The ACSM Committee on Certification and Registry Boards (CCRB) Continuing Professional Education Subcommittee (CPE) oversees the Education Provider Program. The purpose of the program is to ensure certified professionals remain competent throughout their working career and provide professional development opportunities for ACSM certified professionals and members. ACSM recognizes that quality education is available outside of ACSM and wants that education to support the career development of its professionals.
ACSM education providers are entities that can offer continuing education credits (CECs) for ACSM pre-approved educational offerings for a one-year period. A separate application for each program is required.
General Rules & Guidelines
• To be eligible for education approval, activities must directly relate to the scope of ACSM certification(s). Detailed content outlines for the certification and a summary rubric of acceptable content can be found [here- insert link to ECOs and Rubric/Acceptable Content].
• ACSM reserves the right1 to deny applications for any reason at any time. ACSM will not approve education that isn’t founded on evidence-based scientific research. The following will NOT be approved:
- Programs that promote individuals (e.g., businesses or certifications) or products (e.g., fitness equipment) regardless of the educational content. There must be educational content in the program that will provide continuing education and not appear to be self-promotional or commercially biased in nature.
- Programs focusing on workouts or workout instruction only
- Programs that require attendees to only pay a fee as part of the program or award a certification for attendees who complete the coursework
- Programs (by virtue of content) that are largely duplicative of ACSM-sponsored workshops
- Programs that conflict in content, timing and geographic location with sponsored ACSM programs (e.g., annual meeting, regional chapter meetings, ACSM Team Physician Course)
• ACSM reserves the right to audit any CEC program to assess compliance with the requirements.
• ACSM must receive a completed online application per program with all required supporting documents prior to the activity being reviewed.
• Presenters/course authors must possess current and relevant demonstrable experience, education and/or certification(s) on the topic they are presenting.
• CEC approval is granted for one year. Only the approved educational program is included in the one-year approval period. Renewals will be completed on the anniversary date of the program’s original application.
• The program must be so planned and executed that continuing professional education takes place. The physical and virtual setting should be conducive to education. If in a distance education format, there should be opportunity for online interaction and communication with course instructors (discussion boards, etc.). Utilizing only emails or direct messaging on a social media channel is not sufficient communication in an online setting.
• Courses must include didactic sessions or workshops, an opportunity for questions and answers, and informative handouts. If in a distance education format, students should have the opportunity to seek clarification on questions in an interactive format.
• The pre-course announcements and brochure for the program must make apparent the goals of the program, an outline of presentations and the names of speakers — including a breakdown of the times for all sessions. There must be clear assurance of the subjects that will be covered; which speakers will give the presentations; and that the attendees will be educated in sports medicine, exercise physiology/science, kinesiology, wellness, health-fitness, group exercise, facility management and/or nutrition sciences. It should also include the number of CECs available. All submitted program materials must be in English.
• The completed online application and fees must be submitted to ACSM for approval at least six weeks in advance of the desired announcement of the course offering ACSM CECs. The lead program administrator will be notified of application status approximately three to four weeks after the completed application is reviewed.
• Upon approval, the lead program administrator will receive an award letter and participant certificate of completion specifying the number of CECs that can be earned by completing the activity, along with the ACSM-assigned approved activity number. Providers are restricted from promoting ACSM education approval for their course(s) prior to receiving approval confirmation. If the course is not approved, notification will be emailed to the lead program administrator with review committee commentary.
• Providers with approved courses will be added to the education section of the ACSM website.
• The lead program administrator should describe in writing any changes from the original application and any unique programs or concerns in program implementation to the ACSM National Office immediately upon change.
• At the time of an approved event, the lead program administrator is responsible for distributing ACSM CEC certificates of completion to those desiring ACSM CECs. It is the responsibility of the attendee to submit certificates to his/her certifying body(ies) for recertification requirements. ACSM does not track CECs accrued from approved education provider programs in ACSM’s membership and certification databases.
• All application and PDF program materials must be in English and submitted electronically. Submit at least six weeks prior to the first planned meeting/course date.
Fees
• Annual Application Fee (nonrefundable): $350
• Annual Programming Fee (based on course time2): $30/contact hour
1. Exceptions may be considered [insert link for appeals process] by the CCRB Executive Committee. The intent of an exception is for well-established content that serves the programming needs of current ACSM certified professionals.
2. The formula for calculating the course time is Time in Minutes = -22.3 +0.0209*(# of words) + 2.78*(# of questions) + 15.5*(difficulty level). Difficulty level is based on a five-point Likert scale of very difficult, difficult, neutral, easy, and very easy.
Questions? Contact Us.
education@acsm.org with questions, or call: 317-637-9200.
Quantity is required.
Quantity must be a positive whole number.