ACE Recertification: What Changes and What It Costs to Renew

Are you staring at an ACE certification expiration date and trying to decide whether to rack up CEUs, retake the exam, or just pay whatever the system demands?

What the recertification rules actually are (and what changed)

You still need continuing education to keep your ACE credential active—but the structure shifted in recent years toward clearer categories and more online options. ACE requires 20 continuing education credits (CECs) every two years for Personal Trainers, and you must maintain a current CPR/AED certification as part of recertification.

What’s changed is mostly packaging and delivery. ACE has expanded its own online continuing education catalog and also authorized more third-party providers, meaning more low-cost, self-paced options exist. ACE has also emphasized digital CE submission and faster audits. Those are procedural improvements more than new rules.

The exact deadlines and mandatory items you must track

Your ACE certification runs on a two-year recertification cycle that ends on your certificate expiration date. You must earn the 20 CECs and have an up-to-date CPR/AED card by that expiration date; otherwise your credential becomes inactive. If you let it lapse, you can usually regain active status by completing the CECs and any additional requirements or by retaking the certification exam.

Make sure your CPR/AED expires no earlier than your ACE recert date. Many trainers fail recert audits because their CPR is valid for one year and they assumed a single renewal would cover both. Check your CPR card date as you plan.

Cost components: what you will pay for (and why)

Total renewal cost breaks into four buckets: CEUs (courses), CPR/AED, exam retake (if you go that route), and optional ACE membership or pro resources. There isn’t a single sticker price because you pick the route.

CEUs. Prices vary wildly. ACE’s own courses tend to cost more per CEC than low-cost providers but are guaranteed accepted with no paperwork. Third-party providers and low-cost online courses can run from roughly $5 to $40 per CEC depending on format and provider.

CPR/AED. Expect $30–$100 depending on provider and whether you do an in-person class. Hybrid or online skills-check models are usually cheaper.

Exam retake. If you allow your certification to lapse or prefer to retest instead of earning 20 CECs, a retake exam fee applies. Typical retake exam fees for major certs range from about $150 to $300; ACE-specific retest fees often sit in that range . Check ACE for the exact current retest price before deciding.

ACE membership or extras. You can optionally keep an ACE professional membership or buy study bundles, which may offer discounts on CEUs or insurance. Membership costs and value depend on your use.

Real math: three realistic renewal scenarios

You want precise math, not vague promises. Below are three scenarios that show how the totals add up over a two-year recertification cycle. All CEU counts assume the 20 CEC requirement. CPR/AED is included. Exam retake is included only when used instead of CEUs. Numbers are labeled as editorial unless from ACE. | Scenario | CEU source and cost per CEC | CEU cost (20 CECs) | CPR/AED | Exam retake | ACE membership | Total cost (2-year) | | Cheap DIY | Third‑party low-cost courses at $8/CEC | $160 | $40 | $0 | $0 | $200 | | Balanced | Mix of ACE-approved and third‑party at average $20/CEC | $400 | $50 | $0 | $0 | $450 | | Premium / Retest | ACE official courses average $30/CEC OR retake exam $200 | $600 or $0 | $50 | $200 (if retest) | $0 | $650 (CECs) or $250 (retest route) | Notes: The “Premium / Retest” row shows two alternate routes—either you buy premium ACE CEUs or you skip CEUs and retake the exam. If you choose the retest route, you still need CPR/AED and might need to pay application/processing fees . (All price points except the 20 CEC rule and CPR/AED requirement are labeled editorial estimates; check current ACE prices for exact figures.)

Comparing options and trade-offs — honest assessment

If you’re cost-sensitive and time-conscious, the cheap DIY route is usually best. You can meet the 20 CEC requirement for roughly $150–$250 total over two years if you shop smart for online courses and time your CPR to run concurrently. The downside is you’ll spend more time vetting courses and tracking paperwork.

If you value “one-stop” assurance and want zero risk of audit headaches, buying ACE’s own courses costs more per CEC but removes acceptance uncertainty. That premium can be worthwhile if you bill high hourly rates and value reclaimed time.

If you missed the deadline and your certification lapsed, retaking the exam can be cheaper than buying 20 premium CECs—assuming you pass without extra study. But retesting costs both money and time, and failing means another fee. Use the retest option only if you’re confident you can pass or if you already have enough recent continuing education to minimize study time.

Where to spend and where to save without gambling on audit failure

Save on basic science and broad-topic CEUs because many providers offer these cheaply and ACE accepts them when they’re approved. Spend where you get direct client value—specialty modalities you actually use—for which a higher-priced deep course is worth the long-term ROI.

Avoid the lowest-cost courses that lack clear ACE approval language or whose provider has a history of audits; the time lost in appeals and resubmission erases any penny saved. Always download and archive your CEU certificates the moment you complete a course.

How to plan your two-year calendar so you never overpay

Map your expiration date and work backwards: schedule your CPR renewal within three months of ACE expiration, spread CEUs across the two years (10 CECs per year reduces last-minute panic), and claim CEUs online promptly. If you need specialty credits that are pricier, buy at least half of them early when you’re less rushed and can shop for discounts or employer reimbursement.

If you’re within six months of expiration and lack enough CECs, compare the math: cost to buy missing CECs versus cost of a single retest. For example, if you need 10 CECs and find a reliable provider at $20/CEC, that’s $200 plus CPR. If the retest is $200 and you’re certain you’ll pass, retest may be cheaper. Account for time to study—your billable hours matter.

Audit rates, documentation, and the thing people forget

ACE does audit recertification submissions. The audit rate fluctuates, but you should assume you could be audited. Keep original certificates, course descriptions, instructor credentials, and timestamps. If audited, ACE will ask for proof that each course was ACE‑approved or that the provider was accredited at the time you took it. Lack of documentation can require you to retake the cert or buy more CEUs.

Bottom-line recommendation If you want the lowest sensible cost and minimal risk, spread your CEUs across the two years using reputable third‑party ACE‑approved providers (aim for $8–$25/CEC), keep CPR timed to the recert window, and file certificates as you go. If you value convenience and zero paperwork, budget for ACE’s own CEU catalog and accept the higher price as the cost of buying peace of mind. If you’ve already missed the deadline and are confident in your skills, compare the retest fee against the cost of remaining CEUs and factor in lost billable time before choosing to retest.

(Editor’s note: Verify exact ACE retest fees and course pricing on acefitness.org before you buy anything—policies and prices change. Source: ACE Fitness recertification requirements, accessed 2024.)

Related: NASM recertification guide · cheapest CEU options · ACE review · certification renewal overview

For the complete overview of renewal costs and CEU strategies, see our CEU & recertification guide.