What is an exercise specialist/exercise physiologist?
An exercise specialist/exercise physiologist demonstrates competence in graded exercise testing, exercise prescription, exercise leadership, emergency procedures, patient counseling, and health education for individuals with cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic diseases.

An exercise specialist/exercise physiologist should have:

• A minimum of 4 months or 600 hours of practical experience in a clinical setting performing exercise testing, exercise description, and exercise leadership for patients with cardiac, pulmonary, and/or metabolic diseases;
  A bachelor's degree in an allied health field or equivalent;
• Demonstrated competence in the knowledge, skills, and abilities, required of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) accredited exercise specialist or the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology (CSEP) certified exercise physiologist;
• Extensive knowledge of functional anatomy, exercise physiology, pathophysiology, electrocardiography, graded exercise testing, exercise prescription, and emergency procedures; and
  Current certification in CPR.