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Certified Special Population Specialist® — Requirements & Free Practice

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Certified Special Population Specialist®

NSCA certification for fitness professionals serving clients with chronic or temporary health conditions.

Licensing authority: National Strength and Conditioning Association · Application information

Initial by examination
Certified Special Population Specialist® (CSPS®) exam
Additional Requirements
["Current CPR/AED certification is required for certification; a candidate without it may register and sit but must submit valid documentation within one year of the exam date.","At least 250 hours of related practical experience, documented on the CSPS Practical Experience Form and consistent with the CSPS scope of practice.","All eligibility documentation must be received within one year of the exam date or exam results become invalid.","Accepted CPR/AED certification must include a hands-on skills performance assessment."]
Approved Degree Fields
["athletic training","biology","biomechanics","chiropractic","community health","exercise physiology","exercise science","health science","human movement science","kinesiology","medicine (MD, DO)","nursing","nutrition","physical education","physical therapy","sport science"]
Evidence Interpretation
The existing license/certification alternatives are applicant qualifications, not requirements to newly sit CSCS or other examinations. The dedicated current prerequisites and certification page expressly include registered dietitians, while the handbook summary lists other health licenses without an express exclusion of dietitians. The detailed CPR/AED sitting exception qualifies the brief summary; certification still requires CPR/AED.
Experience Interpretation
Qualifying work includes education on pathophysiology and health status, health appraisals, fitness evaluations, SMART goals, program design, motivational/coaching techniques and outcome monitoring. Parallel hours for comorbidities are permitted; hours may be audited. Experience in every domain is strongly recommended, not mandatory.
Qualification Alternatives
["Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution in Exercise Science or a related field, including physical therapy or chiropractic medicine.","Current license as a physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, athletic trainer, or registered dietitian.","Current NSCA certification (CSCS, NSCA-CPT, TSAC-F).","NCCA-accredited personal trainer certification."]
Registration
Individual registration followed by Pearson VUE authorization and scheduling within 120 days of registration.

Certified Special Population Specialist® (CSPS®) exam

Provider
Pearson VUE
Format
Multiple-choice selected-response examination
Exam questions
Total questions: 110; Scored questions: 100; Unscored questions: 10; The total includes the scored and unscored questions.
Time limit
150 minutes (2.5 hours)
Passing score
Scaled score of 70 or higher
Examination outline
  • Basic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition, Disorder, or Disease (40%)
    • Cardiovascular: Individuals with
    • Pulmonary: Individuals with
    • Metabolic: Individuals with
    • Immunological and Hematological: Individuals with
    • Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic: Individuals with
    • Neuromuscular: Individuals with
    • Post Rehabilitation: Individuals with
    • Individuals with Cancer
    • Female-Specific Conditions
    • Individuals with Behavioral/Psychological Disorders
    • Older Adults
    • Children and Adolescents
  • Client Consultation (19%)
    • Determine the Fitness Professional’s Role in the Wellness Continuum
    • Perform Health Appraisal
    • Fitness Evaluation
  • Program Planning (31%)
    • Develop SMART Goals
    • Program Design
    • Apply Motivational/Coaching Techniques
    • Monitor Client Outcomes
    • Recognize Need for Referral to Healthcare Professional
  • Safety, Emergency Procedures, and Legal Issues (10%)
    • Comply with Scope of Practice Requirements
    • Practice Safety Procedures
    • Follow Emergency Procedures
    • Recognize Professional, Legal, and Ethical Responsibilities
    • Comply with HIPAA Regulations
Examination sources