Continue to expand your knowledge and maintain your certification with Gold Standard Professional Development!
Every CSEP Certified Personal Trainer® (CSEP-CPT) and CSEP Clinical Exercise Physiologist™ (CSEP-CEP) is required to continue their professional development and earn Professional Development Credits (PDCs) to maintain their certification. From academic courses to conferences and online webinars, there are a range of opportunities to enhance your knowledge and expertise in the field.
What Are PDCs?
PDCs ensure that CSEP professional members stay current with the latest evidence-informed research and maintain their ability to apply this knowledge in practice. Professional members are encouraged to select a variety of high-quality professional development opportunities in areas related to health and performance fitness for both apparently healthy and clinical populations. Business-related courses are also considered professional development, as many professional members own their own businesses. Improving skills in areas such as business management, marketing, financial management and client engagement can enhance services, boost success rates, and contribute to advancing the industry as a whole.
CSEP provides numerous professional development opportunities throughout the year, including in-person events, online courses, and self-paced learning. For courses and activities not delivered by CSEP, use the CSEP Professional Development Chart below to identify the category and number of credits you can earn for each activity.
The CSEP PDC Tracker
To make managing your PDCs simple, take advantage of the CSEP PDC Tracker. This tool allows you to:
- Log and track your professional development activities.
- Submit your PDCs for review by the CSEP Member Services Team.
- Stay organized and ensure you meet your requirements.
How It Works:
- Log into your CSEP Store account and navigate to the Professional Development Credits page.
- Input your PDC activities and upload supporting documents such as certificates or proof of completion.
- Submit your PDCs for review. The Member Services Team will review your submission and either approve it or request additional information.
It is strongly advised that members retain all certificates and proof of completion in case they are selected for the annual PDC audit.
Highlighted PDC Opportunities
- CSEP Podcast: Earn 1.5 PDCs per episode by listening to episodes available on major podcast platforms.
- CSEP APNM Journal Quiz: Complete quizzes based on APNM journal articles to earn 2 PDCs per successful quiz. Find these on your Professional Development Credits page in the CSEP Store.
- CSEP Webinars: Join engaging webinars hosted by experts in exercise physiology and related fields. Earn up to 3 PDCs per webinar while expanding your knowledge on a wide range of topics.
- CSEP PD Days: Participate in Professional Development Days to earn 15 PDCs per day. These events are a great way to connect with peers and enhance your skills through interactive workshops and presentations.
- CSEP Conference: Register and attend the CSEP Annual Conference virtually or in person and to earn up to 30 PDCs.
Many opportunities are free or included as part of your membership benefits, making it easy to stay on track. Keep an eye out for updates to these opportunities and more in your inbox, our monthly newsletter, and on our website.
Audit Process
Each year, a random selection of professional members undergoes the PDC audit to ensure compliance with certification requirements. Members selected for the audit must:
- Ensure their PDC activities are logged in the tracker.
- Submit any additional documents if requested.
Failure to meet PDC requirements or provide supporting documentation may result in membership lapses. The audit process is designed to be straightforward, and the Member Services Team is available to assist.
The audit alternates annually between CSEP-CPTs and CSEP-CEPs. For details on how your specific membership category is affected, please refer to the information provided below:
PDC Accreditation for your Event:
Promote your event directly to CSEP Certified members by submitting an Accreditation request. Once approved, our CSEP-PDC brand guidelines and downloadable files will provide you with the necessary tools to promote your event to an even wider audience.
Support and Assistance
If you have any questions about earning or submitting PDCs, or if you need help using the tracker, please contact the CSEP Member Services Team at info@csep.ca. We’re here to support you every step of the way!
