CASCE Accreditation
CSCS® Exam Eligibility Update
The NSCA is extending its original 2030 target date to 2036 for the new CSCS exam degree requirement tied to CASCE accreditation. More information will be shared soon.
Rise to the higher standard with the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education (CASCE, pronounced KASS-KEY).
CASCE is a nonprofit accrediting agency that distinguishes higher education strength and conditioning programs with academic rigor and practical excellence through a peer-reviewed accreditation process.
Accreditation Benefits
CASCE accreditation strengthens your marketing, elevates your program’s prestige, and equips your students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in strength and conditioning.
Programs benefit from enhanced recruitment and visibility, connection to the NSCA’s authority, and formal recognition as a leader in the industry.
Students benefit from guaranteed readiness to meet industry standards, automatic CSCS® qualification, and an elite education that sets them apart.
The industry benefits from consistent standards that satisfy state regulators, well-qualified candidates, and momentum to meet evolving demands.
Why Accreditation Can't Wait
Standardization is long overdue in strength and conditioning education.
For decades, similar accrediting agencies have safeguarded program quality and exam eligibility across industries. In 2016, the NCAA began requiring credible certification for every division strength and conditioning professional to protect student-athletes from injuries like exertional rhabdomyolysis.
Starting in 2036, candidates for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) exam must hold a bachelor’s degree (or higher) related to strength and conditioning from a CASCE-accredited program. Candidates with related health degrees may instead meet the requirement through a CASCE-accredited post-baccalaureate certificate. This timeline applies to degrees earned both in and outside the U.S. Until then, the current degree requirement remains in place.
Understanding Accreditation
in Strength and Conditioning
To ease your transition to accreditation and encourage early application, CASCE will fund your accreditation fee and annual fees through the new CASCE Accreditation Grant. The grant closes to new programs on December 1, 2027, but will continue to fund annual fees for pre-approved programs through December 31, 2029.
READY TO START YOUR ACCREDITATION JOURNEY?
1. Watch the 2025 Accreditation Q&A Webinar
Get answers to frequesntly asked questions in this 20-minute Q&A with CASCE leadership. Or watch the 30-minute walkthrough of the process from application to decision, including timelines, resources, and common challenges.
2. Check Your Readiness with Resources
Review the Professional Standards and Guidelines, Guide to Accreditation, and other documents. Explore the step-by-step accreditation process, and take the mandatory 5-minute Get Started Quiz.
3. Apply Online Before the Deadline
Use our convenient and secure digital application process to apply October 1 - December 1 annually. To ensure quality and maintain the integrity of the accreditation process, CASCE will accept a maximum of 50 applications per accreditation cycle.
Only one program may be submitted per accreditation application. Multiple programs cannot be accredited under a single application.
To receive CASCE Grant funds, simply affirm you completed the Get Started Quiz.
Are You a Strength & Conditioning Student?
Browse our directory of accredited programs to find an institution that upholds educational standards and prepares you to meet the new CSCS degree requirement starting in 2036.
Important Notice About CSCS Eligibility
Anyone currently holding the CSCS or earning it before the new degree requirement takes effect in 2036 will not be affected by the change unless their certification lapses.
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accreditation@nsca.com
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