Frequently Asked Questions

The recertification period is from November 1st of the preceding year to June 30th of the current year. The early recertification fee is $135 from November 1st to January 31st. The late fee is $160 from February 1st to June 30th. If the recertification fee is not paid by June 30th, on July 1st the certificant is inactive and must pay a reactivation fee in addition to the yearly maintenance fee.

One CCSP® class (no more than 10 percent of the hours of a 100-hour certification course) may be taken while the applicant is still an undergraduate.

Any DACBSP® course beginning after December 31, 2014 will require 250 hours of practical experience. Students enrolled in DACBSP® courses that began before January 1, 2015 will require 100 practical experience hours.

No. The ACBSP™ logo is used for official ACBSP™ business. It is not intended for certificant use. The logo is trademarked and improper use is unlawful.

As long as a certificant remains current with the requirements for the CCSP® or DACBSP®, they may use the marks. If a certificant becomes inactive, use of the marks is prohibited.

CEUs must be completed by December 31st each year. CPR must never expire.

The requirements to remain current (active) are as follows:

1. Continuing Education specific to the topic of sports medicine:
   • All CCSP® certificants are required to attend 12 hours of continuing education specific to the topic of sports medicine between Jan 1 – Dec 31.
   • All DACBSP® certificants are required to attend 24 hours of continuing education specific to the topic of sports medicine between Jan 1 – Dec 31.
2. All certificants must maintain an active healthcare provider level CPR certification at all times from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association or equivalent certification.
3. All certificants must complete “misconduct in sport” training shown below.
4. All certificants must pay an annual maintenance fee as set by the board of directors.
   • The annual certification maintenance fee is due before January 31 each year. When paid prior to January 31 the fee is $135.
   • If paid February 1 – June 30, the fee is $160.
   • If the fee is not paid by June 30, the certification is placed in an inactive status and the doctor’s name and information is removed from the online certificant directory and the doctor is no longer permitted to use the credential.
   • Weekly reminders will be sent to all certificants that have not completed the certification maintenance registration form. Once a completed form is received, certificants will be removed from the email list.
5. All certificants must complete a certification maintenance registration form annually. The web-based registration form requires each active certificant to:
   • Provide current business demographic data.
   • Attest to his/her current compliance and continued compliance with the requirements of the ACBSP™ Certification Maintenance Continuing Education Policy.
   • Attest to his/her acceptance of the Certificant Agreement and Release
6. All ACBSP™ certificants are required to maintain personal records as evidence of meeting the requirements described here.

All CEUs must be completed by December 31st each year.

• CCSP® Requirement: Completion of twelve (12) CEUs every one-year period, January 1st to December 31st
• DACBSP® Requirement: Completion of twelve (12) CEUs every one-year period, January 1st to December 31st

All continuing education activities must be sports medicine or fitness related and directly related to patient care in order to be accepted by the ACBSP.

Philosophy, Practice Management and Technique courses are NOT accepted. If there is a question regarding acceptable courses, please contact the nation office for assistance.

Written exams are offered twice each year, once in the spring and once in the fall. The spring exam is usually held in April or May and the fall exam is held in November. The written exams are offered via a remote-proctored, computer-based platform and can be taken from the comfort of your home.

The DACBSP® practical exam is offered once a year in conjunction with the symposium. It is offered only at the symposium location.

CCSP® certification candidates may attempt the exam up to three (3) times and must pass the exam within three (3) years of the date of completion of the qualifying post-graduate education program (CCSP® or MS program).

DACBSP® certification candidates may attempt the written and practical exams up to three (3) times and must pass both of the exams and complete the practical experience (field hours) requirement within three (3) years of the date of completion of the post-graduate education program (DACBSP® or MS program). The candidate must successfully complete the written project requirement within five (5) years of the date of completion of the post-graduate education program.