CSEP Clinical Exercise Physiologist™ (CSEP-CEP) Candidates must show that they have graduated* from an appropriate Undergraduate program with successful completion of at least 120 credits at the post-secondary level. The CSEP-CEP Candidate must show that their course work meets all of the Core Competencies outlined for the CSEP-CEP. In some cases the CSEP-CEP Candidate may be required to provide course outlines to support their application.

View the 8 Core Competencies here.

For a full breakdown of each Core Competency, you can purchase the 1st Edition of the CSEP Clinical Exercise Physiologist™ Certification and Study Guide on the CSEP Store.

CSEP-CEP Candidates must provide documentation confirming that the candidate has completed a co-op, work and/or volunteer experience in health-related fitness (healthy and chronic condition populations).

In curriculum lab and peer-testing experience does not count for this requirement; however, experiential learning that includes working with individuals from the community that fall within the chronic condition, athlete or work populations, would qualify. Proof (for example, letter from Education Supervisor, or from Supervisor of work/volunteer experience, or logbook copy) of at least 100 hours of practical experience is REQUIRED

It is also highly recommended for CSEP-CEP Candidates, that they obtain an additional 150 hours of practical experience with diverse populations that include those with chronic conditions, athletes and/or special populations to better prepare themselves for the practical exam and entry level work as a CSEP-CEP. A minimum of 25 hours of practical experience in each of the following areas is strongly recommended:

  • Musculoskeletal Conditions
  • Neuromuscular Conditions
  • Cardiometabolic Conditions
  • Pulmonary Conditions

COVID-19 Information

Recognizing the limitations of obtaining in-person practical experience during COVID-19, CSEP will be accepting a limited amount of virtual experience to satisfy the required practical hours for candidates. Candidates can claim up to 30 hours of virtual experience to help satisfy their required 100 hours of practical experience. CSEP has provided a virtual logbook for this purpose that includes examples of some of the virtual training activities that can be used for these 30 hours.

Please see a sample of a completed logbook that would satisfy the requirements for CSEP-CEP practical hours as well as a template candidates can use when applying.

In addition, this practical experience should be detailed in the candidate’s resume along with supporting letters from institutions and/or persons attesting to the candidate having obtained the stated experience.

Once a candidate’s application is approved they are required to:

  • Successfully challenge the CSEP-CEP Theory Exam and Practical Exam

  • Register with CSEP

  • Complete a course in emergency first-aid and hold a current/valid CPR Level C

Note: Candidates must complete their first CPR course in-person. CSEP recognizes both in-person and virtual CPR courses for recertifications. A candidate who has recertified their CPR may submit either an in-person or virtual course document of successful completion to satisfy this requirement.

CPR Level C

CSEP will ONLY accept CPR certificates issued by:

  • An organization that adheres to the ILCOR standards, OR
  • An organization whose instructors are certified by and/or registered with an organization which adheres to the ILCOR standards, OR
  • An organization which adheres to the ILCOR standards for CPR courses/recertification delivered by an independent instructor who is certified by and/or registered with that organization.

Online CPR courses will not be accepted.

Resources for Certification

*please note – completion of all pre-requisites is NOT a condition for application.