ACE’s four certification programs—Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Health Coach and Medical Exercise Specialist—are now accredited and recognized worldwide, as ACE recently became an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/IEC 17024 accredited Certification Organization. In fact, ACE is currently the only health and fitness nonprofit organization to hold ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation.  

ACE earned this highly valued accreditation from the International Accreditation Service (IAS), after IAS assessors conducted an extensive audit of ACE as an organization, as well as ACE’s certification programs and policies, to ensure essential requirements were met, including safety, reliability, and quality management. This included an in-depth review of ACE’s four primary certification programs, as well as a variety of ACE’s organizational policies and practices.

So, what does this mean to you as a professional?

ACE receiving the ISO accreditation elevates the professional standards in the fitness industry, which is good for all active professionals and business owners. It also means you can be confident that the credentials you’ve earned through ACE are valued and respected, no matter where in the world you are working. 

You might be surprised to learn that approximately 20% of ACE Certified Professionals work outside the United States, making us a truly international organization. And, with the fitness industry projected to double in size to $434 billion by 2028, it is essential that ACE certifications be globally recognized and respected.

This is one of the primary reasons we worked so hard to earn the ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation—in response to our international partners, exercise professionals and health coaches who wanted more globally recognized credentials as they sought quality employment and helped people live their healthiest lives. If you are an international business owner, this means that you can be sure the ACE Certified Professionals you hire are competent and committed to delivering personalized coaching, training or instruction. 

ACE’s certification programs have long been accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), but that status is most recognized in the U.S. By adding the ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation, ACE’s certification programs are now the only dual NCCA and ISO accredited certifications for exercise professionals and health coaches in the world. 

ACE has long held itself to the highest of standards, not only in our certification programs, but also in our study materials, continuing education offerings and the support we provide our certified professionals throughout their careers. The ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation takes those efforts to the next level, as this is the highest internationally accepted benchmark of quality for a certification organization. 

Not only is the ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation one more thing you can highlight when promoting yourself or your business, it’s also a sign that you can be sure that ACE is continually working to elevate the professionalism and standards of the fitness industry, and to make sure the certification you worked so hard to earn is valued and respected throughout the world. 

Click here to learn more about our certifications!