The American College of Sports Medicine’s Committee on Certification and Registry Boards Executive Council (ACSM Certification Board) has approved an amendment to the eligibility requirements for the ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist® (ACSM-EP®) and ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist® (ACSM-CEP®) certifications. The amendment expands the eligibility pathway for candidates graduating from academic programs that have formally initiated the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accreditation process, either through a formal inquiry or by submitting a Request for Accreditation Services (RAS) in Exercise Science or Exercise Physiology.
This policy change ensures students can continue progressing toward ACSM‑EP and ACSM‑CEP certification while their institutions move through the CAAHEP review process. This policy change does not change the August 15, 2027 implementation date, and students in their final semester will continue to be eligible to sit for their exam as long as all coursework and practical requirements are met.
“This update reflects the ACSM Certification Board’s commitment to aligning ACSM-EP and ACSM-CEP eligibility requirements with the expectations of adjacent health occupations,” said Lauren Korzan, MA, ACSM-EP, Chair of the ACSM Certification Board. “It also gives academic programs a clearer and more practical path as they prepare students for the workforce.”
Beginning August 15, 2027, candidates pursuing the ACSM‑EP or ACSM‑CEP certification must graduate from either a CAAHEP‑accredited Exercise Science or Exercise Physiology academic program or from a program that has submitted either a formal inquiry to CAAHEP or an Exercise Science or Exercise Physiology Request for Accreditation Services (RAS). For candidates graduating from programs in inquiry or RAS status, all existing coursework and practical experience requirements must continue to be met. The ACSM Certification Board views formal submission to CAAHEP as a substantive commitment to workforce preparation and protects students from being adversely affected during accreditation review.
“Programmatic accreditation helps bridge academic preparation and workforce expectations by ensuring students develop the competencies needed for professional success,” said Ben Thompson, PhD, FACSM, ACSM-EP, Chair of the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (CoAES). “CoAES can support programs through the entire CAAHEP accreditation process by providing practical guidance and, when requested, connecting applicants with experienced programs who can help navigate the process confidently.”
The ACSM Certification Board will reassess eligibility requirements in 2029 as accreditation activity continues to expand.
For more information about ACSM-EP and ACSM-CEP eligibility requirements, visit acsm.org/certification/programmatic-accreditation.