The first of its kind in Canada, the CSEP High Performance Specialization™ focuses on performance and occupational testing and training for qualified exercise professionals working with elite athletes, emergency services personnel, armed forces, and high performance clients.
Whether seeking to officially challenge the CSEP High Performance Specialization™ exam, or to simply enhance professional knowledge for working in High Performance settings, CSEP has the evidence-informed content. Modules covering a breadth of knowledge to prepare QEPs for working with high performance clients have been developed and are ready for purchase and download. Each module includes case studies, links to journal articles and other study resources to broaden your professional knowledge.
Eligibility
By pursuing this cutting-edge specialization, a QEP’s advanced knowledge of high performance and occupational testing and training will be confirmed by the leading organization in exercise science and personal training in Canada.
CSEP Professional Members:
All CSEP Professional Members in good standing are eligible to pursue the CSEP High Performance Specialization™. To earn the CSEP High Performance Specialization™, CSEP Professional Members must successfully challenge a 60-question Theory Exam. There are no additional prerequisites.
Apply now to challenge the CSEP High Performance Theory Exam:
- Schedule an exam date and time with PearsonVUE
- Review the Core Competencies and prepare for the exam with the CSEP recommended resources
- Challenge the Theory Exam (requires a score of 70% or higher)
Application Fee: $125.00 CDN (this includes the theory exam fee) – retest fees may apply
All other Qualified Exercise Professionals:
Individuals who are not currently certified with CSEP may be eligible to obtain the CSEP High Performance Specialization™
Prerequisites: All individuals who are not CSEP certified must 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)
To earn the CSEP High Performance Specialization™, Qualified Exercise Professionals not certified with CSEP must successfully:
- Complete the CSEP High Performance Specialization™ Modules. (see module details below)
- Challenge a 60-question Theory Exam
Application Fee: CSEP Members Fee: $125, Non-Members: $200
Registering as a CSEP High Performance Specialist™:
Upon successful completion of the modules and theory exam, there is a minimal registration fee of $119* to complete the process.
*Learning module subscription fees, prices are subject to change.
Specialization Benefits
CSEP Certified Member Benefits: See Enhanced Scope of Practice information below.
Benefits for Non-Certified Individuals:
- Preferred pricing on Online Learning, Conference Registration
- Discounted access to APMN and JCEP journals (online)
- Receive monthly newsletter – Gold Standard News
- Receive monthly newsletter – Communique
- Profile on CSEP Member Directory
- Access to Member only content on the CSEP portal online
- and more…
The Exam
All CSEP High Performance Specialization™ candidates must challenge a Theory Exam which will demonstrate they have the appropriate theoretical knowledge in all five core competency areas. The Theory Exam is a 60-question, 120-minute, multiple choice exam. It is hosted by independent, third-party testing centres across Canada, as well as online
The required passing score is 70%.
The exam content is broken down over the five core competencies, which are:
- Sport and occupational biomechanics, physiology, and performance psychology
- Sport and occupational performance assessment
- Sport and occupational performance exercise design and prescription
- Energy intake for sport and occupational performance
- Professional and ethical practice
*Price as of December 2023. Price subject to change and all applicable taxes.
Enhance Scope of Practice for CSEP Certified Members
As a CSEP High Performance Specialist™, CSEP has confirmed a members’ advanced knowledge of high performance testing and training.
Upon successfully completing the exam for the CSEP High Performance Specialization™ the member’s current Scope of Practice is enhanced:
For the CSEP Certified Personal Trainer® (CSEP-CPT):
- Previous restrictions on maximal aerobic and anaerobic assessment protocols or exercise program development are lifted.
- Previous restrictions on muscular strength assessment protocols or program design that exceed 90% of 1-RM are lifted.
For the CSEP Clinical Exercise Physiologist™ (CSEP-CEP):
A CSEP-CEP, has the pre-existing advanced knowledge in the field of exercise physiology and are not restrict you from safely working with high performance or occupational clients. However, as a CSEP High Performance Specialist™, a CSEP-CEP has demonstrated their knowledge of high performance testing and training strategies at a more advanced level.
