CSEP Exercise and Depression Specialization™

Exercise-based treatment for depression (EBT-D) is recognized in Canada as a first-line treatment for major depressive disorder. The CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialization™ prepares Qualified Exercise Professionals with further depth of knowledge and understanding of EBT-D. Course materials provide an in-depth overview of depressive disorders, including symptoms, diagnoses and evidence-based treatment options. The course materials provide practical strategies to support clients with depression, including empirically-informed behaviour change strategies, how to promote other movement behaviours, professional practice & ethics.

The CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialization™ was developed in partnership with the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology and the University of British Columbia. The development was supported by funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and a Michael Smith Health Research BC Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant.

CSEP Mental Health Literacy course

This online interactive course provides foundational knowledge of mental illness, recovery-focused practice, and supportive strategies that can help you work with clients in a respectful and effective manner.

  • If you previously purchased the CSEP Mental Health & Exercise Interactive Textbook, you automatically have access to this content  in your CSEP Online Learning Dashboard)
  • Anyone may purchase and take this course even if you don’t intend to seek the CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialization™
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CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialization™ Preparation Modules

These four online interactive modules provide specific preparation for attaining the CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialization, and are intended to increase your confidence to work with clients with depression. We’ll do this by building your knowledge of depressive disorders, the research on exercise-based interventions, and behaviour change strategies.

  • It is recommended to complete the Mental Health Literacy course before beginning these modules.
  • Anyone may purchase and take these modules even if you don’t intend to seek the CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialization™
Purchase the preparation modules

CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialization™

This designation demonstrates that you are prepared to work with clients with depression.

After completing the Mental Health Literacy course and the CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialization™ preparation modules, you may apply for this specialization and take a theory exam. If you pass the exam, you may then register to become a CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialist™

Additional requirements apply; see below for details.

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Benefits of the CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialization™

Half of Canadians will experience mental illness by age 40, and 1 in 7 Canadians will experience major depressive disorder at some point in their life. Depression is common and can be debilitating, and you will encounter clients experiencing depression through your work as an exercise provider.

Depression includes affective (mood), cognitive (thinking), and neurovegetative (body) symptoms, which can affect the movement behaviours – including exercise..

  • Knowledge of depression and evidence-based behaviour change strategies can help you better support clients as they work toward their exercise, fitness, and health goals.
  • As a CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialist™, you can add this designation to your credentials to highlight your advanced training in this area of knowledge and skill.
  • CSEP Members can also display and be found via their CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialization in the CSEP Member Directory.

Eligibility for the CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialization™

All CSEP Professional Members (CSEP-CPTs and CSEP-CEPs) in good standing are eligible to pursue the CSEP Exercise and Depression Specialization™.

If you are not certified with CSEP, you may be eligible to obtain the CSEP Exercise and Depression Specialization™ if you meet the following pre-requisites:

  • Completion of at least 60 credits (2-years) of study at a post-secondary institution in the field of exercise science, health and fitness, Physiotherapy, Athletic Therapy, Chiropractic, Kinesiology, etc.
  • Proof of insurance coverage to practice as a personal trainer, Kinesiologist, exercise physiologist, etc. (see FAQs for minimum required coverage)

How to become a CSEP Exercise and Depression Specialist™

Step 1: Complete the CSEP Mental Health Literacy course

This is a 10-hour training program developed for exercise providers of all backgrounds. It introduces you to concepts like stigma, recovery-oriented practice, mental illness, and supportive strategies.

If you previously purchased the CSEP Mental Health & Exercise Interactive Textbook, you automatically have access to this content in your CSEP Online Learning Dashboard)

This course can be purchased as part of the Specialization application bundle (see step 3)

Purchase the course
Step 2: Complete the CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialization™ Preparation Modules

This is a 30-hour training program developed to increase your knowledge of depression and introduce you to different behaviour change skills.

This course can be purchased as part of the Specialization application bundle (see step 3)

Purchase the preparation modules
Step 3: Apply to attempt the Theory Exam

Introductory pricing (effective through the end of 2025):

  • CSEP Professional Members: $95 + tax 
  • Members of Industry & Allied Partner organizations: $150 + tax
  • All others: $185 + tax

The purpose of the application is to review and confirm the candidate has completed the requisite education to pursue the specialization. The Fee includes both the application fee and the first attempt at the Theory Exam fee; additional fees apply if you are not successful on your first attempt.

