Professional Certification

Certification

Professional organizations such as the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) have increased public awareness about all aspects of exercise and fitness, including the importance of dealing with highly trained and qualified exercise professionals.

Certification

Professional certification and licensure are two ways to ensure the competency of professionals in the field of exercise science.

Certification

Although many professional organizations offer certification programs for exercise professionals, Louisiana was the first state in the US to pass a law requiring licensure of all clinical exercise physiologists.

Certification

This requirement places clinical exercise physiologists on par with other health professionals (e.g., nurses, nutritionists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists) who are required to have licenses to practice in many states.

Certification

In the future, it is possible that other states will pass legislation requiring licensure of exercise professionals.

Certification

A number of professional organizations (e.g., ACSM, NSCA, ACE and YMCA) offer certification workshops and examinations for health/fitness instructors, exercise leaders, personal trainers, and health/fitness directors working with healthy populations.

Certification

Clinical-track workshops and certifications are also available for exercise specialists, exercise technologists, and program directors who are working with higher-risk individuals enrolled in exercise rehabilitation programs.

Certification Requirements

Some require a degree in exercise science, or a closely allied field, as well as experience working in health/fitness or clinical settings.

Certification

Career goals dictate which type of professional certification is best.

Certification

Advantages to obtaining licensure or professional certification:– Better chance of finding a job– Credibility– Standardized knowledge

Certification

Certification by reputable, professional organizations upgrades the quality of the typical person working in the field and ensures employers and their clientele that employees have mastered the knowledge and skills necessary to be competent exercise science professionals

Certification

Hence, the likelihood of lawsuits resulting from negligence or incompetence may be lessened.

Certification

Certification and licensure help to validate exercise specialists as health professionals who are equally deserving of the respect afforded to professionals in other allied health professions.

Certification

ACSM Health-Fitness Track - apparently healthy

public.

Clinical Track - individuals with cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic disease.

ACSM Certification

HEALTH FITNESS CERTIFICATIONS

ACSM Certified Personal TrainerSM (CPT) As a personal trainer you have the ability and opportunity to make a real

difference in people’s lives when it comes to their health and fitness. What many people are unable to do on their own, they can accomplish with the motivation and support of a personal trainer. As an ACSM Certified Personal TrainerSM you will be qualified to develop and implement exercise programs for apparently healthy individuals or those who have medical clearance to exercise. To learn more about the ACSM Certified Personal TrainerSM

certification, Click Here .

ACSM Certification HEALTH FITNESS CERTIFICATIONS

ACSM Certified Health Fitness Specialist (HFS) Are you a personal trainer ready to step up to the next level?  Would you

like the ability to work with a wider variety of clients, including those with health risks? Then the ACSM Health Fitness Specialist Certification is for you.  Considered our advanced personal trainer certification, the ACSM Certified Health Fitness Specialist is required to have at least an Associate’s Degree and are qualified to work with special populations with medically controlled diseases, who have been cleared by their physician for independent exercise. To learn more about ACSM Certified Health Fitness Specialist Certification, Click Here .

ACSM Certification CLINICAL CERTIFICATIONS

ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist®  (CES) Are you a clinical professional with a college degree who is interested in

pursuing a career helping clients with, or at high risk for, cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic diseases?   If so, then the ACSM Exercise Specialist® Certification is for you. ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Specialists are health care professionals with a Bachelor’s Degree who typically work in cardiovascular/pulmonary rehabilitation programs, physicians’ offices or medical fitness centers. The ACSM Exercise Specialist® may also provide exercise-related consulting for research, public health, and other clinical and non-clinical services and programs. To learn more about the ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist® certification, Click Here .

ACSM Certification

CLINICAL CERTIFICATIONS

ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist® (RCEP) Are you a graduate student or a clinical professional with a master’s

degree who is interested in working with clients who are currently under the care of a physician for cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, orthopedic/musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, or immunological/hematological disease?

If so, then the ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist® Certification – ACSM’s most prestigious credential – is for you. To learn more about the ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist® certification, Click Here .

