Table 1.

Qualifications and scope of practice of different exercise professions, using the Australian context as an example

Profession	Minimum qualification	Advanced-level education and clinical practicum in exercise prescription for pathological conditions, including clinical placements	Target population for exercise assessments and prescription	Exercise delivery
Personal trainer	A recognised fitness qualification (i.e. Certificate or Diploma) or Bachelor’s degree not accredited by ESSA	No	Healthy populations	Healthy populations, clients with stable chronic conditions under the guidance of the client’s treating physician and/or a clinical exercise physiologist/physiotherapist
Exercise scientist	Bachelor’s degree in exercise science, with ESSA accreditation	No	Healthy populations	Healthy populations, clients with stable chronic conditions where a clinical exercise physiologist/physiotherapist has provided the exercise prescription
Clinical exercise physiologist,	Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in clinical exercise physiology	Yes	Healthy populations through to clients with chronic disease, including active cardiovascular, metabolic and renal disease	All clients free of absolute contraindications to exercise
Physiotherapist	Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in physiotherapy	Yes		All clients free of absolute contraindications to exercise

ESSA Exercise and Sports Science Australia