as an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer?

The ACSM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) works with apparently healthy individuals and those with health challenges who are able to exercise independently to enhance quality of life, improve health-related physical fitness, performance, manage health risk, and promote lasting health behavior change. The CPT conducts basic preparticipation health screening assessments, submaximal cardiovascular exercise tests, and muscular strength/endurance, flexibility, and body composition tests. The CPT facilitates motivation and adherence as well as develops and administers programs designed to enhance muscular strength/endurance, flexibility, cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, and/or any of the motor skill related components of physical fitness (i.e., balance, coordination, power, agility, speed, and reaction time).

What qualifications are necessary?

All of the following requirements must be met:

• 18 years of age or older
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Current Adult CPR/AED (with hands-on practical skills component)

What study materials are available to help me prepare?

For candidates taking their exam AFTER July 1, 2013, the following materials are recommended: 

ACSM's Resources for the Personal Trainer, 4th editionACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing & Prescription, 9th editionACSM's Certification Review, 4th edition
ACSM CPT Study Kit: Order all three books together

Study materials are available through our publisher, LWW, by calling
800-486-5643 or by visiting the LWW e-Store.

Are workshops available?

ACSM has teamed up with Fitness Education Network (FEN) to offer both one-day and three-day workshops to help you prepare for the ACSM Personal Trainer Certification exam. Click here for more information that can help you determine which workshop is right for you.

3-Day workshop fee: $375

1-Day workshop fee: $129

Click here to learn more about ACSM CPT Workshops.

Are webinars available? 

To meet your busy lifestyle, we now offer CPT webinars; a virtual classroom from your personal computer. For your convenience, you can sign up for a single session or the full six week series. 

Six-session webinar series fee: $240

Individual webinar session fee: $45 

Click here to learn more about ACSM CPT Webinars

What are the costs for the exam?

How do I register to take the exam?

All ACSM certification examinations are administered by our testing partner, PearsonVUE. PearsonVUE provides over 5,000 computer-based testing centers throughout the world.

Click here to register for any ACSM exam with Pearson VUE

ACSM Members - be sure to get your member discount voucher before registering for the exam by emailing the ACSM Certification Department at certification@acsm.org. *Be sure to confirm which exam you plan to take*

If you are not already an ACSM Member, click here to join now!

Once you have received your discount exam voucher, visit Pearson VUE to schedule a time to take your exam, or call 888-883-2276.

What other information do I need to be aware of?

The ACSM Candidate Handbook has information about, but not limited to, the following:

• Exam administration
• Code of Ethics
• Non-discrimination policy
• Disability policy
• Complaint policy
• Appeals policy

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions

What is required to maintain my certification?

To maintain your ACSM CPT certification, you will need to accumulate at least 45 CECs/CEUs within a 3-year cycle, maintain CPR certification, and pay a $30 recertification fee.

Click here for more information about recertification.