ACSM Certification SPECIALTY CERTIFICATIONS

ACSM/ACS CERTIFIED CANCER EXERCISE TRAINER (CET) Are you a certified professional with a desire to work specifically with

individuals who have been affected by cancer? If so, safely and effectively work with people who have been affected by cancer with an ACSM/ACS Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer's Certification.  Utilize your basic understanding of cancer diagnoses, surgeries, treatments, symptoms and side effects to assess, develop exercise programs and train clients who are in any of the various stages of cancer diagnosis and/or treatment. To learn more about the ACSM/ACS Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer Certification, Click Here.

ACSM Certification SPECIALTY CERTIFICATIONS

ACSM/NCPAD CERTIFIED INCLUSIVE FITNESS TRAINER (CIFT)

Are you a fitness professional with a passion to demonstrate and lead safe, effective and adapted methods of exercise to individuals with disabilities?  If so, utilize your motivational techniques with the ACSM/NCPAD Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer Certification.  A CIFT is a fitness professional who assesses, develops and implements an individualized exercise program for persons with a physical, sensory or cognitive disability, who are healthy or have medical clearance to perform independent physical activity.  To learn more abut the ACSM/NCPAD Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer Certification, Click Here.

ACSM Certification SPECIALTY CERTIFICATIONS

ACSM/NSPAPPH Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist (PAPHS) Are you a professional who promotes physical activity in public health at the

national, state and/or local level?   If so, make a significant societal contribution by earning the specialty certification to effectively plan, implement, and evaluate population based physical activity. A PAPHS promotes physical activity in public health through engaging and educating key decision makers about the impact of, and need for legislation, policies and programs that promote physical activity. Additionally, the PAPHS provides leadership and develops partnerships with affiliates, private and public associations to catalyze the promotion of population-based physical activity.  To learn more about the ACSM/NSPAPPH Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist (PAPHS), Click Here.

Certification

NSCA

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

Certified Personal Trainer.

NSCA

The Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) is for professionals who design and implement strength training and conditioning programs for athletes in a team setting.

•  About the CSCS Credential•  CSCS Exam Schedule/Registration•  CSCS Exam Study Materials•  Why Choose CSCS

NSCA

The NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer® (NSCA-CPT®) certification is for professionals who work with both active and sedentary clients in one-on-one situations.•  About the NSCA-CPT Credential•  NSCA-CPT Exam Schedule/Registration•  NSCA-CPT Exam Study Materials•  Why Choose NSCA-CPT

Certification

National Academy of Sports Medicine– Performance Enhancement Certification

American Council on Exercise(ACE)

Personal Trainer Certification The American Council on Exercise's acclaimed Personal Trainer Certification is designed for fitness trainers providing any form of one-on-one or small-group fitness instruction.

American Council on Exercise(ACE)

Advanced Health + Fitness Specialist Certification This certification prepares the advanced professional to provide in-depth preventative and post-rehabilitative fitness programming that addresses common diseases and disorders seen on a daily basis– (e.g., cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2

diabetes and musculoskeletal ailments).

American Council on Exercise(ACE)

Group Fitness Instructor Certification The ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification is designed for fitness professionals teaching any form of exercise in a group setting. Passing the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification Exam demonstrates to your class participants that you possess a foundation of knowledge and skills necessary to teach a safe and effective group fitness class, no matter what type of modality.

American Council on Exercise(ACE)

Lifestyle + Weight Management Consultant Certification

Your clients want to lose weight. They come to you for help. The Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant Certification demonstrates to your clients that you have the knowledge to develop sound, balanced weight management programs that bring together the three critical components of long-term weight management success: nutrition, exercise and lifestyle change

Web sites

Professional Organizations:– http://www.aahperd.org– http://www.acsm.org– http://www.a1.com/ncppa/– http://www.nsca-lift.org– http://www.acefitness.org/getcertified/

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Web sites

Fitness and Exercise Sites:– http://www.fitnessworld.com– http://www.fitnessworld.com/fitnews/news.html– http://www.sportsci.org– http://www.quackwatch.com/