Sports Medicine Certificates - How to Get Them and How They'll Affect Your Career Path

How to Earn a Sports Medicine Certificate

There are several independent organizations that offer certificates that are related to sports medicine. For example, the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) offers a certified personal trainer (CPT) designation. Earning such a certificate will enable personal fitness trainers to better serve their clients and help others reach their fitness goals. While studying to earn one's certificate, trainers will learn about designing goal-specific programs that are designed to help clients reach their own health goals in a safe and effective way. The NASM certification course also trains trainers to assess clients effectively and determine where their fitness level currently is and what areas they need to improve upon. They will also learn about specific types of exercises: creating and developing these exercises to meet a client's needs. Earning this certificate means mastering all of these elements, and candidates must be at least 18 years old and have both emergency cardiac care and automated external defibrillator certification before sitting for the CPT exam.

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) offers other types of sports medicine certificates. Students can choose from eight different options: Certified group exercise instructor, certified personal trainer, certified health fitness specialist, certified clinical exercise specialist, registered clinical exercise physiologist, certified cancer exercise trainer, certified inclusive fitness trainer, or certified physical activity in public health specialist. Each specialization comes with its own distinct set of requirements, but all applicants must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma. Some distinctions, such as the registered clinical exercise physiologist, require a master’s degree or Ph.D. All certificates require an exam, and pass rates range from 32 percent to 72 percent, depending on the type of certification.

What You Can Do With a Sports Medicine Certificate

Earning a sports medicine certificate of some kind will nearly always improve your career prospects, no matter what level you are at. Personal trainers and other types of exercise specialists who earn ACSM certifications will find that it is easier to recruit clients, and they will be more competitive on the job market when applying for training jobs with local gyms and other training organizations. Those who are working at higher levels –  such as physiology and physical therapy – will also find that adding a credential to their resume may make it easier to attract clients.