Home CertificationFor Certified Professionals ACSM Credential Descriptions

ACSM Credentials

Current ACSM Credentials

ACSM Certified Personal Trainers (CPT) are qualified to develop and implement exercise programs for apparently healthy individuals or those who have medical clearance to exercise.

ACSM Health Fitness Specialist (HFS) are required to have at least an Associate’s Degree and are qualified to work with special populations with medically controlled diseases, who have been cleared by their physician for independent exercise.

ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Specialists (CES) are health care professionals with a Bachelor’s Degree who typically work in cardiovascular/pulmonary rehabilitation programs, physicians’ offices or medical fitness centers and help clients with, or at high risk for, cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic diseases. The ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist may also provide exercise-related consulting for research, public health, and other clinical and non-clinical services and programs.

The ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist® (RCEP) Certification – ACSM’s most prestigious credential - is for clinical professionals with a master’s degree who work with clients currently under the care of a physician for cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, orthopedic/musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, or neoplastic immunological/hematological disease.

Current Specialty Certifications

ACSM/ACS CERTIFIED CANCER EXERCISE TRAINER (CET) are fitness professionals who are qualified to safely and effectively work with people who have been affected by cancer.  The CET utilizes a basic understanding of cancer diagnoses, surgeries, treatments, symptoms and side effects to assess/develop exercise programs and train clients who are in any of the various stages of cancer diagnosis and/or treatment and have been cleared by their physician for independent physical activity.

ACSM/NCPAD CERTIFIED INCLUSIVE FITNESS TRAINER (CIFT) are fitness professionals with a passion to demonstrate and lead safe, effective and adapted methods of exercise to individuals with disabilities.  A CIFT is a fitness professional who assesses, develops and implements an individualized exercise program for persons with a physical, sensory or cognitive disability, who are healthy or have medical clearance to perform independent physical activity.  

ACSM/NSPAPPH Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist (PAPHS) Are professional who promotes physical activity in public health at the national, state and/or local level.   A PAPHS promotes physical activity in public health through engaging and educating key decision makers about the impact of, and need for legislation, policies and programs that promote physical activity.  Additionally, the PAPHS provides leadership and develops partnerships with affiliates, private and public associations to catalyze the promotion of population-based physical activity. 

Past ACSM Credentials

The ACSM Group Exercise Leader (GEL) is a professional involved in group exercise leadership.  Using a variety of teaching techniques, the Exercise Leader is proficient in leading and demonstrating safe and effective methods of exercise by applying the fundamental principles of exercise science.  The Exercise Leader is familiar with all forms of group exercise including traditional, low, high, mixed, and step aerobics; slide, stationary indoor cycling, interval, circuit, water, muscle conditioning, and flexibility training.

The ACSM Exercise Test Technologist (ETT) certification provides recognition for trained professionals who have demonstrated the knowledge, competence, and skills necessary to deliver safe and valid exercise-related tests in a clinical health care environment.

The ACSM Program Director (PD) credential was directed toward professionals whose primary responsibilities are developing and directing safe and effective clinical exercise programs.  The Program Director certification requires a significant increase in breadth and depth of knowledge and experience beyond that of an Exercise Specialist

The ACSM Health/Fitness Director (HFD) certification provides professionals with recognition of their practical experience and demonstrated competence as an administrative leader of health and fitness programs in the corporate, commercial, or community setting in which apparently healthy individuals and individuals with controlled disease participate in health promotion and fitness-related activities.  The professional responsibilities of a Health/Fitness Director encompass an advanced knowledge of applied exercise physiology, exercise programming, emergency procedures and safety, program administration, staff training and supervision, as well as overall facility and program management.