Certification

National Certifications

Students may elect to supplement their academic training with a national certification in a specific area. Becoming certified in your specialty is often desirable because it guarantees that you understand the practical application of exercise and exercise physiology. Certification may improve your attractiveness to employers, clients and graduate school. Most certifications listed below require an examination for a fee at scheduled sites. Workshops are sometimes available. Some certifications have prerequisites, e.g., CPR, practical experience, academic training, and/or a B.S. or B.A. degree. Interested students should contact the certifying organizations below for additional information and updates.

Organization		Skills developed/examined	Job opportunities
American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP)
	Certified Exercise Physiologist (EPC)	The EPC has the academic and practical skills, abilities, and attributes to lead, test, and analyze health, fitness, rehabilitation, and human performance concerns.	Exercise Physiologists, Health Fitness Instructors, Personal Trainers, Wellness Coordinators
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
	Health/Fitness Instruc (H/FI)	Design safe & effective exercise prescriptiions, conduct individual exer programs, fitness testing. Health education for healthy people	Personal & Strength trainers, health/fitness professions
	Exercise Specialist (ES)	Graded exercise testing, prescription, leadership, patient counseling & education in clinical exercise programs	Learn to counsel & prescribe exercise programs for patients with special needs
	Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP)	The Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist is an allied health professional who works in the application of exercise and physical activity for those clinical and pathological situations where it has been shown to provide therapeutic or functional benefit	Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Health Care Administration, Physical Education, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Kinesiotherapy, Athletic Training, Physiology, Sports Management, Biology, Exercise Physiology, Human Performance, Health Science,
Aerobics and Fitness Association of American (AFAA)
	Primary Aerobic Instructor Certification	Basic exercise standards and guidelines. Practical teaching skills	Aerobics instructor
	Step	Proper alignment/technique, choreo- graphy, warm-ups, cueing techniques	Step instructor
	Personal Trainer/Fitness Counselor	Learn individualized fitness assessment and program design	Fitness professionals who work one-on-one with clients
	Weight Training	Lifting & spotting techniques, safety, anatatomy & biomechanics, program design for various populations	Personal or employed Weight training instructor
	Emergency Response	First aid and emergency-response procedures
	AFAA Fitness Practitioner	Range of fitness educational services including assessment, nutrition education, one-on-one fitness counseling
American Council on Exercise (ACE)
	Group Fitness Instructor	Exercise science, exercise programming, instruct techniques, professional responsibility	Lead exercise groups
	Personal Trainer	Client assessment, prog design, prog implementation, professional responsibility, fitness assessment	Personal trainer
	Lifestyle & Weight Mgmt Consultant	Develop sound balanced w-mgmt prog that involve nutr, exer & lifestyle change	Weight Management
	Clinical Exercise Specialist	Work with indiv who have recd medical trt and have been cleared by their Mds to return to exercise & physical activity	Clinical situations; work with special populations
National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA)
	Strength and Conditioning Specialist	Knowledge of exerise science & nutrition, progr design, exercise technique, organiz & admin, testing & evaluation	Strength and conditioning trainer
	Personal Trainer	Client consultation/assessment, progr planning, techniques of exercise, safety, emergency procedures & legalities	Personal trainer