CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialization™

The CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialization™ provides Qualified Exercise Professionals with the background knowledge and practical considerations necessary for working with individuals during the perinatal period.

The evidence-informed content of the Specialization will support Qualified Exercise Professionals to actively encourage a physically active lifestyle in their clients prior to conception, throughout pregnancy, and into the postpartum period. Recognizing that exercise prescription in the postpartum period is distinct from both pregnancy and the general non-pregnant population, the CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialization™ online course and comprehensive manual will guide the Qualified Exercise Professional through tailored recommendations specific to this population.

Eligibility – CSEP Professional Members

All CSEP Professional Members in good standing are eligible to pursue the CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialization™. To earn the CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialization™, CSEP Professional Members must successfully challenge a 60-question Theory Exam.

How to become a CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialist™:

  1. Apply to challenge the exam ($125 fee* includes exam)
  2. Review the Core Competencies and prepare for the exam with the CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialization™ Recommended Resources.
  3. Challenge the theory exam (requires a score of 70% or higher)
  4. Register as a CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialist™ (no fee)

*Retest fees may apply

Eligibility – All other Qualified Exercise Professionals

Individuals who are not certified with CSEP may be eligible to obtain the CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise 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 Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialization™, Qualified Exercise Professionals not certified with CSEP must successfully:

  • Complete the online modules (these can be purchased during application or prior to applying)
  • Challenge a 60-question theory exam

How to become a CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialist™:

  1. Apply to challenge the exam and register for the online modules. ($200 application fee* includes exam; with the option to bundle the modules with the application for a discounted rate).
  2. Review Core Competencies, complete the online modules, and prepare for the exams with the additional CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialization™ Recommended Resources.
  3. Challenge the theory exam (requires a score of 70% or higher).
  4. Register as a CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialist™ for the minimal registration fee of $65 to complete the process.

The application fee includes the exam sitting fee (first attempt only). At the end of the application process, you will also receive a discount code to receive 15% off the price of the CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialization Online Learning course pack.

*includes first exam attempt, re-test fees may apply

Specialization Benefits

CSEP Certified Member Benefits:

  • List CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialization™ in your member profile and have it searchable in the member database for clients to find you

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 Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialization™ candidates must challenge the Theory Exam, which will demonstrate they have the appropriate knowledge in the core competency areas. The Theory Exam is a 60-question, 120-minute, multiple choice exam. It is hosted by PearsonVUE – an independent, third-party testing company with centres across Canada, as well as online.

The required passing score is 70%.

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

  • Physiological Adaptions to Pregnancy
  • Fertility, Preconception Care, and Prenatal Care
  • Common Pregnancy Complications
  • Myths, Guidelines, and Exercise Pre-participation
  • Exercise Types & Progression, Labour & Delivery and the Postpartum Period
  • Promotion of Active Living Across the Pre & Postnatal Periods

A full breakdown of the Core Competency areas of the CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialization can be found here.

CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialization™ Recommended Resources

Manual – Exercise During the Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

This manual will you give the knowledge required to be confident while working with pregnant individuals and will help prepare you to challenge the CSEP Pre and Postnatal Exercise Specialization™. Topics covered in the manual include:

  • Maternal Physiological Adaptations During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period
  • Pregnancy Complications
  • Components of a Healthy Pregnancy
  • Common Pregnancy Complications
  • Myths and Misconceptions About Exercise
  • Trimester-By-Trimester Exercise Progression
  • and more…

Members pricing: 

Print Copy: $75 | Digital Download: $60 | Combo: $85

Non-Members pricing:

Print Copy: $95 | Digital Download: $80 | Combo: $115

Preparation Modules

Individuals who are not CSEP certified must successfully complete all CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialization™ Modules. There are 4 modules covering the following topics:

  1. Physiological Adaptions
  2. Exercise During Pregnancy – Guidelines, Myths, and Misconceptions
  3. Exercise During Pregnancy – Trimester by Trimester
  4. Labour, Delivery, and the Postpartum Period

Length: approximately 17 hours

CSEP PDCs: 18

Learning Module Subscription Fees (Six Months): CSEP Members: $125.00 | Non-members: $250.00

Modules can be purchased individually as well. Note: all non-CSEP certified individuals interested in challenging the CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialization™ exam MUST show proof of successful completion of ALL modules, before they will be able to challenge the theory exam.

