Certified Performance and Sport Scientist (CPSS) Eligibility Requirements

The Certified Performance and Sport Scientist (CPSS)™ is an advanced level certification. There are three routes listed to establish eligibility based upon the highest level of formal education obtained (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees) and eligible professional experience.

CPSS Candidates must:

1. Fulfill one of the following education and professional experience routes:

Doctoral Degree Route: A doctoral degree in Sport Science or a closely related field

Master’s Degree Route: A master’s degree in Sport Science or a closely related field AND twelve weeks of applied experience (480 hours)

Applied Experience Options:

• • • A significant scientific research experience derived from sport or tactical settings, including thesis, peer-reviewed publication, honors project, or academic research projects
    • A significant applied practitioner experience in a closely related field, including internships, fellowships, graduate assistantships, or full-time professional roles
    • A combination of the above academic or professional based research experience AND applied practitioner experience

Bachelor’s Degree Route: Bachelor’s degree AND three years of full-time experience

Degree Options:

• • • A bachelor’s degree in Sport Science or a closely related field
    • A bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field, but with documentation of formal coursework in specific areas underlying Sport Science practice including Biomechanics, Physiology, Psychology, Nutrition, Strength and Conditioning, Research Methods, and Statistics

Qualifying Full-Time Experience:

• • • 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.

2. Have a current CPR/AED certification (refer to Certification Handbook for acceptable CPR/AED certifications)