 |
ACSM Exercise Specialist®
Scope of Practice
The Exercise Specialist® (ES) is a
healthcare professional certified by the ACSM to deliver a variety of
exercise assessment, training, rehabilitation, risk factor
identification and lifestyle management services to individuals with or
at risk for cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic disease(s). These
services are typically delivered in cardiovascular/pulmonary
rehabilitation programs, physicians'offices or medical fitness centers.
The ACSM Exercise Specialist® is also competent to
provide exercise-related consulting for research, public health, and
other clinical and non-clinical services and programs.
The exam is delivered in a computer-based format at a Pearson
VUE® authorized testing center. Register Now !
(back to
top)
Minimum Requirements
-
A Bachelor’s Degree in an allied health field
from a regionally accredited college or university (Examples: Nursing,
Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Physical
Education, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Kinesiotherapy, Physiology,
Biology, Exercise Physiology, and Human Performance. One is eligible to
sit for the exam if the candidate is in the last term of their degree
program); AND
-
*Minimum of 600 hours of practical experience in a
clinical exercise program (e.g. cardiac/ pulmonary rehabilitation
programs, exercise testing, exercise prescription, electrocardiography,
patient education and counseling, disease management of cardiac,
pulmonary, and metabolic diseases, and emergency management);
AND
-
Current certification as a Basic Life Support
Provider or CPR for the Professional Rescuer (available through the
American Heart Association or the American Red Cross).
*Proof of the 600 hours of practical experience does
not need to be submitted prior to taking the exam. ACSM audits 25%
of the candidates who pass the exam. Audited candidates will be
notified by ACSM and required to submit the required documentation to
the ACSM National Office within 30 days. The ACSM Exercise
Specialist committee will review the documentation and determine the
approval status of each candidate. Upon approval, certificates
will be sent to candidates.
(back to
top)
Recommended Competencies
-
Demonstrate competence in the KSAs required of the
Exercise Specialist®, Health/Fitness
Instructor® and ACSM
Certified Personal TrainerSM as listed in the Seventh Edition
of ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and
Prescription.
-
Ability to demonstrate extensive knowledge of
functional anatomy, exercise physiology, pathophysiology,
electrocardiography, human behavior/psychology, gerontology, graded
exercise testing for healthy and diseased
populations, exercise supervision/leadership, patient counseling, and
emergency procedures related to exercise testing
and training situations.
(back to
top)
Exam & Workshop Costs
-
Workshop $250 (Register before the Early-bird
deadline for $225!)
-
Certification Exam (ACSM Alliance or National
Member) $239 Please contact the ACSM Certification Department to
receive your discount 317-637-9200
-
Certification Exam (non-member) $299
-
Retest $155.50 Please contact the
ACSM Certification Department to receive your discount
317-637-9200.
New Workshop and Exam Promotions!
Register for select exams/workshops at the same time and receive
amazing discounts!
ACSM Members save $80! (Become an ACSM member for as little as
$90)
- Health Fitness Instructor® exam and workshop $439
- Exercise Specialist® exam and workshop $459
ACSM Non-Members save $30!
- Health Fitness Instructor® exam and workshop $499
- Exercise Specialist® exam and workshop $519
To receive the Workshop-Exam promotional savings, download
the application
form (PDF). If you choose to take the advantage of
this opportunity, you will receive an exam voucher code at the
workshop. Upon receiving this voucher code, please contact Pearson
VUE® authorized testing centers to register to take
the exam at a time, date, and location of your choice.
(back to
top)
Study Materials
To order study materials, please click on the above
links, visit www.lww.com, or call 1-800-486-5643.
(back to
top)
Two-Day Workshop
The workshop offered for the ES requires a certain
degree of job knowledge and training in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation,
exercise testing, exercise prescription, and program development for
workshop participation. The program content of the ES workshop is based
on a basic knowledge of exercise physiology, pathophysiology,
pharmacology, electrocardiography, exercise program leadership, and
counseling. These workshops serve as review and supplement the
background experience of the well-prepared participant. It is not
intended to independently prepare a candidate for ES certification.
Workshop dates, locations, and registration now
available!
(back to
top)
|
|
