Clinical Exercise Physiology Qualification Application Pathways
The International Confederation of Sport and Exercise Science Practice (ICSESP) is pleased to promote resources to support graduate practitioners seeking international recognition in clinical exercise physiology for people who meet the required standards. Professional registration demonstrates a person’s training, competence and experience as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist. This initiative strengthens career mobility, promotes alignment with international professional standards and supports the global advancement of clinical exercise physiology practice.
World-leading organisations provide such recognition through their international clinical exercise physiology application processes. Whilst this does not represent full international portability it can allow graduate professionals from outside host countries to follow the requirements for practising as a clinical exercise physiologist. Each of the badges and green boxes below should be clicked on to provide clear guidance on how professionals can pursue accreditation, certification, or registration in each of five leading national associations.
For any further queries these should be directed to the particular association that the query applies to.
Australia
Requirements
Individuals who completed clinical exercise physiology study outside Australia must apply via the international AEP pathway.
There are 4 steps:
- Obtain Exercise Scientist Accreditation (AES) via the non-accredited course pathway.
- International Desktop Review:
- Show at least 4 years of full-time equivalent (FTE) study at bachelor degree level or higher, specifically focused on clinical exercise physiology.
- Provide supervised practical experience of 360 hours in clinical exercise physiology
- Pass Theory Exam
- Pass Practical Exam
Canada
Requirements
Education: At minimum a bachelor’s degree (120 credits) in kinesiology, exercise science, or related field, plus coursework or equivalent experience in eight core competency areas.
Practical Experience: 100 mandatory + 150 recommended hours in clinical or applied settings.
Application: Submit transcripts, proof of practical hours, and a letter of recommendation via the CSEP website; reviewed within 2–3 weeks once complete.
Examinations: Written knowledge exam and practical exam (OSCE) assessing screening, testing, interpretation, and program design for chronic conditions.
Maintenance: Annual renewal, liability insurance, and continuing education every two years.
New Zealand
Requirements
To meet the equivalence requirements you would be expected to be resident in New Zealand
The applicant should understand and be familiar with Tikanga, Kawa, culture and/or Practice in terms of Te-tiriti o Waitangi and its provisions and principles.
The application should be completed through the Clinical Exercise Physiology NZ page.
Applicants who have certification/accreditation/registration as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist from their home country, seeking registration within NZ will need to show that they meet the same requirements as domestic applicants.
Eligibility
- Meet the CEPNZ Competency Standards
- Minimum of a postgraduate diploma in Clinical Exercise Physiology
- 500 hours of documented clinical experience
- Current certificate in Basic Life Support + AED training
All applicants are required to submit the following
- A biosketch that describes how you meet the expected clinical competencies (e.g. a description of tertiary study, practical experience, work experience, continuing professional development aligned to the individual competencies)
- An official transcript of your postgraduate qualification
- A log book that describes the type of patient, activity, and duration signed by a clinical supervisor
- Current certificate in Basic Life Support + AED training
United Kingdon
Requirements
To meet the equivalence requirements of the Academy for Healthcare Science you would be expected to be familiar with the UK healthcare system and be resident and working in the UK since the jurisdiction of the AHCS is within the UK only.
Eligibility to register with the AHCS should be confirmed via the Eligibility checker on the Clinical Exercise Physiology UK page and applications should be made directly on the AHCS website.
It is an advantage to have studied and successfully completed an accredited MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology course that includes a clinical placement since the registration requires the equivalent of a suitable BSc, a masters degree in the area of clinical exercise physiology and the equivalent of two years of clinical experience.
Whilst it is an advantage to be accredited/certified/registered as a clinical exercise physiologist from your home country, the application will require you to detail the organisations you have gained your experience along with the clinical hours you have worked with the variety of health conditions and your approaches to assessing health status/functional capacity, designing & delivering evidence-based exercise interventions and behaviour change strategies in people with the varied and complex health conditions
Your application should be accompanied with the required application fee and will be reviewed within 6-12 weeks
United States of America
Current Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in exercise science, exercise physiology, or equivalent1 and 1,200 hours of hands-on clinical experience
OR
Master’s degree in clinical exercise physiology1 or equivalent and 600 hours of hands-on clinical experience
AND
Basic Life Support Provider or CPR for the Professional Rescuer certification
Effective August 2027
Baccalaureate degree from an AHCS, CAAHEP, or ESSA accredited program Exercise Science (or equivalent)2,3 and 1,200 hours of hands-on clinical experience.
OR
Master’s degree in from an AHCS, CAAHEP, or ESSA accredited Clinical Exercise Physiology program (or equivalent)2,3 and 600 hours of hands-on clinical experience.
AND
Basic Life Support Provider or CPR for the Professional Rescuer certification
Registration
US-based individuals who meet the ACSM-CEP certification requirements—including successful completion of the certification examination, maintenance of the credential in good standing, and attestation to ACSM’s professional ethics—are automatically listed in the United States Registry of Exercise Professionals (USREPS). Those seeking inclusion in an international registry must request a letter of portability from USREPS and fulfill any additional requirements set forth by the respective international register.
1Candidates may need map their course work to the clinical exercise testing and prescription, advanced exercise physiology, and clinical pathophysiology. See Appendix A.
2Updated ACSM-EP and ACSM-CEP Certifications Requirements and Accreditation