ACSM-CEP vs ACSM-EP

certification

certification

2031-08-31

2031-08-31

Clinical exercise physiologists

Exercise physiologists

Pathway A: Master's degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology or equivalent from a regionally accredited college/university. Pathway B: Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology or Kinesiology from a regionally accredited college/university. Effective Aug. 15, 2027, the degree must be earned through a CAAHEP-accredited exercise science/exercise physiology program (with transition exemptions).

At least a Bachelor's degree (baccalaureate or higher) with a major in Exercise Science (or equivalent) from a regionally accredited college/university; candidates may test in the last semester of their degree program. An 'equivalent major' requires a degree including a minimum of 21 semester or 28 quarter hours of exercise science coursework covering Exercise Physiology (min. 3.0 credit stand-alone course), Strength and Conditioning, Applied Kinesiology or Biomechanics, Anatomy and Physiology, Exercise Testing and Prescription, Special Populations, and Health Risk Appraisal.

yes — Master's degree (Pathway A) OR Bachelor's degree (Pathway B)

yes — Bachelor's degree or higher

Minimum 600 hours of clinical experience in a clinical exercise program (Master's/Pathway A) OR minimum 1,200 hours (Bachelor's/Pathway B). Hours must be from a clinical setting; may be internships, volunteer or work experience; no more than 50% may be virtual counseling hours. Observation hours, non-clinical experience, hours with athletes/apparently healthy populations and personal training do not count.

yes

yes

Current certification in Basic Life Support Provider (BLS) or CPR for the Professional Rescuer (with hands-on practical skills component); First Aid beginning 2027. Must submit application with clinical experience log, official transcript, program curriculum/course descriptions and other supporting documentation before registering for the exam.

Current adult CPR/AED certification with a live/in-person practical skills examination component (e.g., American Heart Association or American Red Cross); First Aid required beginning 2027.

Computer-based multiple-choice examination delivered by Pearson VUE; available as live remote-proctored online exam (OnVUE) or at an in-person proctored testing center

Computer-based proctored exam delivered by Pearson VUE; may be taken online (OnVUE live remote-proctored) or at an in-person Pearson VUE testing center

Scaled score of 550 (scale 200-800); criterion-referenced standard set via modified Angoff

Scaled score of 550 on a 200-800 scale (criterion-referenced standard set via modified Angoff)

Retesting requires payment of the re-test fee ($235); a retest policy is set out in the Candidate Handbook. Candidates whose online exam is terminated forfeit the registration and must reschedule, including retest fees.

Retest requires payment of a re-test fee ($235 for ACSM-EP); handbook contains a Retest Policy section.

$460 exam fee nonmember · $350 exam fee member · $50 application fee

$350 exam fee member · $460 exam fee nonmember

yes

yes

3 years

3 years

60

60

ACSM CEC (Continuing Education Credit); ACSM awards 1 CEC per contact hour of education; CEUs/CMEs accepted at 1.0 = 1.0 (0.1 CEU = 1.0 CEC if decimal system used)

ACSM CEC (Continuing Education Credit; 1 CEC = 1 contact hour of education); CEUs/CMEs accepted at 1.0 = 1.0 equivalency (0.1 = 1.0 if provider uses decimal system)

$70 standard

$70 standard

no

no

yes

yes

Certification valid 3 years; recertification must be completed by 11:59 p.m. EST on the expiration date. Certificants certified before 2025 expire Dec. 31; those newly certified in 2025 expire three years from the date of initial certification. A six-month grace period follows expiration (certification inactive during that time) with an $80 late fee; after the grace period only reinstatement ($225) or re-examination is possible.

Certification valid 3 years; those certified before 2025 expire Dec 31, those newly certified in 2025 expire three years from date of initial certification. Recertification must be completed by 11:59 p.m. EST on the expiration date to avoid the $80 late fee; an automatic six-month grace period follows (certification is expired/inactive during it), after which the credential lapses and only reinstatement ($225) or re-examination is possible.

active

active

2026-09-03

2026-09-03

American Council on Exercise (ACE) (accepts ceus from) · National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) (accepts ceus from) · National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) (accepts ceus from) · AFAA (accepts ceus from) · ACSM Approved CEC Providers (100+ pre-approved providers) (approved ceu provider) · ACSM (CPR/BLS courses, auditing college courses, job duties, job shadowing, reading books/articles, EMT training, lifeguarding) (not recognized)

ACSM Approved CEC Providers (100+ programs reviewed and approved by ACSM's Education Department) (approved ceu provider) · ACE (American Council on Exercise) (accepts ceus from) · NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) (accepts ceus from) · NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) (accepts ceus from) · AFAA (accepts ceus from) · Other certifying organizations (for credential-earning credit) (not recognized)

Exercise Physiology, Special Populations

Exercise Physiology