Conferences & Seminars
Conferences & Seminars
Category | Details | Description | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
C-1 | Multi‐day CSEP National Annual Conference or CSEP Professional Development Days | Conference must include multiple speakers with graduate level education or training and topics must be based on peer reviewed evidence, research, or best practice. | 15 credits per day conference attendance, no maximum |
C-2 | Multi-day Annual Conference by a CSEP regional affiliate.* | Conference must include multiple speakers with graduate level education or training and topics must be based on peer reviewed evidence, research, or best practice. | 12.5 credits per day conference attendance, no maximum |
C-3 | Multi-day Annual Conference by a gold standard national organization such as ESSA, ECSS, CEPA or ACSM | Conference must include multiple speakers with graduate level education or training and topics must be based on peer reviewed evidence, research, or best practice. | 12.5 credits per day conference attendance, no maximum |
C-4 | Multi-day, evidence based conference not associated with any of the organizations listed above. | Conference must include multiple speakers with graduate level education or training and topics must be based on peer reviewed evidence, research, or best practice. | 7.5 credits per day conference attendance, no maximum |
Workshops, Online and Distance Learning
Workshops, Online and Distance Learning
Category | Details | Description | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
W-1 | Workshops offered by active CSEP-CEPs and CSEP-CPTs | Content must be specific to physical activity/exercise science, fitness, and associated lifestyle applications for: clinical populations, high performance, health promotion/general population. | 2 credits for every hour of attendance to a maximum of 20 credits per two year cycle |
W-2 | Workshops offered by ACSM-RCEPs, ACSM-CESs, or NSCA-CSCSs | Content must be specific to physical activity/exercise science, fitness, and associated lifestyle applications for: clinical populations, high performance, health promotion/general population. | 1 credit for every hour of attendance to a maximum of 20 credits per two year cycle |
W-3 | Workshops offered by a physician, nurse navigator, physical therapist, occupational therapist or other health professional requiring a graduate level of education | Content may or may not be specific to physical activity/exercise science, fitness, and associated lifestyle. If not, then there must be a visible connection between the course material and CSEP mandates. | 1 credits for every hour of attendance to a maximum of 15 credits per two year cycle |
W-4 | Fitness / exercise instructor training courses | Becoming a group exercise leader/instructor, e.g. cycle or Pilates, etc. -‐ skills that would assist the CSEP-‐CEP or CSEP-‐CPT in the delivery of their fitness services. | 7.5 credits per certification, credential, skill, or course completed to a maximum of 20 credits |
W-5 | Entrepreneurial and Business Skills Workshops/Courses | Enhancing knowledge and abilities in running a business, developing business skills, and entrepreneurship. This includes workshops and courses that focus on business management, marketing, financial planning, leadership, and other skills essential for owning and operating a successful business. | 7.5 credits per certification, credential, skill, or course completed, to a maximum of 15 credits |
W-6 | Seminars / workshops / webinars offered by local, private, club or commercial fitness consulting and/or fitness certification agencies | Offered by other fitness or health practitioners not associated with CSEP, ACSM or NSCA | 1 credit for every hour of presenting, teaching, or attendance to a maximum of 17.5 credits in a two year cycle |
W-7 | Online or distance courses offered by CSEP. Includes CSEP Advanced Module Series webinars and Online Learning. | Full attendance and completion of online modules directed at clinical or high performance populations designed and offered by CSEP. *Where applicable, a passing grade may be required. | 2 credits per hour - no maximum. |
W-8 | Listening to the CSEP Podcast | Proof of having listened to the Podcast by entering the code word hidden in the episode | 1.5 credits per proven episode, no maximum |
Academic and Aligned Courses
Academic and Aligned Courses
Category | Details | Description | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
A-1 | Post certification pursuits - university degree, academic courses or college diploma courses | Delivered by an accredited college or university -‐ the content of these courses must be specific to physical activity/exercise science, fitness and associated lifestyle applications | 10 credits per course per semester - no maximum |
A-2 | Post certification pursuits -non-diploma or non-degree courses/continuing educational opportunities delivered by a university or other recognized postsecondary institution | Usually delivered through distance education, continuing education - the content must be specific to physical activity/exercise science and associated lifestyle fitness applications | 7.5 credits for taking a course - no maximum |
