CSEP Certified Personal Trainers® (CSEP-CPT) work with individuals to meet their healthy lifestyle goals using an evidence-informed approach acquired through post-secondary education. A CSEP-CPT administers the CSEP-PATH® process for assessing, gathering, and applying information about a client’s physical activity fitness, and sedentary behaviour levels to inform the development of a client-tailored physical activity, fitness and lifestyle plan.
Where can CSEP-CPTs work?
As a CSEP-CPT, your certification will stand out among all other fitness certifications in Canada for its foundations in evidence-informed research and development.
A CSEP-CPT’s clientele may include:
- Apparently healthy individuals
- Individuals with a stable health condition who are able to exercise independently
- Individuals of all ages
Among our over 4000 CSEP-CPTs currently certified, our members have found employment in the areas of:
- Private and public-funded gyms and fitness facilities
- Municipal recreation centres
- University/college fitness facilities
- Fitness establishments across Canada
- Private clinics
CSEP-CPT Scope of Practice
The CSEP-CPT Scope of Practice defines the actions and activities that CSEP Certified Personal Trainers® are qualified and insured to perform under their defined certification. View the CSEP-CPT Scope of Practice.
High Intensity Interval Training: In recent years, interval training in the forms of high intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval training (SIT) have become a popular form of exercise. A document was developed to address questions from CSEP-CPTs on High Intensity Interval Training and their Scope of Practice – view it here.
Are you a member-in-good standing with ESSA or ACSM and interested in becoming certified with CSEP?
You may be eligible to apply for equivalency registration as a CSEP Certified Member. To learn more and apply for registration select the appropriate link below.
Requirements & Certification Process
Applicants must show that they have completed, at a minimum, the equivalent of two years (60 credits) of full-time study at the post-secondary level in the field of Human Kinetics, Kinesiology, Physical Education, Fitness and Health Promotion or Exercise Science from an accredited post-secondary institution. We recommend that these courses include the topics covered in the six core competency areas for a CSEP-CPT.
Click here for a complete list of requirements and more information on the certification process.
IMPORTANT: Only the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) provides access to its approved study and examination preparation materials. CSEP does not have an agreement with any third party to provide practice exams or study material, for example on the website Exam Prep Hero. Valid and appropriate exam preparation materials can be found on the CSEP website and via the CSEP candidate password-protected area on csep.ca.
