(CSEP-CEP) - Scope of Practice - Provincial Fitness Unit

CSEP Certified Exercise Physiologist ® (CSEP-CEP) - Scope of Practice
A CSEP-CEP is sanctioned by CSEP to:
1. Administer appropriate submaximal and maximal assessment protocols for the evaluation of physical
fitness to individuals who have been risk stratified and cleared for physical activity participation, signed an
informed consent form and/or who have been cleared for unrestricted or restricted activity by a licensed health
care professional.
2. Provide physical activity participation clearance following queries to positive responses on pages 2, 3
and 4 of the PAR-Q+ and/or the completion of the ePARmed-X+ and/or who have been cleared for
unrestricted or restricted activity by a licensed health care professional.
3. Provide physical activity participation clearance to clients who are screened out by PAR-Q+ questions
and the ePARmed-X+ but these clients are already under the care of the physician. In these instances, the
CSEP-CEP can recommend tailored, low intensity, progressive physical activity (such as walking) until
additional information is gathered.
4. Provide physical activity participation clearance and recommend tailored, progressive physical activity
for clients across the lifespan who do not respond positively to PAR-Q+.
5. Provide physical activity participation clearance and recommend intensity and mode appropriate,
progressive physical activity for children and youths under the age of majority who have consent of their parent
or guardian.
6. Use the behaviour change model and strategies to facilitate physical activity participation and lifestyle
modification education.
7. Interpret the results of an individual’s fitness assessment to determine the individual’s health-related
fitness level and/or performance-related (function and work or sport) fitness level.
8. Monitor the influence of commonly used medications on the response to fitness assessment and
exercise.
9. Use the outcomes from objective assessments to guide decisions regarding physical activity/exercise:
prescription, demonstration, supervision and monitoring, fitness and healthy lifestyle counseling and act as a
personal trainer.
10. Design and implement safe and effective exercise prescriptions for asymptomatic and symptomatic
persons with chronic disease, functional limitations, and disabilities
11. Suggest healthy dietary practices in concert with physical activity/exercise programs for healthy weight
management.
12. Suggest dietary practices for health-related nutrition and performance-related nutrition.
13. Measure resting, exercise and post-exercise blood pressure accurately by auscultation. Note: For
CSEP-CEP’s with documented hearing impairment, the use of a high quality automatic blood pressure unit
such as the BPTRUE 100 or 200 is only permitted at rest when the client is completely stationary. Since these
devices are currently not suitable for exercise conditions, hearing impaired CSEP-CEPs will have to rely on the
assistance of another CSEP-CEP to administer the exercise blood pressures via auscultation. This provides
reasonable accommodation for a CSEP-CEP with documented hearing impairment.

14. Use a heart rhythm tracing (single lead or multiple leads) to observe heart response at rest, during a
fitness assessment and a structured exercise session for the purposes of identifying but not diagnosing
irregularities.
15. Evaluate and treat both asymptomatic and symptomatic populations with medical conditions, functional
limitations and disabilities who have been cleared by the ePARmed-X+ and/or who have been cleared for
unrestricted or restricted activity by a licensed health care professional, for the purpose of improving health and
function.
16. Perform case management evaluations, prescribe conditioning exercise, and provide exercise
supervision, health education and outcome evaluation.
17. Work with apparently healthy asymptomatic and symptomatic populations such as older adults, children
and youth, and obstetric populations, in health enhancement and the prevention of impairment and disability.
18. Provide appropriate exercise therapy to clients including, but not limited to, those with musculoskeletal,
cardio-respiratory, and metabolic conditions.
19. To monitor acute and chronic responses and adaptations to exercise in healthy and clinical populations.
20. Accept referrals from licensed health care professionals who are trained and licensed to diagnose and
treat musculoskeletal conditions and/or medical conditions.
21. Draw finger prick blood samples provided they have documented proof of having undergone
appropriate phlebotomy training (provincial certification) and a physician has signed their Medical Delegation,
which is to be renewed annually as per the Controlled Acts that are governed by the Regulated Health
Professions Acts (RHPA, 1991). Those members who do NOT obtain the appropriate training, certification and
renewal will not be permitted to carry out this service, nor will they have any insurance coverage for this
service.
22. Conduct group physical activity sessions.
23. Offer specialty physical activity classes (eg: spinning, aqua fitness, Pilates, yoga, etc.) provided they
have proof of having received the proper training for that specialty. Those members who do NOT obtain the
appropriate training, certification and renewal will not be permitted to carry out this service, nor will they have
any insurance coverage for this service.
24. To terminate or suspend exercise testing or training in light of observed indications and
contraindications to exercise.
25. Conduct Functional Ability Evaluations (FAE) or Functional Assessments using specialized
systems/equipment, provided the CSEP-CEP has the training/certification to conduct these specialized
assessments. Those members who do NOT obtain the appropriate training, certification and renewal will not
be permitted to carry out this service, nor will they have any insurance coverage for this service.
26. Respond to emergency situations including the provision of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and
automated external defibrillation as appropriate.
A CSEP-CEP is not sanctioned by CSEP to:
1. Administer assessment protocols and prescribe exercise and/or therapy to acutely injured and diseased
individuals who are not within the boundaries of the above scope of practice.
2. Diagnose pathology based on any assessment performed.
3. Diagnose ECG abnormalities.