Scope of Practice
Minimum Requirements
ACSM Membership

Become an ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist®

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.

ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologists^® work individually, or as part of an interdisciplinary team in clinical, communication and public health settings, and their practice is guided by published professional guidelines, standards and applicable state and federal regulations. 

Enter your e-mail adress to the right to receive a copy of the RCEP Application.

Becoming ACSM Certified says a lot about you 

It says you have chosen to become certified by the organization that’s leading the way in health fitness and clinical certifications.

Did you know?

• ACSM was the first to certify health fitness professionals … and to date we have certified over 25,000 health fitness professionals in 44 countries.
  
• ACSM establishes the exercise guidelines that all other certifications use for testing … so you know you will be certified by the organization that is setting the standards in the health fitness industry.
  
• ACSM certifications are NCCA-accredited … assuring you that our certifications meet the highest qualifications.

  (back to top)

ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist^® Scope of Practice

The RCEP performs:

• Exercise testing
• Exercise prescription
• Exercise and physical activity counseling
• Exercise supervision
• Exercise and health education/promotion
• Evaluation of exercise and physical activity outcome measures

  (back to top)

Minimum Requirements for becoming an ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist^®

To become an ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist^® you must meet all of the following minimum requirements:

• Master’s Degree from a college or university in exercise science, exercise physiology, or kinesiology.
  
• Current certification as a Basic Life Support Provider or CPR for the Professional Rescuer
  
• One of the following:
  • ACSM Exercise Specialist^® Certification (current or expired) OR
  • 600 hours of clinical experience
    
• Recommendations for the 600 hours of clinical experience:
  • Cardiovascular: 200 hours
  • Pulmonary: 100 hours
  • Metabolic: 120 hours
  • Orthopedic/Musculoskeletal: 100 hours
  • Neuromuscular: 40 hours
  • Immunological/Hematological: 40 hours

    (back to top)

Join ACSM as a Professional Member and Save $60 on ACSM Certification!

When you become a member of ACSM you will save $60 on getting certified and receive many other valuable benefits including:

• Subscription to ACSM’s monthly scientific journal, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise® ($400 value)
• Subscription to ACSM’s quarterly review of current research topics, Exercise and Sport Science Reviews ($125 value)
• Subscription to ACSM’s bimonthly e-newsmagazine Sports Medicine Bulletin ($40 value)
• Access to and inclusion in ACSM’s Online Membership Directory
• Discounts on meetings (e.g. ACSM’s Annual Meeting) and conference registrations ($250 value)
• Discounts on ACSM Certification Exams ($60 value)
• Discounts on ACSM self-test fees ($200 value)
• Discounts on insurance and consumer products
• ACSM Membership I.D. card
• ACSM Member Identity Mark for use on your printed materials or website
• Voting privileges within the College

You can join for as little as $80 right now. Click here to learn more and become an ACSM member today!

Enter your e-mail address and name at the top of the page to learn more about becoming an ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist® and receive our free Certification Resource Guide and download the RCEP Application.

(back to top)