ACSM Health Fitness Specialist Certification

Scope of Practice

Health Fitness Specialists perform a variety of health and risk assessments and use this information to design prescriptive exercise programs based on client needs and fitness goals. Like a personal trainer, an HFS uses behavioral strategies and motivational techniques to encourage clients to adopt healthy and active lifestyles. An HFS has additional skills and knowledge that allows her to work with higher-risk clients who have certain controlled medical conditions or diseases. An HFS might work in a hospital or university, as a corporate health provider or as a trainer in a studio, gym or community center.

Qualifications

The HFS certification is an advanced specialization and requires a bachelor's degree or higher in exercise science, exercise physiology or kinesiology. This degree must cover key health and fitness information, including human anatomy and physiology, biomechanics and exercise program design. The degree program should also cover care for special populations, such as older adults, children, pregnant women and certain medically controlled injuries and diseases, such as diabetes or a heart condition. HFS candidates must also hold current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator usage.

Certification Exam

Candidates obtain HFS certification by sitting for -- and passing -- the ACSM HFS exam. The ACSM provides three ways to review for the exam: printed materials, webinars and in-person workshops. Candidates can purchase review materials and sign up for the exam via the ACSM Certification website. At the time of publication, the cost of the HFS exam is $279 for non-ACSM members and $219 for members. Students are eligible for the exam if they are in the last term of their degree program.

Recertification Requirements

HFS certification is an ongoing process: certificate holders must keep learning and stay current to maintain their HFS status. The ACSM requires an HFS to obtain at least 60 continuing education credits every three years. An HFS must also maintain current CPR/AED certification and pay a recertification fee -- $45 at the time of publication -- every third year.