CSCS Certification

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dropping101

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Anyone here thinking about going for their CSCS certification before, during, or after PT school? What are your thoughts/opinions on it?
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I was thinking about it since I'm more interested in the CSPS.
 
Thats actually a good idea. I had read about the CSPS a few years back and totally forgot about it. It looks interesting. Do you know anyone who has the CSPS?
 
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I do not but if I was to go for it, it would be more for personal growth. I'm tired of all the letters after the name. I'm at a cross-road myself. I'm really interested in data science and see that it can be really beneficial in research but I'm also really interested in learning more about special populations. Both can be clinically beneficial. I'll grow on both interests, but just deciding which to invest in first is driving me nuts. I'm one of those people who can only concentrate on one thing at a time. With that said, that NPTE is coming up...
 
Haha, if I was in your position, I would concentrate all my efforts on the NPTE. Im luckily starting PT school in the summer, so I have plenty of time to take the CSCS course. Im interested in everyone, I love PT.
 
also will having a CSCS provide you with a better income after you graduate PT school?
 
ktachiba said:
also will having a CSCS provide you with a better income after you graduate PT school?
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Here's where you go to sign up. Please realize that it's not just an easy test to take and that's it, you're certified. I've taken some thought in getting my CSCS, but I don't think I would benefit from it while I'm in PT school. I feel that if I really want to do Sports PT or any other kind of setting, then it would be ideal to get this cert. and maybe market myself more. I've taken a S&C course required for my BS-ExSc degree and we were encouraged to take it...but I felt there's no need. Maybe if you do a sports pt residency, and then get certified, (or vice versa) then it would be a good decision. But...that's what I think. I'm about to earn my BS-ExSc degree and I star PT school in a couple of months...I have no experience in getting a CSCS and much less having a DPT with a CSCS, but hopefully someone else will join in here and give us their experience. 😉

PS. Look at the cost to register :O
 
Gain membership as a student and pay the reduced fee. Members receive a significant discount on exams.
 
Romazicon said:
Here's where you go to sign up. Please realize that it's not just an easy test to take and that's it, you're certified. I've taken some thought in getting my CSCS, but I don't think I would benefit from it while I'm in PT school. I feel that if I really want to do Sports PT or any other kind of setting, then it would be ideal to get this cert. and maybe market myself more. I've taken a S&C course required for my BS-ExSc degree and we were encouraged to take it...but I felt there's no need. Maybe if you do a sports pt residency, and then get certified, (or vice versa) then it would be a good decision. But...that's what I think. I'm about to earn my BS-ExSc degree and I star PT school in a couple of months...I have no experience in getting a CSCS and much less having a DPT with a CSCS, but hopefully someone else will join in here and give us their experience. 😉

PS. Look at the cost to register :O
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info! yeah I def know it won't be easy, but seeing as I will have a lot of free time after this semester before PT school starts, I thought it might be a good idea to try and get the CSCS.
 
dropping101 said:
Im on the same boat as you ktachiba!
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Haha nice... I've been thinking of gettin' my CPR certification too as it seems that most schools want you to have that before starting clinicals
 
ktachiba said:
also will having a CSCS provide you with a better income after you graduate PT school?
Click to expand...

Probably not. Or at least not very significantly. There are a lot of PTs that are CSCS's and clinics don't have any real economic incentive to pay them substantially more. It would be something to do for your own personal growth, not for more money.
 
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There won't be a direct increase in income for having a CSCS. You will get recognition and maybe a little nudge in getting a job over another person if they have an environment requiring use of CSCS education. I got my CSCS and I'm just a PT aide, but did it do wonders for understanding the relationship between exercise and PT. I was getting interviews left and right, and every single PT asked me about my CSCS.

The test isn't easy though. Last year, there was about a 40% pass rate in the U.S. I believe.
 
knj27 said:
Probably not. Or at least not very significantly. There are a lot of PTs that are CSCS's and clinics don't have any real economic incentive to pay them substantially more. It would be something to do for your own personal growth, not for more money.
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Cool thanks for the heads up...Yeah I think I would still take it for personal growth as I would love to become the best PT as I possibly can
 
future PT from CA said:
There won't be a direct increase in income for having a CSCS. You will get recognition and maybe a little nudge in getting a job over another person if they have an environment requiring use of CSCS education. I got my CSCS and I'm just a PT aide, but did it do wonders for understanding the relationship between exercise and PT. I was getting interviews left and right, and every single PT asked me about my CSCS.

The test isn't easy though. Last year, there was about a 40% pass rate in the U.S. I believe.
Click to expand...
Damn that does sound like a pretty hard test if the passing rate was that low. How long did you study for?
 
Most PTs I work with have the CSCS. They said that they don't regret it and they're glad to have it. Part of the rehab process is exercise programming which I assume the CSCS covers. Extra knowledge doesn't hurt.
 
ktachiba said:
Damn that does sound like a pretty hard test if the passing rate was that low. How long did you study for?
Click to expand...

It depends on your background with bioenergetics and ex phys. I studied for about a year, the last 3 months of which I studied for 3-6 hours a day. Barely passed. Half of my friends passed, half did not. I'd say the 40% is accurate.
 
Just purchased the books/practice exams...I'm excited to try and get this done before PT school starts :claps:
 
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