How Do I Renew My ACSM?

What’s going on with ACSM renewal?

Miss the renewal window? You’ll have to retake the full exam—no way around it.

Starting in 2026, ACSM stops mailing printed certificates. Instead, grab a digital credential or order a wallet card through their approved vendor, American Registry.

How do I actually renew my ACSM certification?

1. Double-check your CEC count. Head to your ACSM dashboard. Under “My Certifications,” look for the “CECs Required” field. ACSM wants 45 CECs every three years; most courses give 0.1–2.0 CECs per hour of content.
2. Round up your CPR proof. Upload a PDF or JPEG of your current Basic Life Support (BLS) or equivalent CPR card. ACSM only accepts cards from AHA or Red Cross.
3. Pick your renewal option. Go to My Account → Recertification → Choose “Member ($279)” or “Non-Member ($349).” You’ll only see payment screens if your annual dues are up to date.
4. Upload everything and hit submit. Keep files under 5 MB; PDF, JPG, and PNG work best. The system shoots back an auto-confirmation email within 10 minutes.
5. Grab your new credential. Your digital certificate shows up under “My Certifications” in 24 hours. Hit “Download PDF” to save it. Want a wallet card? Click “Order Physical Copy” ($15 shipping included).

I tried renewing and hit a snag—now what?

• Lost track of your CECs? Use the ACSM CEC Tracker (ACSM CE Site) to scan your certificates. It tallies totals and spots missing credits automatically.
• CPR card expired yesterday? ACSM gives you a 30-day grace period after the card lapses. After that, you’ll need to redo the course and upload the new card before the renewal button unlocks.
• Payment keeps failing?
ACSM runs on Stripe. Typical culprits: expired card, not enough funds, or your bank flagged the charge. Swap cards or call ACSM Member Services (800-414-2276) for a manual override.