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Step 4: Complete the CSEP Exercise and Depression Specialization™ Theory Exam

The Theory Exam is a 60-question, 120-minute, multiple choice exam hosted by PearsonVUE – (an independent, third-party testing company) with centres across Canada and online. 

The required passing score is 70%.

The exam content is broken down over the following areas of knowledge:

  • Depression
  • Treatment Approaches
  • Supportive Strategies
  • The Law, The Code, and Ethics
Step 5: Register as a CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialist™
  • CSEP Professional Members (CSEP-CPTs and CSEP-CEPs): $0
  • Members of Industry & Allied Partner organizations: $95 + tax
  • All others: $119 + tax
Your CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialization™ must be renewed annually by March 31 in order to remain in good standing and promote your credential.

Endorsements

The CSEP Exercise and Depression Specialization™ has been endorsed by:

  • The Canadian Strength and Conditioning Association
  • ParticipACTION
  • Exercise is Medicine Canada
  • Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments

With the increase in mental health issues across Canada, there is an urgent need for strategies that are both accessible and sustainable. The CSEP Exercise and Depression Specialization™ stands out as a valuable program that equips professionals with a holistic, compassionate, and evidence-based approach to mental health care.

Dr. Trevor Cottrell, PhD., President, Canadian Strength and Conditioning Association

Exercise has long been recognized as a stand-alone treatment for depression and related symptoms. Therefore, exercise professionals have a vital role to play in supporting individuals with depression in starting and maintaining exercise habits. CSEP’s new evidence-based professional educational modules will help instill confidence, skills and appreciation for the interconnected association between exercise and mental health among these key specialists. ParticipACTION is proud to endorse these much needed training and certification modules. 

Elio Antunes, President & CEO, ParticipACTION

Frequently Asked Questions

The exam will be available once it is translated and available in both English and French in early 2025.

However, you may not use the CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialist™ designation unless you successfully complete the theory exam, register and annually renew your Specialization with CSEP.

Yes, you can purchase the Mental Health Literacy course and/or the CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialization™ Preparation Modules without applying for the specialization or taking the exam. You will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course/module, which can be used toward professional development credit (PDC) requirements.

However, you may not use the CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialist™ designation unless you successfully complete the theory exam, register and annually renew your Specialization with CSEP.

After you submit your application and it is approved, you will be sent instructions for registering for the Theory Exam.

  1. Schedule an exam date and time with PearsonVUE
  2. Prepare for the exam with the CSEP recommended resources
  3. Attempt the Theory Exam (requires a score of 70% or higher)

Please consult the CSEP Certification Exam Attempts Policy

No. The CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialization™ is obtained by successfully completing the 60-question, multiple-choice theory exam. There is no practical exam for the CSEP Exercise and Depression Specialization™.

If you are a CSEP Professional Member, you already have Individual Professional Liability and Commercial General Liability Insurance, brokered by BMS, through your CSEP-CPT or CSEP-CEP certification.

For others with the CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialization™, CSEP is not providing professional liability insurance coverage. Individuals are responsible for obtaining their own insurance coverage and must provide proof of this coverage at the time of application and each year upon renewal. The insurance must provide the following minimal levels of coverage:

  • Professional Liability
    • $4,000,000 per claim
    • $6,000,000 per year
  • Legal Expense Coverage
    • $100,000 per claim
    • $100,000 per year
  • Criminal Defense Reimbursement
    • $100,000 per claim
    • $100,000 per year
  • Commercial General Liability
    • $5,000,000 per occurrence
    • $5,000,000 per year

If you are a CSEP Professional Member (CSEP-CPT or CSEP-CEP), the CSEP Exercise and Depression Specialization™ renews annually with your CSEP professional membership. There are no additional fees or professional development required to renew the Specialization. CSEP members’ comprehensive CSEP Professional and General Liability Insurance remains unchanged.

Individuals who are not CSEP Professional Members will need to complete the following to maintain their CSEP Exercise & Depression Specialization™ must be renewed annually by March 31 in order to remain in good standing and promote your credential.

  • Members of Industry & Allied Partner Organizations: $95*
  • Non-CSEP Members: $119*
  • Provide proof of continuing insurance coverage to practice

*Prices subject to change

Refresher update and ongoing professional development education may be required as new information related to exercise and depression becomes available.  Current CSEP Exercise and Depression Specialists™ will be notified of updates to review well in advance.