Breakdown of Preparation Modules Content

The online learning module cover of the CSEP Pre and Postnatal Exercise Specialization Preparation Module 1
Module 1: Physiological Adaptations
  • Section 1: Development of the Fetus
  • Section 2: Maternal Adaptations to Pregnancy
  • Section 3: How Pregnancy Affects Future Health
  • Section 4: Developmental Origins of Health and Disease

Total run time: 2 hours

CSEP PDCs: 5

Learning Module Subscription Fees (for six-month subscription): Members: $40.00 | Non-Members: $80.00*

*Pricing subject to change

The online learning module cover of the CSEP Pre and Postnatal Exercise Specialization Preparation Module 2
Module 2: Exercise in Pregnancy – Guidelines, Myths, and Misconceptions
  • Section 1: Myths and Misconceptions
  • Section 2: History of Exercise Guidelines and New Guideline Development
  • Section 3: Contraindications to Exercise
  • Section 4: Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy

Total run time: 1.5 hours

CSEP PDCs: 4

Learning Module Subscription Fees (for six-month subscription): Members: $40.00 | Non-Members: $80.00*

*Pricing subject to change

The online learning module cover of the CSEP Pre and Postnatal Exercise Specialization Preparation Module 3
Module 3: Exercise During Pregnancy – Trimester by Trimester
  • Section 1: 2019 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity throughout Pregnancy
  • Section 2: Exercise Adaptations
  • Section 3: Pregnant Athletes, Resistance Training, and Types of Exercise
  • Section 4: Trimester by Trimester Modifications for Exercise

Total run time: 1.5 hours

CSEP PDCs: 4

Learning Module Subscription Fees (for six-month subscription): Members: $40.00 | Non-Members: $80.00*

*Pricing subject to change

The online learning module cover of the CSEP Pre and Postnatal Exercise Specialization Preparation Module 4
Module 4: Labour, Delivery, and the Postpartum Period
  • Section 1: Sleep and Sedentary Time During Pregnancy
  • Section 2: Labour and Delivery
  • Section 3: Physiological Changes in the Postpartum Period
  • Section 4: Future Chronic Disease Risks and Role of Physical Activity
  • Section 5: Behaviour Change and the Promotion of Active Living in the Prenatal and Postpartum Periods

Total running time: 2 hours

CSEP PDCs: 5

Learning Module Subscription Fees (for six-month subscription): Members: $40.00 | Non-Members: $80.00*

*Pricing subject to change

2019 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity throughout Pregnancy

The 2019 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity throughout Pregnancy outlines the right amount of physical activity women should get throughout pregnancy to promote maternal, fetal, and neonatal health. Pregnant individuals should accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week over a minimum of three-days per week.

To download the guidelines and learn more about them and the additional resources supporting them visit the 2019 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity throughout Pregnancy webpage.

Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy

The Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy enables a pregnant individual to make an informed decision whether they should seek further advice from their obstetric health care provider or a qualified exercise professional before becoming or continuing to be physically active. It is designed to be a self-administered pre-screening tool to empower individuals to be responsible for their own health and wellbeing during their pregnancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Schedule an exam date and time with PearsonVUE
  2. Review the Core Competencies and prepare for the exam with the CSEP recommended resources
  3. Challenge the Theory Exam (requires a score of 70% or higher)
No. The CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialization™ is obtained by successfully completing the 60-question, multiple-choice theory exam. There is no practical exam for the CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialization™.

The CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialization™ renews annually with your CSEP certified 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.

By March 31 each year, individuals who are not CSEP certified will need to complete the following to maintain their CSEP Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialization™.

  • Pay the $119* renewal fee
  • Provide proof of continuing insurance coverage to practice

*prices subject to change

CSEP is not providing professional liability insurance coverage for non-CSEP certified individuals to practice. 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