The first of its kind in Canada, the CSEP High Performance Specialization™ focuses on performance and occupational testing and training for qualified exercise professionals working with elite athletes, emergency services personnel, armed forces, and high performance clients.

Whether seeking to officially challenge the CSEP High Performance Specialization™ exam, or to simply enhance professional knowledge for working in High Performance settings, CSEP has the evidence-informed content. Modules covering a breadth of knowledge to prepare QEPs for working with high performance clients have been developed and are ready for purchase and download. Each module includes case studies, links to journal articles and other study resources to broaden your professional knowledge.

CSEP High Performance Specialization™ Guide

The CSEP High Performance Specialization™ Guide is available to members to learn more about the core competencies, exam information and practice questions.

Eligibility

By pursuing this cutting-edge specialization, a QEP’s advanced knowledge of high performance and occupational testing and training will be confirmed by the leading organization in exercise science and personal training in Canada.

CSEP Professional Members:

All CSEP Professional Members in good standing are eligible to pursue the CSEP High Performance Specialization™. To earn the CSEP High Performance Specialization™, CSEP Professional Members must successfully challenge a 60-question Theory Exam. There are no additional prerequisites.

Apply now to challenge the CSEP High Performance Theory Exam:

  1. Schedule an exam date and time with PearsonVUE
  2. Review the Core Competencies and prepare for the exam with the CSEP recommended resources
  3. Challenge the Theory Exam (requires a score of 70% or higher)

Application Fee: $125.00 CDN (this includes the theory exam fee) – retest fees may apply

All other Qualified Exercise Professionals:

Individuals who are not currently certified with CSEP may be eligible to obtain the CSEP High Performance Specialization™

Prerequisites: All individuals who are not CSEP certified must meet the following pre-requisites

  • Completion of at least 60 credits (2-years) of study at a post-secondary institution in the field of exercise science, health and fitness, Physiotherapy, Athletic Therapy, Chiropractic, Kinesiology, etc.
  • Proof of insurance coverage to practice as a personal trainer, Kinesiologist, exercise physiologist, etc. (see FAQs for minimum required coverage)

To earn the CSEP High Performance Specialization™, Qualified Exercise Professionals not certified with CSEP must successfully:

  • Complete the CSEP High Performance Specialization™ Modules. (see module details below)
  • Challenge a 60-question Theory Exam

Application Fee: CSEP Members Fee: $125, Non-Members: $200

Registering as a CSEP High Performance Specialist™:

Upon successful completion of the modules and theory exam, there is a minimal registration fee of $65* to complete the process.

*Learning module subscription fees, prices are subject to change.

Specialization Benefits

CSEP Certified Member Benefits: See Enhanced Scope of Practice information below.

Benefits for Non-Certified Individuals:

  • Preferred pricing on Online Learning, Conference Registration
  • Discounted access to APMN and JCEP journals (online)
  • Receive monthly newsletter – Gold Standard News
  • Receive monthly newsletter – Communique
  • Profile on CSEP Member Directory
  • Access to Member only content on the CSEP portal online
  • and more…

The Exam

All CSEP High Performance Specialization™ candidates must challenge a Theory Exam which will demonstrate they have the appropriate theoretical knowledge in all five core competency areas. The Theory Exam is a 60-question, 120-minute, multiple choice exam. It is hosted by independent, third-party testing centres across Canada, as well as online

The required passing score is 70%.

The exam content is broken down over the five core competencies, which are:

  • Sport and occupational biomechanics, physiology, and performance psychology
  • Sport and occupational performance assessment
  • Sport and occupational performance exercise design and prescription
  • Energy intake for sport and occupational performance
  • Professional and ethical practice

*Price as of December 2023. Price subject to change and all applicable taxes.

Enhance Scope of Practice for CSEP Certified Members

As a CSEP High Performance Specialist™, CSEP has confirmed a members’ advanced knowledge of high performance testing and training.

Upon successfully completing the exam for the CSEP High Performance Specialization™ the member’s current Scope of Practice is enhanced:

For the CSEP Certified Personal Trainer® (CSEP-CPT):

  • Previous restrictions on maximal aerobic and anaerobic assessment protocols or exercise program development are lifted.
  • Previous restrictions on muscular strength assessment protocols or program design that exceed 90% of 1-RM are lifted.

For the CSEP Clinical Exercise Physiologist™ (CSEP-CEP):

A CSEP-CEP, has the pre-existing advanced knowledge in the field of exercise physiology and are not restrict you from safely working with high performance or occupational clients. However, as a CSEP High Performance Specialist™, a CSEP-CEP has demonstrated their knowledge of high performance testing and training strategies at a more advanced level.

*All qualified exercise professionals (QEP) are expected to recognize their own area of expertise and refer clients who fall outside that expertise to another QEP, a physician, or other appropriate health care provider.

Preparation Modules

Individuals who are not CSEP Certified must successfully complete all CSEP High Performance Specialization™ Modules. There are 6 modules covering the following topics:

  1. Physiology and Training Prescriptions for the Components of Fitness
  2. Performance Assessment
  3. Planning and Management Training
  4. Sport Nutrition
  5. Performance Biomechanics
  6. Sport Psychology

Length: 23 hours plus recommended additional resources

CSEP PDCs: 43.5

Learning Module Subscription Fees (Six months): CSEP Members: $250 | Non-Members: $395

*Purchasing the Course Pack will also provide you with registration in the live events for the Sport Nutrition and Performance Biomechanics modules.

