Every certifying org has different CEC rules. NASM wants 20 credits. NSCA wants 60. If you hold certs from more than one org, it gets confusing fast.
Here is what the five biggest personal training orgs need for recertification in 2026.
CEC requirements by org
| Organization | CECs | Cycle | Fee | CPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NASM | 20 | 2 years | $99 | Yes |
| ACE | 20 | 2 years | $129 | Yes |
| NSCA | 60 | 3 years | $85 | Yes |
| ACSM | 45 | 3 years | $45 | Yes |
| ISSA | 20 | 2 years | $99 | Yes |
NASM: 20 CECs every 2 years
NASM is one of the most popular orgs for personal trainers. You need 20 CECs every two years, plus a current CPR/AED card. CECs can come from NASM workshops, online courses, or other approved providers. Getting a NASM specialty cert (like CES or PES) also counts toward your total.
ACE: 20 CECs every 2 years
ACE also needs 20 CECs every two years. At least one credit must be in a diversity, equity, and inclusion topic. CPR/AED must be current at renewal. ACE accepts credits from other NCCA-accredited orgs, so NASM or NSCA courses may count.
NSCA: 60 CEUs every 3 years
NSCA calls them CEUs instead of CECs. The CSCS and NSCA-CPT each need 6.0 CEUs (60 contact hours) every three years. At least 5.0 CEUs must come from Category A (science-based). This is the highest CEC load of any major org. Start early.
ACSM: 45 CECs every 3 years
ACSM needs 45 credits over three years. The renewal fee is only $45, making it the cheapest to maintain. ACSM accepts credits from a wide range of providers. CPR/AED must be current.
ISSA: 20 CECs every 2 years
ISSA needs 20 CECs every two years. One nice perk: completing an extra ISSA certification counts toward your CEC total. CPR/AED must be current. ISSA also accepts CECs from other NCCA-accredited orgs.
What to know
- 1NSCA has the highest requirement at 60 CEUs (contact hours) per 3-year cycle.
- 2All five orgs require CPR/AED. Let it lapse and your cert could be at risk.
- 3Renewal fees range from $45 (ACSM) to $129 (ACE).
- 4Cross-org credits often count. Check your org's policy. Many accept credits from other NCCA-accredited organizations.
How to track your CECs
Most trainers use spreadsheets or just try to remember. Both methods fail when you hold more than one cert or switch orgs.
TrainerCE is a free app built for personal trainers. It loads your org's requirements, lets you log credits by category, and pings you before your cert expires.