Professional roles in sports have grown into a variety of specialized technology, data, and research-focused areas. The NSCA Sport Science Program was created to support this growth. Specific goals include:

1. Develop a pathway of qualification for existing coaches and practitioners to progress into career-advancing sport science roles.
2. Establish role and scope of practice defining resources, including education and support materials, for existing and aspiring sport scientists in North America and throughout the world.

The CSCS certification recognizes an individual’s foundational knowledge and ability to safely and effectively perform duties as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (or Coach). To earn the CSCS, you must pass a two-section exam that assesses both the scientific foundations and practical/applied areas of strength and conditioning. The scientific foundations section tests your understanding of exercise science, sport psychology, and nutrition. The practical/applied section tests your knowledge of exercise techniques, program design, testing and evaluation, and strength and conditioning program organization/administration.

The CPSS certification focuses on a collaborative and holistic approach towards performance and injury prevention and recognizes an individual’s foundational knowledge to appropriately apply scientific research processes as a Performance and Sport Scientist. To earn the CPSS, you must pass a one-section exam that demonstrates an advanced level of knowledge across multiple athletic performance disciplines. The CPSS exam expands on the foundational scientific underpinnings of sport and requires knowledge of how to implement scientific research methods and monitoring technology in athletic performance environments.

The recommended education resource is the NSCA’s Essentials of Sport Science Textbook. Additional study materials including a study guide (coming soon), case study examples, and practice exam questions are in development.

Initial registration for the CPSS exam begins Fall 2021, with first credentials being awarded in early 2022.

Like other NSCA certification exams, the CPSS exam is offered at approved Pearson VUE test centers around the world. You may browse the complete list of approved Pearson VUE test Centers here. Also, go to the How to Register page for more information about testing procedures, accommodations, and availability.

The CPSS exam is offered in the English language at approved Pearson VUE test centers around the world.

Candidates must meet both the formal education AND specific applied experience requirements to sit for the CPSS exam. A current CPR/AED certification is also required.

Qualifying professional roles that meet the applied experience requirements include the following:

• Strength and Conditioning (Personal training and work with general population DOES NOT qualify)
• Sport/Tactical Athlete Rehabilitation (e.g., Sports Medicine)
• Sport/Tactical Athlete Nutrition
• Performance/Sport-related Data Analytics
• Performance/Sport-related Testing/Monitoring/Technology (e.g., Film and Video Analysis)
• Applied Physiology/Biomechanics Laboratory
• Performance Psychology/Mental Skills Coaching

Qualifying full-time experience REQUIRES being actively involved in a formal sport science related professional role on a comprehensive full-time basis beyond the internship level. Qualifying full-time professional roles include work with sport or tactical athletes, sports teams, and in applicable research, analytics, and technology-related disciplines.

For further clarity, qualifying full-time experiences are also defined as requiring a normal workload of 40 hours per week during preparatory, training, research, development, and/or developmental periods, making up the majority of the calendar year — a minimum of 1,560 hours annually. This minimum is determined to represent 40 hours per week for 10 month (39-week) academic/seasonal-type full-time positions, and over 30 hours per week for 12-month (52-week) full-time positions.

Qualifying full-time practitioner experiences must be verified by human resources, a manager/supervisor, or by professional references (for self-employed individuals), and involve all of the following processes: 

• Daily hands-on work and interaction with team, individual sport, and/or tactical athletes. Personal training or work with general population does not qualify.
• Conducting regular athlete performance testing/monitoring
• Data collection, processing, analysis, and reporting
• Use and direct application of performance technology
  
  

For more information, download the CPSS Full-Time Applied Experience Form.

