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group exercise instructor

An ACSM Certified Group Exercise Instructor® (ACSM-GEI) has earned a high school diploma and works in a group exercise setting with apparently healthy people and those with health challenges who can still exercise independently.

personal trainer

An ACSM Certified Personal Trainer® (ACSM-CPT) has earned a high school diploma or GED and works with apparently healthy clients and those with stable health challenges who have been cleared to exercise independently.

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exercise physiologist

An ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist® (ACSM-EP) has a bachelor’s degree or higher in exercise science and works with healthy clients and those with medically controlled conditions to establish safe, healthy and effective exercise and lifestyle behaviors.

clinical exercise physiologist

An ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist® (ACSM-CEP) holds a bachelor’s degree in exercise science with 1,200 hours of hands-on experience or a master’s degree in clinical exercise physiology with 600 hours of clinical experience. ACSM-CEPs use prescribed exercise and basic health behavior interventions to assist clients with chronic diseases or conditions.

Learn more about the exams:

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ACSM Certified Professionals

Christi Swain Jensen, ACSM-CEP

ACSM is a great jumping board for so many different careers. It’s not just personal training- the difference you can make in your community can go so much further than your local gym!
I earned my Certified Personal Trainer credential during my junior year of undergrad and chose ACSM because of its strong integration into my university's exercise science program. ACSM’s textbooks, guidelines, and practical skills were seamlessly woven into my curriculum, making it a natural choice. Since then, I’ve stayed with ACSM and continue to value the foundation it provided for my career.