Modules can be purchased individually as well. Note all non-CSEP certified individuals interested in challenging the CSEP High Performance Specialization™ exam MUST show proof of successful completion of ALL modules.

*Learning module subscription fees are subject to change

CSEP HPS Preparation Module Content

Module 1: Physiology and Training Prescription for the Components of Fitness
  • Section 1: Endurance
  • Section 2: Strength
  • Section 3: Speed and Agility
  • Section 4: Stature
  • Section 5: Flexibility

Total run time: 6 hours plus recommended additional resources

CSEP PDCs: 10

Learning Module Subscription Fees (for six-month subscription): Members: $90.00 | Non-Members: $175.00*

*Pricing subject to change

Module 2: Performance Assessment
  • Section 1: Properties of Measurement
  • Section 2: Considerations for Testing
  • Section 3: Methods of Assessment

Total run time: 2 hours, 10 min plus recommended additional resources

CSEP PDCs: 5

Learning Module Subscription Fees (for six-month subscription): Members: $50.00 | Non-Members: $90.00*

*Pricing subject to change

Module 3 : Planning and Management Training
  • Section 1: Periodization
  • Section 2: Principles of Training
  • Section 3: Training for Speed and Agility
  • Section 4: Special Topics
  • Case Study 1: Hockey
  • Case Study 2: Military

Total run time: 2 hours plus recommended additional resources

CSEP PDCs: 5

Learning Module Subscription Fees (for six-month subscription): Members: $50.00 | Non-Members: $90.00*

*Pricing subject to change

Module 4: Sport Nutrition
  • Section 1: Energy Requirements of the High-Performance Athlete
  • Section 2: Macronutrient Requirements
  • Section 3: Micronutrients
  • Section 4: Evidence-Based Supplements
  • Section 5: Special Populations

Total running time: 4 hours

CSEP PDCs: 7.5

Learning Module Subscription Fees (for six-month subscription): Members: $65.00 | Non-Members: $130.00*

*Pricing subject to change

Module 5: Performance Biomechanics
  • Section 1: Biomechanics: Theoretical Foundation
  • Section 2: Forces acting on the human body
  • Section 3: Describing Movement
  • Section 4: Human Performance: Energetics, Optimization and Conservative Quantities
  • Section 5: Analytics: Dimensionality Reduction and Feature Extraction
  • Section 6: Investing in the Future: Towards Prediction, Prescription, and Prevention

Total running time: 3 hours

CSEP PDCs: 7.5

Learning Module Subscription Fees (for six-month subscription): Members: $65.00 | Non-Members: $130.00*

*Pricing subject to change

Module 6: Sport Psychology
  • Section 1: Motivation
  • Section 2: Confidence
  • Section 3: Resilience
  • Section 4: Self-Awareness
  • Section 5: Stress Management
  • Section 6: Emotion & Arousal
  • Section 7: Athlete-Trainer/Coach Relationship
  • Section 8: Leadership
  • Section 9: Teamwork
  • Section 10: Communication

Total running time: 3 hours

CSEP PDCs: 7.5

Learning Module Subscription Fees (for six-month membership): Members: $65.00 | Non-Members: $130.00*

*Pricing subject to change

Frequently Asked Questions

CSEP-CEPs who became certified by December 28, 2019 were automatically granted the CSEP High Performance Specialization™.

After January 2, 2020, new CSEP-CEPs have the opportunity to earn the CSEP High Performance Specialization™ by successfully completing the 60-question multiple-choice theory exam.**

All CSEP-CPTs have the opportunity to earn the CSEP High Performance Specialization™ by successfully completing the 60-question multiple-choice theory exam.**

Once a CSEP-CPT has obtained the CSEP High Performance Specialization™ designation, they may utilize assessment protocols or design exercise programs that require maximal aerobic or anaerobic effort. They may also assess muscular strength using maximal 1-RM assessment protocols or design programs based on resistance loads exceeding 90% of the predicted 1-RM.

No. The CSEP High Performance Specialization™ is obtained by successfully completing the 60-question, multiple-choice theory exam. There is no practical exam for the CSEP High Performance Specialization™.

CSEP High Performance Specialization™ renews annually with your CSEP Certified membership. There are no additional fees or professional development required to renew the Specialization. CSEP members’ comprehensive CSEP Professional and General Liability insurance remains unchanged.

By March 31 each year, individuals who are not CSEP Certified will need to complete the following to maintain their CSEP High Performance Specialization™:

  • Pay the $119.00* renewal fee
  • Provide proof of continuing insurance coverage to practice

*prices subject to change

CSEP is not providing professional liability insurance coverage for non-CSEP certified individuals to practice. Individuals are responsible for obtaining their own insurance coverage and must provide proof of this coverage at the time of application and each year upon renewal. The insurance must provide the following minimal levels of coverage:

  • Professional Liability
    • $4,000,000 per claim
    • $6,000,000 per year
  • Legal Expense Coverage
    • $100,000 per claim
    • $100,000 per year
  • Criminal Defense Reimbursement
    • $100,000 per claim
    • $100,000 per year
  • Commercial General Liability
    • $5,000,000 per occurrence
    • $5,000,000 per year


*Prices and timeline subject to change.

**The CSEP-CPT and CSEP-CEP Scope of Practice will have a special denotation for those with the CSEP High Performance Specialization™ designation allowing for expanded Scope of Practice.