The exam will be delivered in a computer-based testing format (English only) at Pearson VUE® Authorized Test Centers worldwide. There are 125–150 multiple-choice questions based on KSA’s (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) distributed across eight content areas. The table below lists the approximate percentage of questions from each content area:
Click on a question below to view the answer.
The following texts are recommended to prepare for the ACSM Certified Personal TrainerSM exam:
- ACSM’s Certification Review, 3rd edition (LWW)
- ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 8th edition (LWW)
- ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer, 3rd edition (LWW)
LWW publications can be ordered directly from the publisher, Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins (LWW) by calling 800-486-5643, at any major bookstore, or any major online distributor or reseller.
ACSM has published updated textbooks. View more information on certification examination transition dates 
84 KB pdf
The cost for the ACSM Certified Personal TrainerSM is $219 for members of either ACSM or its Health and Fitness Alliance, or $279 for non-members. The cost of the re-test is $150. Prices are in USD.
Sign up through ACSM’s secure website and become an ACSM member in 1–2 days. For a list of benefits or to become a member, visit ACSM.org/join. Once you join as a member (online option), you will receive your ACSM membership ID by email within one business week. If you need a member exam voucher in less than one week, please email certification@ACSM.org after you’ve completed your online membership payment.
Step 1: Pick a date that allows you plenty of time to prepare
We recommend 3–6 months, however, all candidates vary in their level of current education and study habits. Ultimately it doesn’t matter how many months you spend but rather the total hours you study.
Step 2: Purchase the recommended textbooks
Although not required, we strongly encourage all candidates to use our texbooks to prepare. Check the website to make sure you are studying the correct edition. New books come out in 2009.
Step 3: Review the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
These can be found in any ACSM recommended textbook. Each exam item is written about a KSA. Review the exam blueprint. Recognize the percent of exam questions for each section. Compare the KSAs for that section and determine which section(s) you know you will need to spend a lot of time on and the sections that you just need to review. Find the corresponding chapter in the textbooks that correspond with the KSAs you need to study.
Step 4: Chose to participate in interactive study methods
Step 5: Schedule or apply for your exam: PearsonVUE.com/ACSM
By the time you schedule your exam, you’ll have a general idea of how much time you still need to study. Don’t worry if you need to reschedule, you can do so up to 24 hours in advance at no charge. If you are an RCEP candidate, you will need to apply and be approved before scheduling your exam.
ACSM now has several options for exam preparation. The best way to prepare is live and in-person with a certification workshop; sign-up at ACSM.org/register. The most convenient way to prepare is with a live webinar; sign-up at ACSM.org/register. Or go at your own pace on your own with an on-line course or practice test; sign-up on the ACSM Learning Portal at ACSMlearning.org
The passing score for all ACSM certification exams is set in advance and applied to all candidates’ exam results. Similar to exam scoring for a wide variety of other high stakes, national standardized exams (e.g., GRE, SAT, GMAT, etc.), ACSM certification exams are reported on a 200–800 score scale.
Specifically, all candidates are expected to meet the passing standard of a scaled score of 550 in order to receive a “Pass” on any respective ACSM certification exam. This passing standard is based upon the expectations of the subject matter experts/test developers across all topics of the competency areas, as related to each respective credential’s examination blueprint. Passing candidates are expected to answer a sufficient number of test questions correctly that demonstrates a summative amount of knowledge at a level of at least minimal competency or the lowest acceptable score to pass the exam.
Finally, each content area is weighted proportionally, based on the results of a periodic comprehensive job task analysis/role delineation study. In other words, some content areas are more important (thus, have more questions) and count more with respect to the overall score than other content areas. On the score report, candidates receive their overall score, their pass/fail status, as well as a breakdown by each specific content area.
ACSM offer several certifications for fitness and clinical professionals and specialty certifications for those already certified by an NCCA-accredited organization. For a list of certifications, visit ACSM.org/certification.
Yes, the ACSM Certified Personal TrainerSM exam is available in English at any Pearson VUE® Authorized Test Center worldwide. Please visit PearsonVUE.com/ACSM/locate for international testing centers.
Currently, the ACSM Certified Personal TrainerSM exam is available at any worldwide Pearson VUE® Authorized Test Center in English, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese. The ACSM Certified Personal TrainerSM will be made available in different languages as demand dictates.
You will receive your results immediately upon completion of the exam in a printed score report. The score report will include your scaled score out of 800 and the percent that you answered correctly in each competency. If you pass, a certificate will be sent to you in 6–8 weeks.
Re-test candidates will receive a re-test promotional code (promocode) on the results printout. You may retake the exam 15 days following your initial exam and every 15 days following until a passing score is achieved.
