ACSM Certified Health Fitness Specialist^SM

Make a difference for those who struggle with medically controlled diseases. Become an ACSM Certified Health Fitness Specialist (HFS), and master the necessary skills to pursue a career devoted to helping others in a university, corporate, commercial, hospital or community setting.

What will I be able to do as an ACSM Certified Health Fitness Specialist?

The ACSM Certified Health Fitness Specialist^SM (HFS) is a health fitness professional with a minimum of a bachelor's degree in exercise science. The HFS performs pre-exercise health risk assessments, conducts physical fitness assessments, interprets results, develops exercise prescriptions, and applies behavioral and motivational strategies to apparently healthy individuals and individuals with medically controlled diseases and health conditions to support clients in adopting and maintaining healthy lifestyle behaviors. The academic preparation of the HFS also includes fitness management, administration, and supervision. The HFS is typically employed or self-employed in commercial, community, studio, corporate, university, and hospital settings.

What qualifications are necessary?

All of the following requirements must be met:

A minimum of a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology or Kinesiology from a regionally accredited college or university. (Candidates are eligible for the HFS certification exam if in the last term or semester of the degree program.)
Current Adult CPR/AED (with hands-on practical skills component)

What study materials are available to help me prepare?

For candidates taking their exam AFTER July 1, 2013, the following materials are recommended:

ACSM's Resources for the Health Fitness Specialist, 1st edition ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 9th edition ACSM's Certification Review, 4th edition

ACSM HFS Study Kit: Order all three books together

Study materials are available through our publisher, LWW, by calling
800-486-5643 or by visiting the LWW e-Store.

Are workshops available?

The ACSM Certified Health Fitness Specialist Two-Day Workshop is a blend of classroom lecture and hands-on practicum designed to help prepare you for the certification exam. The workshop includes a high level review of exercise physiology, risk stratification, exercise programming, fitness assessments and techniques, a review of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) of the Certified Health Fitness Specialist, and a forum for the acquisition of new knowledge and skills.

2-day HFS workshop fee: $250

Click here to learn more about ACSM HFS Workshops

Are webinars available?

To meet your busy lifestyle, we now offer HFS webinars; a virtual classroom from your personal computer. For your convenience, you can sign up for a single session or the full six week series.

Six-session webinar series fee: $240

Individual webinar session fee: $45

Click here to learn more about ACSM HFS Webinars

How much does the exam cost?

ACSM Member Candidates	$219
ACSM Non-Member Candidates (Join ACSM Now)	$279
Re-test	$150

How do I register to take the exam?

All ACSM certification examinations are administered by our testing partner, PearsonVUE. PearsonVUE provides over 5,000 computer-based testing centers throughout the world.

Click here to register for any ACSM exam with Pearson VUE
ACSM Members, be sure to get your member discount voucher before you register for the exam by emailing the ACSM Certification Department at certification@acsm.org. *Be sure to confirm which exam you plan to take*

If you are not already an ACSM member, click here to join now!

Once you have received your member discount voucher, visit Pearson VUE to schedule a time to take your exam, or call 888-883-2276.

What other information do I need to be aware of?

The ACSM Candidate Handbook has information about, but not limited to, the following:

Exam administration
Code of Ethics
Non-discrimination policy
Disability policy
Complaint policy
Appeals policy

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions

What is required to maintain my certification?

To maintain your ACSM HFS certification, you will need to accumulate at least 60 CECs/CEUs within a 3-year cycle, maintain CPR certification, and pay a $45 recertification fee.

Click here for more information about recertification.

ACSM Certification Resource Guide

Sign-up here!

ACSM Certified Health Fitness SpecialistSM