Kinesiology Certifications

National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)

1. NSCA Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT):

a. Description:

i. NSCA-CPT® are health/fitness professionals who, using an

individualized approach, assess, motivate, educate and train clients

regarding their personal health and fitness needs. They design safe

and effective exercise programs, provide the guidance to help

clients achieve their personal health/fitness goals, and respond

appropriately in emergency situations.

b. Prerequisites

i. 18 years old

ii. High School Diploma or equivalent

iii. CPR AND AED certified

2. Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS):

a. Description:

i. CSCS® are professionals who apply scientific knowledge to train

athletes for the primary goal of improving athletic performance.

They conduct sport-specific testing sessions, design and implement

safe and effective strength training and conditioning programs and

provide guidance regarding nutrition and injury prevention.

b. Prerequisites

i. Bachelor Degree from Accredited institution

ii. CPR and AED certified

3. Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator (TSAC-F):

a. Description:

i. TSAC-F® apply scientific knowledge to physically train military, fire

and rescue, law enforcement, protective services, and other

emergency personnel to improve performance, promote wellness,

and decrease injury risk. They conduct needs analyses and

Kinesiology Certifications

physical testing sessions, design and implement safe and effective

strength training and conditioning programs, and provide general

information regarding nutrition.

b. Prerequisites

i. 18 years old

ii. High school diploma or equivalent

iii. CPR AND AED certification

4. Certified Special Population Specialist (CSPS):

a. Description:

i. CSPS® are fitness professionals who, using an individualized

approach, assess, motivate, educate, and train special population

clients of all ages regarding their health and fitness needs,

preventively, and in collaboration with healthcare professionals.

They design safe and effective exercise programs, provide the

guidance to help clients achieve their personal health/fitness goals,

and recognize and respond to emergency situations.

b. Prerequisites

i. Have one year to submit documentation demonstrating completion

of the following

1. Current NSCA cert (CSCS, NSCA-CPT, TSAC-F) OR

NCCA-accredited personal trainer certi OR BA/BS or higher

education by an accredited institution in Ex. Rx. or a related

field (PT, Chiropractic medicine, etc) OR current license as a

PT, PTA, Athletic trainer, or registered dietitian

2. CPR AND AED certified

3. Minimum of 250 hours of related practical experience

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)

1. Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C)

a. Description:

i. Do you see exercise as an important element in the prevention and

treatment of disease, and want to motivate people to practice

healthy behaviors? ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologists

take

training to an advanced level by conducting and interpreting

physical fitness assessments and developing exercise prescriptions

for people who are healthy or have medically controlled diseases.

b. Prerequisites

i. Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Physiology or Kinesiology

ii. Adult CPR/AED certified

c. Jobs:

i. Manage fitness facility, personal training, group fitness

2. Certified Group Exercise Instructor (GEI)

a. Description:

i. Do you love the energy of a group exercise class? Using a variety

of teaching and motivational techniques to create a positive

exercise experience, ACSM Certified Group Exercise

Instructors® (GEI) are at the forefront of the group exercise

movement. From coaching an individual through a tough session to

providing healthy lifestyle support outside of class — the personal

impact you'll make is long-lasting.

b. Prerequisites

i. The requirements to obtaining this certification are as follows. The

aspiring individual must be 18 years or older with a high school

diploma or certification with equal value. They must also be adult

CPR/AED certified.

3. Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP)

a. Description:

i. Do you believe in the therapeutic benefits of exercise? ACSM

Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologists

(CEP) provide exercise-

related consulting, and conduct assessments and individualized

training to guide and strengthen the lifestyles of those with

cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic diseases and disorders.

b. Prerequisites

i. The minimum requirements for this certification are a bachelor's

degree and some working field experience.

4. Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist (RCEP)

a. Description:

i. Be prepared to work with a team of healthcare professionals who

impact patient quality of life on a daily basis – and counsel clients,

too – by becoming an ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise

Physiologist® (RCEP). Field-experienced and highly educated,

ACSM RCEPs are prepared to work in collaboration with a clinical

or research team that oversees exercise programming in

individuals experiencing a state of disease or who are physically

limited. An ACSM RCEP impacts individuals’ quality of life on a

daily basis.

b. Prerequisites

i. Minimum of Master's degree in Exercise Science, Exercise

Physiology, or Kinesiology - coursework must cover clinical

exercise physiology, clinical exercise assessment & testing, clinical

exercise prescription and clinical exercise training.

5. Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer (CIFT):

a. Description:

i. Created in collaboration with the National Center on Health,

Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD), ACSM/NCHPAD

Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainers (CIFT) are uniquely qualified to

work with people who have health risks and/or physical limitations.

With an understanding of current ADA policy, ACSM/NCHPAD

CIFTs create adapted programming that promotes safe and

effective training – while also providing motivational support for a

healthy lifestyle.

b. Prerequisites

i. Current ACSM or NCCA-accredited health/fitness-related

certification OR Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science, Recreation

Therapy or Adapted Physical Education

ii. Adult CPR/AED certified (with hands-on practical skills component)

6. Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer (CET):

a. Description:

i. Do you want to give guidance and strength through exercise to

people living with cancer? Created in collaboration with

the American Cancer Society (ACS), ACSM/ACS Certified Cancer

Exercise Trainers (CETs) design and administer fitness

assessments and exercise programs specific to a person’s cancers

diagnosis, treatment, and current recovery status.

b. Prerequisites

i. Adult CPR/AED certified (with hands-on practical skills component)

ii. Bachelor's Degree (in any field) with 500 hours of experience

training older adults or individuals with chronic conditions OR

iii. 10,000 hours of experience training older adults or individuals with

chronic conditions

7. Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist (PAPHS)

a. Description:

i. Promote physical activity from the playground to policy-makers by

becoming an ACSM/NPAS Physical Activity in Public Health

Specialist (PAPHS). In collaboration with ACSM and the National

Physical Activity Society (NPAS) – learn how to make your voice

heard for the advancement of your community on the way to

building partnerships, developing initiatives, and advocating for

programming that centers on physical activity as a path to stronger

public health.

b. Prerequisites

i. Bachelor's degree in a health-related field from a regionally

accredited college or university, or Bachelor's degree in any subject

with 1,200 hours of experience in settings promoting physical

activity, healthy lifestyle management or other health promotion.