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Become an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer®

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ACSM Certified Personal Trainers® (ACSM-CPT®) live their passion for health and fitness, and for helping others enjoy a better life. In this role, you’ll become your passion and enjoy a career leading others in achieving their health and fitness goals.

A personal trainer certification from ACSM means that you’ll have the practical and scientific knowledge to work in a variety of fitness facilities, including health clubs, gyms, university, corporate, and community or public fitness centers, and positions ranging from freelance personal training to full-time and beyond. 


Become an ACSM-CPT® in Three Simple Steps

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Do you meet the Qualifications?

  • 18 Years of Age or Older
  • High School Diploma or the Equivalent
  • Adult CPR/AED Certification (important update here)

Starting in 2027, all ACSM certifications will require first aid training. 

Prepare to take the Exam


You can create your own preparation plan, or let us guide you through the process! Whichever option you chose, ACSM has the tools to support you. Just scroll down!



Register for the Exam


The ACSM Certification exam can be taken in-person at a Pearson VUE testing center, or take it online from the comfort of your own home, office or workplace! Additionally, ACSM members get a discounted rate on all ACSM Certification exams.

Ready to schedule your exam?
Register Today!

Prepare for Your ACSM-CPT® Exam | A Guided Approach

While these resources are not required preparation materials and should not be interpreted as constituting the sole source of all ACSM exam questions, candidates may find them useful when preparing for the exam. Each candidate should develop his or her own personal reading list and study-plan based on individual needs and knowledge.

Step One: Download the Exam Content Outline

The exam content outline is the blueprint for your certification examination. Every question on the exam is associated with one of the knowledge or skill statements that are found in the exam content outline.

Content Exam Outline

Step Two: Join the Official Facebook Study Group

Join thousands of candidates in preparing for the ACSM-CPT on Facebook. Learn from what others have done to pass their exams, ask your questions in a welcoming community and help support others during the study process.

Join Today

Step Three: Create Your Study Plan

There are a number of study materials and options. You can utilize any or all of these based on your individual preparation needs. You can pick one of the below options, or mix-and-match to optimize your preparation! 

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ACSM-CPT® Prep Course & Exam Bundle

Get ready to take the ACSM Certified Personal Trainer® (ACSM-CPT®) exam — and get your exam fee waived at the same time. Those purchasing the bundle between April 1 - Sept. 30, 2024, must sit for the exam by Dec. 31, 2024. Those purchasing the bundle between Oct. 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025 must sit for the exam by June 30, 2025. 

Bundle

Prep Course Only

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Resource Books

ACSM's Resources for the Personal Trainer is the official preparation book for the exam. Additional titles such as ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 11th edition, and ACSM's Certification Review are also recommended. The publisher offers bundled discounts on book packages!

Purchase Books

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Online Practice Questions with prepU

A personalized and unique approach to studying – prepU is a quiz platform that adapts your study plan based on current proficiency.




Get Started




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ACSM’s Certified Personal Trainer Digital Flash Cards

These cards provide the perfect quick-drill review to help prospective personal trainers confidently prepare for the ACSM-CPT® exam. 

Purchase

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ACSM-CPT® Practice Exam

ACSM’s practice exam is the only resource that simulates the actual look and feel of the ACSM-Certified Personal Trainer certification exam. This online study tool includes 50 multiple-choice questions aimed to provide a real-exam experience.

Learn more

Have questions? Consult the ACSM Candidate Handbook:

Download the Handbook


Schedule Your Exam

Once you are ready to commit to a testing date you can schedule your ACSM-CPT® Certification exam. ACSM Certification exams are administered by Pearson VUE.

Take Your Exam In-Person

Take the ACSM-CPT® certification exam at any participating Pearson VUE testing location.

Register

Take Your Exam Online

Take the ACSM-CPT® Certification exam from the comfort of your own home, school or office in an online, proctored environment.. 

Register

Exam Costs

ACSM Member Candidates $299
ACSM Non-Member Candidates $399
Re-Test $199

Not a member?
Join Now & Save! 


Access the Special Accommodations Request Form

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Reschedule Policy

Candidates who wish to reschedule their exam must contact Pearson VUE one business day prior to the exam appointment. Candidates will be charged $35.00 (USD) each time an exam is rescheduled. Candidates who reschedule an exam less than one business day in advance, or fail to appear for the exam, will forfeit their exam fee.

Candidates who fail to arrive within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time are considered a No-Show and will forfeit their exam fee.

Cancellation Policy

Candidates who wish to cancel their exam must contact Pearson VUE one business day prior to their exam appointment. Candidates will be charged a $75.00 (USD) cancellation fee.  Candidates who cancel an exam less than one business day in advance or fail to appear for the exam, will forfeit their exam fee.

Candidates who fail to arrive within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time are considered a No-Show and will forfeit their exam fee.

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