A-3 | Post certification pursuits - online or distance courses put on by organizations or companies | Usually delivered through distance education or continuing education by publishing companies such as Human Kinetics - the content must be specific to physical activity/exercise science and associated lifestyle fitness applications | 5 credits for taking a course to a maximum of 15 credits |
A-4 | Obtaining a CSEP Specialization | Completion of CSEP specialization requirements including examination. | 12 credits per CSEP specialization obtained in a two year cycle. No maximum. |
Publications and Grants
Publications and Grants
Category | Details | Description | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
P-1 | Peer-reviewed publications (research journal articles, chapters in books, position statements, etc.) that are reviewed by experts (Ph.D.) in the related area | Authoring or co-authoring a peer reviewed journal article (APNM, Med Sci Sports Exerc, etc.), a chapter in a book, or a book - the content must be specific to physical activity/exercise science and associated lifestyle fitness applications | 15 credits per article, book chapter or book in a two year cycle |
P-2 | Peer-reviewed research grants | Physical activity/exercise science research (NSERC, CIHR, CFI, CAHR, CFLRI, etc | 10 credits for submitting a research grant to a maximum of one grant per cycle/5 credits for being awarded the research grant to a maximum of one grant per cycle |
P-3 | Non peer-reviewed commercial fitness publications | Newsletters, magazines, trade publications, books - the content must be specific to physical activity/exercise science and associated lifestyle fitness applications | 5 credits per article, book chapter or book in a two year cycle - no maximum |
P-4 | Proof of passing the test questions related to featured articles that appear in scientific professional journals for fitness practitioners | Usually delivered by recognized professional fitness associations that have both research and practitioner branches (CSEP, ACSM, NSCA, etc. | 1 credits per featured article to a maximum of 12 articles in a two year cycle |
Teaching / Assisting
Teaching / Assisting
Category | Details | Description | Credits | |
---|---|---|---|---|
T-1 | Assisting or Teaching at a workshop or seminar offered by active CSEP-CEPs and CSEP‐CPTs | The content of these courses must be specific to physical activity/exercise science, fitness and associated lifestyle applications | 2 credits for every hour of teaching to a maximum of 20 credits per two year cycle | |
T-2 | Teaching a CSEP‐CEP workshop/module/course | Teaching | 10 credits per course to a maximum of 10 credits in a two year cycle | |
T-3 | Assisting at a CSEP‐CEP workshop/module/course | Assisting | 5 credits per course to a maximum of 10 credits in a two year cycle | |
T-4 | Teaching a CSEP‐CPT workshop/module/course | Teaching | 10 credits per course to a maximum of 10 credits in a two year cycle | |
T-5 | Assisting at a CSEP‐CPT workshop/module/course | Assisting | 5 credits per course to a maximum of 10 credits in a two year cycle | |
T-6 | Teaching or assisting in a seminar or workshop led by a non‐CSEP member or fitness certification agency | Offered by other fitness or allied health practitioners not associated with CSEP, ACSM, or NSCA. | 0.5 credits for every hour of presenting, teaching, or attendance to a maximum of 5 credits in a two year cycle | |
T-7 | Teaching or assisting in a seminar or workshop associated with ACSM‐RCEPs or CESs or NSCA‐CSCS | Offered by other fitness professionals aligned with ACSM, or NSCA | 1 credit for every hour of presenting, teaching, or attendance to a maximum of 10 credits in a two year cycle | |
T-8 | Appearing as a guest on the CSEP Podcast | Providing relevant information to further educating CSEP members and other listeners | 2 credits per podcast episode (equivalent to approximately 1 hour of recording time) | |
T-9 | Supervision of Student Placement | Provide guidance & supervision for post-secondary students studying in a kinesiology, exercise science or fitness program. Student placement must be offered through a post-secondary institution & be specific to physical activity/ exercise science, fitness and associated lifestyle application. | 3 credits per semester to a maximum of 9 credits in a 2 year cycle |
CSEP Committee Work
CSEP Committee Work
Category | Details | Description | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
V-1 | Chair of a CSEP Committee | 20 credits per term served | |
V-2 | CSEP Committee Member | 10 credits per term served | |
V-3 | CSEP Sub-Committee Member | 5 credits per term served | |
V-4 | CSEP Task Force | 20 credits per term served |
*As of April 1, 2017
It is the responsibility of CSEP-CPT / CSEP-CEP members to collect and track their own professional development activities and credits.