ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP) Practice Exam

ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP) Practice Exam

The ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP) credential is a nationally recognized certification for healthcare professionals specializing in using exercise as a therapeutic intervention for individuals with chronic diseases or medical conditions.

Who should pursue this certification?

This certification is ideal for:

• Exercise scientists and physiologists seeking to specialize in clinical settings.
• Physical therapists, occupational therapists, and athletic trainers who want to expand their practice into clinical exercise interventions.
• Registered nurses pursuing advanced roles in patient rehabilitation and chronic disease management.
• Other healthcare professionals interested in incorporating exercise into their patient care plans.

Roles and Responsibilities:

ACSM-CEPs can be found in various healthcare settings, including:

• Hospitals and clinics: Working with patients recovering from surgeries, injuries, or managing chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
• Cardiac rehabilitation centers: Designing and supervising exercise programs for individuals recovering from heart attacks or other cardiac events.
• Pulmonary rehabilitation centers: Helping patients with respiratory conditions improve their exercise tolerance and quality of life.
• Other healthcare facilities: Providing exercise guidance and support to individuals with various chronic conditions.

Certification Requirements:

To be eligible for the ACSM-CEP exam, you must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a bachelor's degree in exercise science, exercise physiology, or a related field or a master's degree in clinical exercise physiology.
• Complete a minimum of 1,200 hours (for a bachelor's degree) or 600 hours (for a master's degree) of supervised clinical experience under the guidance of a qualified professional.
• Pass the ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist exam.

Exam Details:

• Format: Computer-based, multiple-choice questions
• Number of Questions: 270
• Duration: 4 hours
• Passing Score: 
• Delivery: Testing center or online proctored
  

Course Outline

1. Domain I: Patient Assessment

• Assess a patient’s medical record for information related to their visit.
• Interview patient regarding medical history for their visit and reconcile medications.
• Obtain and assess resting biometric data (e.g., height, weight, ECG, arterial oxygen saturation, blood glucose, body composition, spirometry).
• Determine a sufficient level of monitoring/supervision based on a preparticipation health screening.
• Assess patient goals, needs and objectives based on health and exercise history, motivation level and physical activity readiness.

2. Domain II: Exercise Testing

• Select, administer and interpret submaximal aerobic exercise tests (e.g., treadmill, step test, 6-minute walk).
• Select, administer and interpret tests to assess musculoskeletal fitness, mobility and balance.
• Select, prepare and administer maximal, symptom-limited exercise tests.
• Evaluate and report results from a symptom-limited maximal exercise test to medical providers and in the medical record as required.
• Identify relative and absolute contraindications for test termination and report to medical personnel as needed.

3. Domain III: Exercise Prescription

• Develop individualized exercise prescription to support patient needs and goals for various exercise environments (e.g., home/community based, facility based, virtual).
• Communicate the exercise prescription, including the use of exercise equipment, and the importance of promptly reporting any adverse reactions or symptoms.
• Explain and confirm patient understanding of exercise intensity and measures to assess exercise intensity (e.g., target heart rate, RPE, signs/symptoms, talk test).
• Evaluate and modify the exercise prescription based on the patient’s compliance, signs/symptoms and physiologic response to the exercise program, as needed.

4. Domain IV: Exercise Training and Leadership

• Discuss and explain exercise training plan, patient and clinician expectations and goals. 
• Identify, adapt and instruct in cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, coordination and agility exercise modes.
• As indicated, provide patient monitoring (e.g., pulse oximetry, biometric data) and supervision during exercise.
• Evaluate the patient’s contraindications to exercise training and associated risk/benefit and modify the exercise/activity program accordingly. 
• Evaluate, document and report patient’s clinical status and response to exercise training in the medical records. 
• Discuss clinical status and response to exercise training with patients and adapt and/or modify the exercise program, as indicated.

5. Domain V: Education and Behavior Change

• Continually evaluate patients using observation, interaction and industry-accepted tools, to identify those who may benefit from counseling or other mental health services using industry-accepted screening tools.
• Assess patient’s understanding of their disease and/or disability and conduct education to teach the role of lifestyle in the prevention, management, and treatment of the disease.
• Apply health behavior change techniques (e.g., Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy [CBT], Health Coaching) based upon assessment of readiness to change according to Transtheoretical Model (TTM).
• Promote adherence to healthy behaviors through a patient centered approach 

6. Domain VI: Legal and Professional Responsibilities

• Evaluate the exercise environment and perform regular inspections of any emergency equipment and practice emergency procedures (e.g., crash cart, activation of emergency procedures) per industry and regulatory standards and facility guidelines.
• Follow industry-accepted scopes of practice, ethical, legal (e.g., data privacy, informed consent), and business standards.