Cancer Exercise Specialists

Certification or Licensing

Voluntary certification is available from professional associations and other providers. Those who are certified typically earn higher salaries and enjoy better employment prospects than those who are not certified. To become certified, applicants typically need to meet experience and education requirements, take several courses, and pass an examination. The following organizations offer certification programs:

• American College of Sports Medicine/American Cancer Society (certified cancer exercise specialist)
• American Council on Exercise (health coach, medical exercise specialist)
• American Physical Therapy Association (specialization in oncology PT)
• Cancer Exercise Training Institute (cancer exercise specialist advanced qualification)
• National Federation of Professional Trainers (cancer recovery specialist)

Many associations also offer general fitness and therapy certification credentials that will be useful to those who are in the early stages of their careers. Cancer exercise specialists should also be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Fitness and exercise professionals may need to be licensed in certain states. Upon graduating from an accredited physical therapy educational program, all physical therapists must successfully complete a national licensing examination.