Eligible degrees include all of the following academic majors and major fields: Allied Health / Biomedical / Bioengineering Sciences, Athletic Training, Biomechanics, Chiropractic, Exercise Science, Health Education and Promotion, Human Performance and Movement Studies, Kinesiology, Medicine, Nutrition, Physical Education Teaching and Coaching, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Sport and Performance Analytics, Strength and Conditioning, and Therapeutic Exercise and Fitness (OR) Underpinning Major Fields: Biology, Bioenergetics, Chemistry (General, Molecular, Biochemistry), Neuroscience, Physiology, Physics, and Psychology

Individuals with Other Data-Related and Technology Degrees may qualify for the CPSS exam, but are required to complete Academic Course Verification to meet the minimum academic requirements – These fields specifically include Analytics (Business or General), Computer Science (or Programming), Data Science, Engineering (other than biomedical / bioengineering), Mathematics, Statistics, and Technology or Software Development.

Additionally, individuals with Other Sports Management or Leadership Disciplines Degrees may qualify for the CPSS exam, but are required to complete Academic Course Verification to meet the minimum academic requirements – These fields specifically include Business Administration (e.g., MBA), Education Administration and Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction, Sports Business or Management, Fitness Management, and Sports Law.

Candidates in the United States and Canada must submit an official transcript showing attainment of at least a bachelor's degree (BS/BA), or higher, granted by an accredited institution (refer to Certification Handbook for a list of acceptable accredited institutions)

Candidates outside of the United States and Canada may submit a photocopy of the final transcript, degree diploma or certificate that was received at the completion of the degree program, showing attainment of at least a bachelor's degree as defined by the United States educational system. 

For individuals with degrees in non-related and non-qualifying fields, academic transcript documentation must include sport science related coursework – a minimum of ONE course from at least FOUR of the following performance and sport science related content areas:

1. Biomechanics and Human Movement – e.g., Biomechanics, Functional Anatomy, Human Motor Learning and Control, or Lifespan Motor Development.
2. Physiological Disciplines – e.g., Anatomy and Physiology, Endocrinology, Exercise Physiology, or Neuroscience.
3. Coaching, Psychology, and Sociocultural Elements of Sport – e.g., Athlete Counseling, Child and Adolescent Psychology, Coaching Theory, Philosophy, Principles, or Ethics of Sport Coaching, Philosophical or Sociological Perspectives of Sport, Psychology of the College-Aged Adult, or Performance Psychology.
4. Nutrition – e.g., General Nutrition and Health, Nutritional Biochemistry, or Sport and Performance Nutrition.
5. Strength and Conditioning and Training Theory – e.g., Exercise Programming, Exercise Testing and Prescription, Graded Exercise Testing, Program Design for Injury Prevention, or Strength and Conditioning.
6. Research Methods and Statistics – e.g., Research Methods, Research Design, Understanding Sport or Performance Research, Data Collection and Analysis, Statistics, Quantitative or Qualitative Research, Data Science and Analytics, or Sport Technology.

A $25 application fee is charged during the initial CPSS applicant review process, which will be applied to the exam registration fees when applications are approved according to the Eligibility Requirements.

If based on your documented education and professional experience, you are not approved for the CPSS exam, only your application fee is forfeited. You may then re-apply once you fulfill the CPSS exam requirements. There is an appeals process for candidates who are denied. Appeals are submitted by sending a written letter to the NSCA by mail, or as an attached PDF by email (exams@nsca.com). Appeal letters must state the exact reason for the appeal being warranted, and any additional formal documentation to support the appeal.

The NSCA strongly believes in adhering to certification industry best practices and established accreditation standards. The CSCS, NSCA-CPT, and TSAC-F certification programs have earned accreditation by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The NSCA is adhering to the standards and requirements for the CPSS program to become NCCA Accredited upon becoming eligible.

Image and test bank resources for are currently in development with Human Kinetics for professors who adopt the NSCA’s Essentials of Sport Science textbook. To learn more, request a review/desk copy from HK.

All NSCA certifications run on a 3-year calendar cycle. Refer to the NSCA Certification Handbook for recertification policies, procedures, and CEU categories. To plan ahead for the current 2021-2023 recertification cycle, you may use the following Recertification Planning Tool to help spread the cost of CEUs over the three-year period.