National Certifications
Students graduating under the exercise science concentration are required to take a national certification exam prior to graduation.
While you are not required to pass the test to graduate, we are hopeful that everyone will take the time to prepare and pass the test. If you will be completing degree requirements, contact your academic advisor to determine the appropriate deadline for test completion.
Currently, the two department-approved exam certifications are:
- American College of Sports Medicine’s Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM EP-C)
- National Strength and Conditioning Association’s Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA CSCS)
It is recommended that you take the time to study for whichever exam you plan on taking. The success of students is related to preparation for the exam and not GPA or success in any one particular class. These certifications are gold standards within the field of Exercise Science and you are making a large investment for the exam to not be taken seriously.
ACSM EP-C Certification
The following resources are recommended to help you prepare for the ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist exam:
- ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 9th edition (used in HPEX 441)
- ACSM’s Resources for the Exercise Physiologist (used in HPEX 480)
- PrepU for ACSM’s Certified Exercise Physiologist Exam (used in HPEX 480)
- ACSM’s Resource Manual for Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 7th edition
The EP-C exam is taken at a Pearson VUE testing center. You can also contact Pearson VUE directly to register by calling (888) 883-2276 or visiting the ACSM Exam page. There is no voucher to reduce the exam cost, but you do get a reduced rate if you are a student member of the ACSM. The cost of the test is $239 if you are a member and $299 for non-members.
| Test Center | Distance (miles) | City |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond Alternative School | 0.7 | Richmond |
| GIT Services | 1.5 | Richmond |
| New Horizons Computer Learning Center | 5.2 | Richmond |
| Community College Workforce Alliance | 6.0 | Richmond |
| Henrico County Adult Education Center | 7.0 | Highland Springs |
NSCA CSCS Certification
The following resources are recommended to help you prepare for the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Exam:
- Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning, 4th edition
- CSCS Exam preparation clinics (for more information, contact Jeff Diritto at jhdiritto@vcu.edu)
The CSCS exam is taken at a Pearson VUE testing center. You can contact Pearson VUE directly to register by calling (800) 505-7641 or visiting their NSCA Exam page. There is no voucher to reduce the exam cost but you do get a reduced rate if you are a student member of the NSCA. The CSCS exam costs $340 for NSCA members and $475 for non-members.
| Test Center | Distance (miles) | City |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond Alternative School | 0.7 | Richmond |
| GIT Services | 1.5 | Richmond |
| New Horizons Computer Learning Center | 5.2 | Richmond |
| Pearson Professional Centers | 5.7 | Richmond |
| Community College Workforce Alliance | 6.0 | Richmond |
National Certification for Community Health Education Students
The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing oversees a voluntary professional certification program that establishes a national standard for individual health education practitioners. The certification process is based on responsibilities and competencies that have been verified by a job practice analysis. It differs from state and local certifications and registries in that the requirements do not vary from one locale to another.
The Certified Health Education Specialist Exam is a competency-based test that measures the possession, application and interpretation of knowledge related to a comprehensive set of competencies and sub-competencies defining the role of an entry-level health educator.
The exam is administered twice a year, in April and October. For more information on the CHES exam or eligibility requirements, please visit the NCHEC website or contact the exam coordinator at (888) 624-3248, ext. 12.