The ACSM’s Committee on Certification and Registry Boards (CCRB) is entering the final phase of its multi-year certification update plan to strategically elevate the role of health fitness professionals in healthcare. Originally announced in November 2020, the CCRB’s initiative introduced a series of progressive changes to the eligibility requirements for the ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist® (ACSM-EP®) and Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist® (ACSM-CEP®) programs.
Effective August 15, 2027, all candidates seeking ACSM-EP or ACSM-CEP certifications will be required to graduate from a CAAHEP-accredited academic program and meet existing course and practical experience requirements. These changes were designed to align professional certification standards with professional requirements of established adjacent health occupations —including, but not limited to, registered nurses and registered dietitians.
Current and Future Education Requirements for the ACSM-EP and ACSM-CEP Programs
| Certification | Current Requirements | New Requirements (Effective Aug. 15, 2027) |
| ACSM-EP | Baccalaureate degree in exercise science or equivalent from a regionally accredited college or university. | Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, earned through a CAAHEP-accredited exercise science program. |
| ACSM-CEP (path 1) | *Baccalaureate degree in exercise science, exercise physiology, or equivalent from a regionally accredited college or university and 1,200 hours of hands-on clinical experience | *Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, earned through a CAAHEP-accredited exercise science program and 1,200 hours of hands-on clinical experience |
| ACSM-CEP (path 2) | *Master’s degree in exercise physiology or equivalent from a regionally accredited college or university and 600 hours of hands-on clinical experience | Master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, earned through a CAAHEP-accredited exercise physiology program and 600 hours of hands-on clinical experience |
* The program must include formal preparation in the following content domains: clinical exercise testing and prescription, advanced exercise physiology, and clinical exercise physiology/pathophysiology. Candidates may be required to submit course syllabi and learning objectives to verify coverage of these topics.
Exemptions and Transition Provisions
To ensure a smooth transition to the new certification standards effective August 15, 2027, the CCRB has established the following provisions:
- Programmatic Accreditation Equivalency: The ACSM Certification Board may consider programs with equivalent programmatic accreditation to CAAHEP, provided they demonstrate alignment with the core standards of accredited Exercise Science or Exercise Physiology programs.
- Alternative Eligibility
Candidates who meet all other eligibility requirements but did not attend a CAAHEP-accredited program may still qualify through an alternative pathway.- Graduates Before August 15, 2027: candidates must submit official college transcripts and course descriptions. They must demonstrate equivalence to the current ACSM-EP or ACSM-CEP requirements.
- Graduates On or After August 15, 2027: May be eligible under a temporary exemption through August 14, 2029. Candidates must submit:
- Official transcripts
- Course descriptions
- A signed attestation from their Program Director confirming alignment with current CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines
Stay Informed
As the 2027 deadline approaches, CCRB encourages all prospective candidates to review their academic and experiential qualifications. For full details, visit www.acsm.org or explore the CAAHEP exercise science and exercise physiology standards and guidelines at www.coaes.org.
