1. Accreditation is an effort to assess the quality of institutions, programs, and services, measuring them against established standards and thereby assuring that they meet those standards.
2. The standards have been developed by professionals involved in each discipline and are intended to reflects what a person needs to know and be able to do to function successfully in that profession.
3. Accreditation in the health-related disciplines also serves a very important public interest regarding standards of care and protection from harm.
4. Along with certification and licensure, accreditation is a toll intended to help assures a well-preserved and qualified workforce providing health care services.

The process generally involves several key steps:

• Request for Accreditation Services (RAS): Programs can submit a RAS form through CAAHEPs website. This is used by CAAHEP and the profession-specific Committee on Accreditation to know that your program is seeking accreditation.
• Self-study: Prepare a self-assessment report that outlines how your program meets accreditation standards.
• Application submission: Submit the self-study report and supporting documentation (e.g., curriculum, faculty credentials, student outcomes) to the accrediting body.
• Site visit: A team of external evaluators will visit your program to assess its quality and compliance with accreditation standards.
• Decision: The accrediting body will review your application, site visit report, and any additional documentation before making a decision on accreditation status.

Fees for the accreditation process are as follows:

• Initial Accreditation - $750
• Site Visit Expenditures - $1500-5000
• CoAES Annual Fee - $500
• CAAHEP Institutional Annual Fee - $600
• Continuing Accreditation Review - $500

• Outside quality assurance
• Maintaining curriculum currency
• Ability for graduates to site for exams
• Marketing
• Protects the public
• Ensures a qualified work force
• By 2027 candidates for ACSM-EP and ACSM-CEP must come from an accredited program

Accreditation provides several key benefits:

• Credibility: It assures students, employers, and stakeholders that your program meets high standards.
• Certification eligibility: Accredited programs help graduates qualify for certification exams in clinical exercise physiology.
• Student recruitment: Accreditation is a key factor in attracting prospective students who want to ensure they’re receiving quality education.
• External recognition: Accredited programs are often better positioned to form partnerships with clinical sites, hospitals, and other organizations.

The deadline for CAAHEP accreditation for ACSM-EP and ACSM-CEP certifications is August 15, 2027.

Students graduating from a program that is NOT accredited will no longer be eligible to sit for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Exercise Physiologist (EP) Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) credential exams. 

Complete the Request for Accreditation Services form here.

This form is free to fill out but ultimately will need to be approved by your Dean and authorized by the CEO/President/Provost.

The self-study report is completed by the program. It and documents how the program meets each of the standards outlined in the CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Exercise Physiology found here.

The self-study report can be completed prior to filling out the Request for Accreditation Services.

There is no definitive timeline for program accreditation once the process has begun. The timeline is dependent upon numerous factors within and outside the control of prospective programs. The minimum expected timeline to accreditation is one year but can take as long as 2 or 3 years. 

A site visit will be conducted by individuals assigned by the Committee on Accreditation. Site visits typically last 1-2 days with the format varying on the type of visit but can be completed on-site, virtually, or a blend or both. The site visit provides the opportunity for the Committee on Accreditation to verify the information submitted in the self-study.

A: If your program does not meet all accreditation standards, the accrediting body may offer conditional accreditation or require corrective actions before full accreditation is granted. In some cases, the program may be denied accreditation but can reapply after addressing the deficiencies.

Yes. CAAHEP review for 2025 are as follows

• March 21st, recommendations due February 17th
• May 15th, recommendations due April 15th
• July 16th, recommendations due June 16th
• September 19th, recommendations due August 15th
• November 21st, recommendations due October 15th

From Kendall Turner, MBA, MS, ACSM-CEP

Team Coordinator, Cardiac, Pulmonary, and Vascular Rehabilitation

Mended Hearts Williamsburg Chapter 427 Hospital Liaison

Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center                       

Why should an educational institution pursue program accreditation through CAAHEP for an Exercise Physiology program?

Educational Institutions who obtain accreditation for Exercise Physiology programs play a critical role in elevating the professional recognition and credibility of Clinical Exercise Physiologists (CEPs). The demand for evidence-based practices in healthcare is expected. It is essential that professionals who provide clinical exercise physiology services are thoroughly trained and held to consistent, high standards of education and practice. An accredited program equips students with the scientific knowledge, practical skills, and ethical grounding necessary to deliver effective, evidence-based exercise testing, prescription, and interventions in a variety of clinical settings.

Accreditation serves as a hallmark of quality and demonstrates that the educational program adheres to guidelines and best practices. It assures both prospective students and employers that the curriculum is comprehensive, updated, and aligned with current healthcare needs and trends. Program accreditation ensures that an educational institution's program meets the rigorous criteria required to adequately prepare students for managing patients with complex medical conditions in the healthcare environment.

An accredited Exercise Physiology program is the first step in preparing individuals to become ACSM certified Clinical Exercise Physiologists. Certification for Clinical Exercise Physiologists is particularly crucial, as they play a key role in managing chronic diseases, improving cardiovascular health, and enhancing rehabilitation outcomes for patients. The healthcare industry requires licensure and/or certification for most allied health professions. Practicing as certified practitioners will allow CEPs to stand alongside the other certified and licensed healthcare professions regarding job opportunities, compensation, and career growth.  

Program accreditation enhances the public perception of the Clinical Exercise Physiologist as a respected, credible professional within the healthcare landscape. This is vital so that Clinical Exercise Physiologists can be recognized as skilled and knowledgeable practitioners who can effectively provide healthcare services along with other allied health professionals. Program accreditation helps clarify the qualifications required to perform these critical tasks, reinforces the importance of the profession, and leverages the CEP profession within the healthcare industry. 

The University of Delaware decided to pursue accreditation for the graduate program in Clinical Exercise Physiology in order to maintain our commitment to uphold the highest industry standards and provide our students with the tools and resources necessary to succeed. By becoming an accredited program, we can ensure qualified students are eligible to sit for national certifications and can also positively contribute to larger efforts in regard to elevating the profession. The overall process was transparent, straight forward and relatively easy to navigate. When our team had questions, there were resources and personnel readily available to help us. Promoting our accreditation standing has also been an effective recruiting tool as it is something that students across all professions look for when choosing their school of choice and also improves the student's confidence that our program meets industry standards and can help them reach their professional goals.