Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat
is the best credential for me? What is the best credential for me?In order to determine the appropriate credentialing for you, consider the requirements for each level of certification. Certified Personal TrainerSM
Minimum Requirements Certified Health Fitness Specialist Minimum
Requirements Certified Clinical Exercise
Specialist® Minimum Requirements Registered Clinical Exercise
Physiologist® Minimum Requirements Recommendation of hours for clinical experience:
ACSM/NCPAD Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer (CIFT) ACSM/ACS Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer (CET) Hours of experience with older adults or individuals with chronic conditions include: exercise testing, exercise prescription, group or individual training, group or individual client education, academic coursework and/or continuing education (relating to older adults or individuals with chronic conditions), internships or observational hours in an oncology setting and/or cancer rehabilitation program. What are examples of allied health degrees?Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Physical Education, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Kinesiotherapy, Physiology, Biology, Exercise Physiology, and Human Performance. What should I expect when taking the examination?The examination for each level of certification is composed of multiple choice questions drawn from the KSAs found in the Seventh Edition of ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription until June 30, 2009. As of July 1, 2009 the questions will be based off of the New Edition of the ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription the Eigth Edition. Each level of certification includes "trial" questions that are being tested for use in future examinations. These trial questions are randomly distributed throughout the exam and will not be counted in the final results. You will not be allowed to bring any materials or equipment into the examination area. A calculator will be provided within the exam as it is needed. "Metabolic Calculations for the ACSM Certified Health Fitness Specialist and ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist exams will be provided as they are listed on page 289 of ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 7th edition. Candidates should select the Exhibit X key within the exam to access the calculations. For a better understanding of the availability of the metabolic calculations, please watch our exam tutorial at www.acsm.org/certification/ACSMSampleExamTutorial.wmv" How can I register for an exam?For ACSM Certified Personal TrainerSM, Certified Health Fitness Specialist, or Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist register:
For RCEP exams: Candidates who have an ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist Certification include with your application:
Candidates who have not completed ACSM Exercise Specialist® include with your application:
If you are approved to take the exam, you will receive a unique ACSM identification number to register with Pearson VUE for the exam. Application review takes approximately 3-4 weeks. What are workshops?Workshops are offered for our 4 primary certifications. ACSM workshops are designed to develop and enhance the knowledge base and practical skills of the participants. The curriculum has been developed so that didactic material and its practical application are scheduled in concert. In this way, the participant is better able to assimilate theory and practice. To register for a workshop go to www.acsm.org/register. Am I required to attend a workshop?Workshops are not a prerequisite; however, they provide a review of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) and a forum for the acquisition of new knowledge and skills. How can I find out where workshops are located?List of workshop dates and locations - www.acsm.org/register Do I have to be CPR certified prior to a workshop?Candidates do not have to have CPR certification to participate in a workshop. However, candidates must be CPR certified before taking an exam. What study tools are available for me?The following core resources are recommended by the ACSM to aid in the preparation of each exam: Certified Personal Trainer Certified Health Fitness Specialist Certified Clinical Exercise
Specialist Registered Clinical Exercise
Physiologist For a complete listing of recommended and optional books, and to order books, please call 1-800-486-5643 or visit www.acsm.org/studymaterials. I cannot attend the workshop that I registered for. Can I re-schedule or transfer to another day?Yes. Requests for cancellations and transfers must be submitted to the ACSM National Center via mail, fax, or email rashman@acsm.org. Please note that transfer requests are contingent upon the enrollment limitation of the transfer site. Will I be assessed a fee?
I cannot attend the test that I registered for. Can I re-schedule?Requests to cancel or transfer the ACSM exams must be made at least one business day in advance of the appointment. If the candidate does not reschedule or cancel, he/she will be billed for the exam. All requests must be made either by calling Pearson Vue at 1-888-883-2276 or at www.pearsonvue.com. If the candidate does not arrive within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time, then the candidate is considered a no-show and has forfeited the exam, and will be charged for the exam. Cancellations for the ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist® application and exam will be charged a $75.00 processing fee which will be handled through the ACSM National Office. Requests for cancellation can be emailed to certification@acsm.org. How can I find a list of testing sites in my area?Contact Pearson VUE at www.pearsonvue.com/acsm or call (888)-VUE-ACSM or (888) 883-2276. How are the exams scored?The passing score for all ACSM certification exams is set in advance and applied to all candidates' exam results. Similar to exam scoring for a wide variety of other high stakes, national standardized exams (e.g., GRE, SAT, GMAT, etc.), ACSM certification exams are reported on a 200-800 score scale. Specifically, all candidates are expected to meet the passing standard of a scaled score of 550 in order to receive a "Pass" on any respective ACSM certification exam. This passing standard is based upon the expectations of the subject matter experts/test developers across all topics of the competency areas, as related to each respective credential's examination blueprint. Passing candidates are expected to answer a sufficient number of test questions correctly that demonstrates a summative amount of knowledge at a level of at least minimal competency or the lowest acceptable score to pass the exam. Finally, each content area is weighted proportionally, based on the results of a periodic comprehensive job task analysis/role delineation study. In other words, some content areas are more important (thus, have more questions) and count more with respect to the overall score than other content areas. On the score report, candidates receive their overall score, their pass/fail status, as well as a breakdown by each specific content area. After completing the exam, when will I receive my results?You will receive your results immediately upon completion of the exam. If I do not pass the exam, how quickly can I take a re-test?Re-test candidates with receive a re-test voucher number from Pearson VUE. You may retake the exam 15 days following your initial exam and every 15 days following. What is the ACSM ProFinder and what are its benefits?ACSM Profinder is a resource which can be used by ACSM credentialed professionals to post their contact information for potential employers or professional peers. It can be used as a marketing tool, allowing prospective clients to located experts who have earned the “Gold Standard” among credentialing. After I earn my certification, what are the requirements to maintain it?You have three years to accumulate the required number of Continuing Education Credits (CECs), Continuing Medical Education (CMEs), Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and/or the equivalent based on your certification. In addition, you must pay a required recertification fee and maintain your CPR certification. See below for credit and fee requirements.
*Must Maintain NCCA accredited certification for renewal. How can I earn continuing education credits?You can earn CECs through participation in any of the following activities:
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