Board
of Certification
for
EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGISTS
The information provided in the American
Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP) study
guide is intended to help qualified candidates prepare for the Exercise
Physiologist Certified (EPC) examination. The certification and the
ASEP Board of Certification were first conceived and formally developed
and supervised by the Board of Directors of the American Society of Exercise
Physiologists (ASEP).
The EPC examination is designed to ensure
professional competence among exercise physiology practitioners, and to
promote exercise physiology professionalism. The examination consists of
cognitive and practical competencies that are evaluated in both written
and applied components. The written examination consists of 200 multiple-choice
questions. The applied part consists of hands-on demonstration of
laboratory skills and abilities. The candidate must successfully
complete both components to receive ASEP certification. We urge those
interested in becoming EPCs to read this study guide carefully.
Our Mission
The ASEP Board of Certification is committed
to the education of college-prepared exercise physiologists who will: (1)
promote life-long optimum health, fitness, and rehabilitative policies
and procedures; (2) advance the profession of exercise physiology through
critical and reflective thinking; and (3) provide instructional, rehabilitative,
and scientific services as educators, consultants, and researchers.
Purpose
The ASEP Board of Certification, as directed
by the ASEP Board of Directors, promotes the certification of college-prepared
exercise physiology graduates to access key positions in the health, fitness,
rehabilitative, and research fields of professional work.
Goals
Upon passing the EPC examination, the
Exercise Physiologist Certified is expected to have knowledge, skills,
and ability to: (1) think critically and reflectively in the lifelong
application of exercise physiology concepts and insights to work and life;
(2) promote entrepreneurial creativity as it relates to the complexity
of life’s health and fitness issues and concerns; and (3) facilitate professional
growth in research including scientific writing and oral communication.
Board of Certification
Chair, Tommy
Boone, PhD, MPH, FASEP, EPC
Dr. Cathryn Dooly
Dr. Jeffrey Janot
Mr. Lon Kilgore
Mr. Roy Kirkcaldy
Dr. Kuei-Fu (Steve),
Lin
Dr. Thomas Rooney
Dr. Roby S. Walters
Dr. Frank Wyatt
The EPC
Examination
The ASEP Board of Certification of the
American Society of Exercise Physiologists is responsible for preparing
the EPC Examination and overseeing the grading. Candidates preparing
to take the examination can be aided by knowing its purpose and general
objectives. Information about the areas of academic knowledge, hands-on
skills, and abilities tested is also needed to prepare properly.
Successful completion of the certification examination is required to practice
as a "certified" Exercise Physiologist (EPC).
Purpose of the Certification
The EPC examination is used by the ASEP
Board of Certification to measure the academic and technical competence
of exercise physiology candidates. To understand the importance of
the examination as a prerequisite for the EPC certificate, one must recognize
the significance of the certification. It is awarded to qualified
candidates in accordance with the objectives of the American Society of
Exercise Physiologists to professionalize exercise physiology. The certificate
is a measure of academic knowledge and practical abilities and thus, ensures
the professional competence of individuals offering exercise physiology
services to the public as professional exercise physiologists.
The primary objective of the EPC examination
is to test the candidate's competence in the profession of exercise physiology.
Such professional competence includes adequate academic and technical knowledge,
the ability to apply such knowledge skillfully and with good judgment,
and an understanding of professional, ethical responsibility.
Once a candidate has successfully completed the examination, he or she
is certified as an “Exercise Physiologist” and can, therefore, be legally
and professionally referred to as an “Exercise Physiologist Certified"
(EPC).
Since the EPC certificate is granted under
specific professional assumptions enacted in the public interest, it is
issued only to properly qualified persons. The public’s need for
assurance of professional competence on the part of those receiving the
EPC designation must be fully satisfied. The examination is also
expected to play a role in the licensing procedure by evaluating the candidate's
technical competence (including academic outcome knowledge and the application
of laboratory- and research-based knowledge) as professional exercise physiologists.
Questions selected for the examination are at a level suitable for testing
the candidates’ academic and hands-on competence.
