How to Apply
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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 certification via the Standard Application pathway:
- Complete and submit the CMPC Standard Application Form & Record of Mentored Experience Hours Log by following the instructions provided. All materials must be submitted in one single PDF (except transcripts). 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 (*).
- ***NOTICE REGARDING KNOWLEDGE AREA 2: SPORT PSYCHOLOGY
- Exemption from needing three courses and instead needing one course for K2 will be made for (a) degree seeking applicants enrolled in an area clearly related to sport science or psychology graduate program prior to January 1, 2023 or (b) postgraduate professionals who can document completion of any K area course(s) between January 1, 2019 and January 1, 2023. Effective February 1, 2023, a minimum of three (3) course/educational experiences are required to fulfill K2: Sport Psychology of the Standard Practitioner requirements as described on the application form for all other applicants not eligible for the exemption that is based on when their schooling began. Click here to see examples of areas of study that are considered clearly 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 mail 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 form.
- Pay the application fee of $375.
- 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. AASP staff will provide instructions on how to schedule the testing date within the email notice of approval.
To apply for certification via the pathway for Active* CSPA-ACPS MPCs:
- Complete and submit the CMPC Application Forms for Active* CSPA-ACPS MPCs by following the instructions provided. All materials must be submitted in one single PDF.
- Submit a signed MPC Verification Form. All CSPA MPC Verification Forms are to be sent to Connor Primeau (Past Lead of CSPA Membership) at connor.primeau@uottawa.ca.
- Submit a completed and signed Ethical Code statement. This page is found within the application form.
- Pay the application fee of $125.
- 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. AASP staff will provide instructions on how to schedule the testing date within the email notice of approval.
