Kinesiologists

Certification or Licensing

Although certification is not mandatory for every job, it is highly recommended as a way of showing professional achievement. Certification is offered in the form of registration by the Council on Professional Standards for Kinesiotherapy through the American Kinesiotherapy Association. To receive registration from COPS-KT, applicants must have at least a bachelor's degree in kinesiotherapy, exercise science, or a related field, complete core course requirements as specified by COPS-KT, have at least 1,000 hours of clinical experience under the supervision of a registered kinesiotherapist, and pass an examination. Those who meet these requirements receive the designation registered kinesiotherapist. To keep this designation, kinesiotherapists must complete continuing education credits each year. The council also recognizes advanced level practitioners in more than 20 areas, including Aquatics, Cancer Rehabilitation, Geriatrics, Orthopedics, and Senior Fitness Specialist

If a kinesiotherapist has earned an undergraduate degree in physical education, he or she also may become a state-certified physical education teacher after meeting the certification requirements for his or her state.

Other certifications are available based on the kinesiologist's specialty. For example, the American College of Sports Medicine offers certifications for health and fitness instructors, specialists, and exercise physiologists. Athletic trainers are certified by the Board of Certification for the National Athletic Trainers' Association. The American Society of Exercise Physiologists offers voluntary board certification to exercise physiologists. Such certifications typically require having completed an accredited education program as well as passing an exam.