EARN YOUR FITNESS SAFETY "MANAGER" CERTIFICATION

After successfully completing the “new” CEC/CEU course (Minimizing Legal Liability and Maximizing Fitness Safety), exercise professionals who work in positions, such as manager/director, assistant manager/director, supervisor, program coordinator or other leadership positions are eligible to obtain the Fitness Law Academy’s certification:

CERTIFIED FITNESS SAFETY MANAGER (CFSM)

After successful completion of the CEC/CEU course, eligible candidates will be "invited" to earn this certification. To earn this certification, candidates will need to pass a 2-part practical examination:

Part 1: Completion of a written risk management project that can be implemented in the candidate’s facility or program. The written project will be graded on a pass/fail basis – it must reflect sound legal/risk management principles.

Part 2: Upon successful completion of the written project, the candidate will need to pass an oral examination defending the written project, (i.e., successfully answering questions in a virtual setting such as Zoom).

Eligibility requirements:

(1) A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, fitness/wellness, or related field

(2) Currently in a management or leadership position (described above) for at least one year

Certification FAQs

1. What steps are involved to earn the certification?
First, the candidate proposes a risk management project that he/she would like to develop – a risk management project that will benefit the candidate’s fitness facility and/or program. Upon approval, the guidelines and timeframe for preparation of the written portion of the exam will be provided to the candidate. After the written project is submitted, it is then evaluated on a pass/fail basis. If a fail grade is given, the candidate will have a second chance to revise the written project and re-submit. If a pass grade is given, a date for the oral examination is set. The oral exam (candidate answers questions regarding his/her risk management project) will be conducted via Zoom and will last about 30-45 minutes. Upon successful completion of the oral exam, the candidate will be awarded the certification from the Fitness Law Academy.

2. Is this certification accredited?

No. In the future, the plan is to obtain NCCA accreditation. One of the NCCA requirements is the completion of a job task analysis (JTA), which is accomplished by qualified professionals completing a survey answering questions such as the following for each competency (or job task) listed: (a) how important is that task? and (b) how frequently do you perform that task? A valid JTA cannot be completed until there enough individuals who would be familiar with legal/risk management competencies applicable to fitness facilities/programs. For example, we will need enough individuals who have completed the CEC/CEU course who would be willing to participate in the JTA survey. Once that is accomplished, accreditation can be pursued.

3. What is the fee for the certification?

$200 -- An invoice will be sent to interested candidates.

4. Do continuing education credits (CECs) need to be earned to keep the certification current?

Yes, every three years. There will be a variety of ways to earn CECs.

5. What does it mean to be a Certified Fitness Safety Manager (CFSM)?

A CFSM has successfully completed the Fitness Law Academy’s CEC/CEU “self-study” course and has passed a practical examination involving the development of a risk management project. The CFSM has demonstrated certain competencies reflecting legal/risk management responsibilities of fitness facility and program managers. The CFSM should not be considered an “expert” in the law or risk management, unless he/she has completed advanced formal education (e.g., a law degree or completion of graduate classes covering the law, risk management, and business law) and 5-10 years of related professional experience.

After successful completion of the certification practical examination, individuals will receive the following certificate.

Certificate of Completion