To Specialize or Not to Specialize? That Is the Certification Question

As consumers, many individuals seeking a service of any kind will likely want to contract a highly skilled and specialized professional to provide the highest quality service or product possible. Why should this be any different for the health-fitness and exercise science profession? The concept of specialization of services also applies to exercise professionals who are working with specific populations. The aims of this column are to provide the reader with the purpose and use of specialty credentials, to discuss different types of specialty certifications offered through ACSM, and to provide a description of eligibility, maintenance, and future directions of specialization credentials. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GENERAL CERTIFICATION AND SPECIALTY CERTIFICATION? Specialty certification is common in many allied health professions and is described by the American Nursing Credentialing Center as the additional knowledge, skills, and expertise in a specific area of the professional scope above that of general practice (1). By holding a specialty credential in the exercise-related fields, an exercise professional can better define their brand, which will improve marketability to a specific population of clients seeking an expert to address their condition or disease-related needs. Specialty certifications demonstrate a professional commitment to expanding one's knowledge in an area of interest and are important components of career growth. HOW CAN YOU BECOME SPECIALIZED AS A HEALTH–FITNESS PROFESSIONAL OR EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST? Within ACSM, specialty credentials afford the exercise professional an opportunity to work with a range of client needs depending on the desired certification of interest (2). These specializations include working with clients who have different diseases, disabilities, and/or fitness levels. There also are specialization credentials available in the field of public health to advocate for physical activity in the public sector. To sit for or enroll in any of the ACSM specialty certification exams or courses, all individuals must have a current NCAA-accredited certification and meet the credential eligibility criteria listed in the Table 1. To review specialty exam or course competencies and content, exam preparation resources, pricing, and scheduling details, please visit ACSM's web site at https://www.acsm.org/get-stay-certified/get-certified/specialization.TABLE: ACSM Specialty Credentials Eligibility CriteriaWHAT SPECIALTY CERTIFICATES/CERTIFICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH ACSM? There are six specialty credentials available through ACSM with varying requirements for certification maintenance and renewal. Below is a brief description of each credential and the specific population they are intended to target. ACSM Exercise is Medicine® (EIM) Credential The EIM credential affords the exercise professional an opportunity to network with medical professionals in a combined effort to provide care for clients and patients of varied health needs. Exercise professionals who hold the EIM credential indicate to the client or patient that they are qualified to administer safe exercise programming to meet the specialized needs of the client based on their health status. EIM credentialing can increase the likelihood of a physician to refer a person to the exercise professional, and it can potentially differentiate that individual from other exercise professionals who do not have the EIM credential. EIM currently has three levels that require different levels of education, experience, and base certification for the exercise professional to best match the needs of the client. EIM levels 1 and 2 indicate that the exercise professional is qualified to work with clients who are healthy or have controlled medical conditions and are cleared by their physician, respectively. Level 3-credentialed exercise professionals are able to work with those individuals who are in need of supervised exercise programming or clinical monitoring during exercise. EIM levels 1 and 2 require the completion of an online course and exam, unless exemption is obtained. Pending the exercise professional's highest earned degree or level of certification, they may be eligible for exam/online course exemption (see the Table). ACSM anticipates changes to the requirements and structure of the EIM credential that will include a new and improved online course by the end of 2020. ACSM/ACS-Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer Through a collaboration with the American Cancer Society (ACS), ACSM has developed a specialty certification for the exercise professional to work with people living with cancer. This credential indicates that the exercise professional has a robust understanding of cancer and can develop a comprehensive exercise program for cancer survivors who are cleared by their physician to exercise. Specialization in this area will require the Cancer Exercise Trainer to conduct exercise and fitness assessments and design exercise programs specific to the client's cancer diagnosis, clinical treatment, remission, and/or behavior modification goals. This certification is obtained by passing a standardized examination. ACSM/NCHPAD-Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer ACSM and the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) developed the Inclusive Fitness Trainer credential. This certification will allow for the exercise professional to work with individuals who are living with cognitive, sensory, and/or physical disabilities and are in need of exercise management to reduce or prevent health-related risk factors. The Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer will be responsible for demonstrating an understanding of the American Disability Act policy and will be proficient in administering exercise assessment and programming that is adapted to the specific disability associated with their client, in an effort to improve accessibility of exercise for this population. Common work settings for the Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer include, but are not limited to, commercial fitness, community, and recreation centers. Clients will range in severity of disabilities and will be classified as healthy or medically cleared, pending health status. This credential requires completion of a standardized examination. ACSM/NPAS-Certified Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist The Certified Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist credential indicates that the exercise professional is vested in advocating for physical activity in public health at the regional and national level. This includes legislation, policymaking, community program development, and education. The credential was created through collaborative efforts between the National Physical Activity Society (NPAS) and ACSM in an effort to develop highly qualified professionals who can make impactful changes with the implementation of physical activity options that are safe and accessible to the larger community, nationwide. Successful completion of a standardized certification exam is required for this credential. Autism Exercise Specialist Certificate Exercise can have multiple benefits for persons living with autism, including increased fitness, cognitive focus, and social skills (3). There is a demand for qualified exercise professionals who are able to work with children and adults with autism. Through partnership with Exercise Connection (3), ACSM has developed a certificate course that will prepare a variety of professionals as Autism Exercise Specialists. This certificate is open to exercise professionals, health, physical, adapted physical, special education teachers, and allied health professionals (e.g., physical, occupational, and recreational therapists). The certificate requires successful completion of five separate webinars, followed by the completion of a 6-hour in-person workshop. For more information on this certificate, please visit https://www.autismexercisespecialist.com/. Wellcoaches®-Certified Health and Wellness Coach Wellcoaches®, ACSM, and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine work collaboratively to provide education for professionals interested in becoming a Certified Wellcoach®. This credential offers two certification options, the Certified Health and Wellness Coach, intended for the health professional (focus for this column) and the Certified Personal Coach for the non-health professional. The Certified Health and Wellness Coach is considered an expert in behavior modification and facilitation of mindset to help clients and patients manage their lifestyle and meet health and wellness goals. To become a Certified Health and Wellness Coach, the exercise professional must pass three modules provided through Wellcoaches® School of Coaching (4), then sit for a certification exam. All Certified Health and Wellness Coaches can further their credentialing by becoming a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach through the International Consortium for Health and Wellness Coaching. For more information on this credential, please visit https://wellcoachesschool.com/. WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR ACSM SPECIALTY CERTIFICATION? According to ACSM's National Director of Certification Francis Neric, MS, MBA, there will be an evolution to specialization certifications in the near future, resulting in a transition from a standardized testing format to experiential learning, similar to the Autism Exercise Specialist Certificate. This would afford the already certified exercise professional to gain hands-on expertise in an area of interest by obtaining a certificate through a series of learning modules and workshops potentially hosted by an institute of higher education. Regardless of what the future holds for ACSM specialization certifications, it is encouraged that all exercise professionals continue their journey of lifelong learning and consider the option of specialization as they plan their career trajectory. What specialization certification is the best option for you? Feel free to contact Dr. Gallo at[email protected]if you have any questions pertaining to this column.

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