CSEP Certified Personal Trainer® - Certification Process
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CSEP-CPT accreditation is available to individuals with a minimum of two years of formal post-secondary training in physical activity/exercise prescription focusing on health-related physical fitness. (A CSEP certification is the only accreditation in Canada that requires formal post-secondary training in exercise science.)
Stage One: Academic Requirements
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Candidates must be able to provide formal documentation of having completed a minimum of 2 years of College Diploma or University Degree coursework that addresses specifically the core competencies of the CSEP-CPT (as verified by transcripts from an accredited college or university). Note: These diploma or degree courses will be delivered in a college or university program in human kinetics, kinesiology, physical education, health sciences and/or exercise sciences. These courses must be recognized by the CSEP. Confirmation of recognized courses can be attained if required, through a provincial/regional H&FP office and/or the CSEP office.
Stage Two: Specific Course Work Requirements
Candidates are required to take a series of introductory courses that meet each of the following core competency areas:
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I - Basic Anatomy and Physiology
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II - Basic Psychological Characteristics and Motivational Strategies
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III - Basic Theory and Methods of Health-Related Physical Fitness
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IV - Physical Activity/Exercise Prescription and Design
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V - Safety and Emergency Procedures
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VII - Documentation, Administration and Professionalism
Stage Three: Approval of Workshop Application
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Approval of the Workshop Application by the CSEP Atlantic Business Office (Fitness NB). We will advise you of the success of your application within 10-14 days of the beginning of Module 1. If CSEP Atlantic office is unclear of your qualifications and how they match the prerequisites, your application will be forwarded to the CSEP National office for a final decision. If the CSEP National office judges your present qualifications insufficient, suggestions will be provided as to the work required to address the areas in which you have failed to demonstrate training or preparation. You may also choose to audit the course (i.e., take the course for personal interest and benefit).
Stage Four: CPT Examination (Written and Practical)
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Full attendance at the CPT Workshop.
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Successful completion of the practical exam (pass or fail).
Candidates will be assessed on CPAFLA
assessment protocols, counselling, and behaviour change in the same manner as
the CSEP CFC practical exam. However, candidates will also be assessed on
their ability to demonstrate and modify exercise and monitor a
cardiovascular, resistance training or flexibility session. Overall, the
objective of the new CSEP CPT practical examination is to evaluate the
candidate's ability to:
Conduct the appropriate pre-screening
measures.
Administer the CPAFLA assessment protocols in the areas of body composition, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal fitness.
Conduct client monitoring in the areas of cardiovascular, resistance training and flexibility.
Demonstrate and modify exercises.
Counsel appropriately based on the client's stage of change.
The examination will consist of three stations with each station being a minimum of 40 minutes in duration for the course/curriculum candidates and longer for challenge candidates.
The three stations include:
1. Pre-screening and body composition.
2. Assessment (Aerobic and Musculoskeletal protocols).
3. Cardiovascular, resistance training and flexibility monitoring, and
counselling.
This examination will be conducted by a CSEP-CPT Instructor/Examiner and assessed on a Pass/Fail basis. (ie. acceptable/unacceptable practices). If the candidate fails after their first attempt then they may make a second attempt at the practical examination. There will be an administrative charged to the candidate for re-writes.
In The Event of a Failure
If a candidate fails the written Exam A then the candidate must complete Exam
B. If a candidate fails the practical they
must complete the full practical on their second
attempt. An appropriate period of time for either component should elapse to
allow for further study.
If a candidate fails both the written exam A and B and/or the practical exam twice, they must attend and complete a CSEP CPT workshop. Upon completion of this workshop the candidate would receive two attempts at the examination (Exam A and then Exam B and two tries of the practical exam.
For those candidates that did not attend a CPT workshop, but challenged the exams and failed written exam A and B and/or the practical exam twice, they must attend a full CPT workshop. Upon course completion, they would receive two attempts at the examinations.
Stage Five: CPR and First Aid
- Candidates are required to hold a current/valid CPR Level "A" (expiry within one year) and to have successfully completed a course in standard first-aid.
Stage Six: Registration
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Payment of annual CSEP Atlantic Professional Association Fee. (Fees include: registration with the Atlantic CSEP H&FP, registration with the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) and Liability Insurance premium. This step must be completed within 6 months of completing the Practical Examination.
Stage Seven: Personal Training Documentation
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As a certified CPT, the candidate must submit a total of 25 hours of documented experience providing fitness training with clients within one year of successful completion of the written and practical exam. Candidates must also provide at least one letter of support from a guarantor such as a university professor/college instructor, an employer/supervisor, or a health care professional that verifies this experience.
The certifications of the CSEP Atlantic are nationally recognized and transferable across Canada.
