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How to Apply

Accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC) certification program has developed eligibility requirements to make the application process impartial for all applicants while ensuring professional competence.

Each requirement serves to ensure individuals certified by the Certification Council have an acceptable level of knowledge and skills needed to provide applied sport and performance psychology services as defined in the scope of the CMPC program. The Council acknowledges applied experience and demonstrated knowledge are essential to earning the CMPC credential.

Certification candidates must meet all eligibility requirements established by the Council at the time of application. Candidates cannot become certified without passing the certification exam. 

Complete details regarding the eligibility requirements for each pathway are outlined in the CMPC Certification Program Candidate Handbook.


To apply for new CMPC Certification:

  • Complete and submit the CMPC Application Form in the Certemy portal by following the instructions provided. Applicants must have earned a master’s or doctoral degree in an area clearly related to sport science or psychology from a regionally-accredited institution of higher education (or non-US equivalent) and completed coursework/educational experiences for university credit, or courses offered by AASP, to fulfill eight knowledge areas: K1*. Professional Ethics and Standards; K2*. Sport Psychology; K3. Sport Science; K4. Psychopathology; K5*. Helping Relationships; K6*. Research Methods and Statistics; K7. Psychological  Foundations of Behavior; K8*. Diversity and Culture. Graduate-level credit must be completed in the knowledge areas designated with an asterisk (*). Click here to see examples of areas of study that are considered related to sport science or psychology, and those that are not considered related.
  • Submit official transcripts from the university/college of qualifying master’s or doctoral degree. The institution should email all transcripts directly to certification@appliedsportpsych.org. Submit official transcripts from each university/college at which any other coursework was completed. Inform your institution(s) that secured PDF transcripts should be set to allow "Document Assembly" by AASP.
  • Applicants must have completed a 400-hour mentored experience consisting of a minimum of 200 hours spent in direct client contact, a maximum of 150 hours spent in support activities, and a minimum of 50 hours spent in mentorship (i.e., face-to-face mentorship, electronic mentorship, and direct knowledge of services). A minimum of 200 hours across these categories must be spent with competitive sport populations. Mentors must be approved to provide mentorship by the Certification Council. Browse the Registry of Approved Mentors.
  • Submit a signed Mentorship Verification Form from each mentor. For more information regarding the mentorship process, please visit the CMPC Mentorship Guidelines and Best Practice Recommendations and Group Mentoring Policy.
  • Submit a completed and signed Ethical Code statement. This page is found within the application in Certemy.
  • Pay the application fee of $375. CSPA Student/Apprentice Members applying as Standard Practitioners pay an application fee of $300 USD.
  • Applicants are eligible to take the certification exam following the Council’s review and approval of their application and accompanying documentation. Approved applicants are required to schedule and take the exam at an approved testing center or via live online proctoring within six months of their application approval. CMPC Program staff will provide instructions on how to schedule the test date within the email notice of approval. 

Active CMPCs may find information on applying for recertification, here.