*All qualified exercise professionals (QEP) are expected to recognize their own area of expertise and refer clients who fall outside that expertise to another QEP, a physician, or other appropriate health care provider.
Preparation Modules
Individuals who are not CSEP Certified must successfully complete all CSEP High Performance Specialization™ Modules. There are 6 modules covering the following topics:
- Physiology and Training Prescriptions for the Components of Fitness
- Performance Assessment
- Planning and Management Training
- Sport Nutrition
- Performance Biomechanics
- Sport Psychology
Length: 23 hours plus recommended additional resources
CSEP PDCs: 43.5
Learning Module Subscription Fees (Six months): CSEP Members: $250 | Non-Members: $395
*Purchasing the Course Pack will also provide you with registration in the live events for the Sport Nutrition and Performance Biomechanics modules.
Modules can be purchased individually as well. Note all non-CSEP certified individuals interested in challenging the CSEP High Performance Specialization™ exam MUST show proof of successful completion of ALL modules.
*Learning module subscription fees are subject to change
CSEP HPS Preparation Module Content
Module 1: Physiology and Training Prescription for the Components of Fitness
- Section 1: Endurance
- Section 2: Strength
- Section 3: Speed and Agility
- Section 4: Stature
- Section 5: Flexibility
Total run time: 6 hours plus recommended additional resources
CSEP PDCs: 10
Learning Module Subscription Fees (for six-month subscription): Members: $90.00 | Non-Members: $175.00*
*Pricing subject to change
Module 2: Performance Assessment
- Section 1: Properties of Measurement
- Section 2: Considerations for Testing
- Section 3: Methods of Assessment
Total run time: 2 hours, 10 min plus recommended additional resources
CSEP PDCs: 5
Learning Module Subscription Fees (for six-month subscription): Members: $50.00 | Non-Members: $90.00*
*Pricing subject to change
Module 3 : Planning and Management Training
- Section 1: Periodization
- Section 2: Principles of Training
- Section 3: Training for Speed and Agility
- Section 4: Special Topics
- Case Study 1: Hockey
- Case Study 2: Military
Total run time: 2 hours plus recommended additional resources
CSEP PDCs: 5
Learning Module Subscription Fees (for six-month subscription): Members: $50.00 | Non-Members: $90.00*
*Pricing subject to change
Module 4: Sport Nutrition
- Section 1: Energy Requirements of the High-Performance Athlete
- Section 2: Macronutrient Requirements
- Section 3: Micronutrients
- Section 4: Evidence-Based Supplements
- Section 5: Special Populations
Total running time: 4 hours
CSEP PDCs: 7.5
Learning Module Subscription Fees (for six-month subscription): Members: $65.00 | Non-Members: $130.00*
*Pricing subject to change
Module 5: Performance Biomechanics
- Section 1: Biomechanics: Theoretical Foundation
- Section 2: Forces acting on the human body
- Section 3: Describing Movement
- Section 4: Human Performance: Energetics, Optimization and Conservative Quantities
- Section 5: Analytics: Dimensionality Reduction and Feature Extraction
- Section 6: Investing in the Future: Towards Prediction, Prescription, and Prevention
Total running time: 3 hours
CSEP PDCs: 7.5
Learning Module Subscription Fees (for six-month subscription): Members: $65.00 | Non-Members: $130.00*
*Pricing subject to change
Module 6: Sport Psychology
- Section 1: Motivation
- Section 2: Confidence
- Section 3: Resilience
- Section 4: Self-Awareness
- Section 5: Stress Management
- Section 6: Emotion & Arousal
- Section 7: Athlete-Trainer/Coach Relationship
- Section 8: Leadership
- Section 9: Teamwork
- Section 10: Communication
Total running time: 3 hours
CSEP PDCs: 7.5
Learning Module Subscription Fees (for six-month membership): Members: $65.00 | Non-Members: $130.00*
*Pricing subject to change
Frequently Asked Questions
*Prices and timeline subject to change.
**The CSEP-CPT and CSEP-CEP Scope of Practice will have a special denotation for those with the CSEP High Performance Specialization™ designation allowing for expanded Scope of Practice.