Sports Science Accreditation |

Sports Science Accreditation

ESSA > Sports Science Accreditation

An ESSA Accredited Sports Scientist specialises in applying scientific principles and techniques to assist coaches and athletes to improve their performance, either at an individual level or within the context of a team environment. They may also apply their knowledge and skills to relevant projects within the sports industry, for corporate bodies or in the community.

At all times, an ESSA Accredited Sports Scientist makes the wellbeing of the athlete, the team and other service users their primary concern by providing the utmost duty of care and never recommending the use of any substance or practice that might knowingly cause harm to the service user.

Accredited Sports Scientists are qualified specialists who are associated with:

The provision of sports science services to athletes;
The training of potential sports scientists; and/or
The conduct of research relating to sport in an elite sporting environment such as the AIS, state academy or professional sports club.

I Want To Apply For Sports Science Accreditation – Where Do I Start?

To apply for Sports Science Accreditation please read the information below on what level you can apply for.

The levels are dependent on the level of experience able to be shown.

The application guide for each level provides in depth information and sample applications to assist you so please take the time to read these.

What Level Of Sports Science Accreditation Am I Eligible To Apply For?

Accredited Sports Scientist Level 1

Level 1 Applicants must:

Undergraduate Study – Exercise, sports & movement science, Australian Quality Framework (AQF) Level 7 (3 year bachelor degree)
Demonstrate evidence of meeting the ESSA Exercise Science Standards, including 140 hours of supervised exercise science practicum.
Demonstrate evidence of meeting the ESSA Accredited Sports Scientist Professional Standards (Standards 1 to 6).
Demonstrate evidence of 360 supervised hours of sports science professional experience; suitable supervisors and assessors for Accredited Sports Scientist Level 1 accreditation include:

- A current ESSA Accredited Sports Scientist Level 1 with 2 years full time equivalent (FTE) (3600 hours) experience
- A current ESSA Accredited Sports Scientist Level 2
- A current Accredited Sports Scientist with the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), or with Sport and Exercise Science New Zealand (SESNZ)
- An Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA) Professional Coach, Level 2 or above with a 3-year degree in exercise, sport or movement science.
- An accredited coach with the UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA).

All ASpS must also meet ESSA’s accreditation eligibility requirements.

Note: Other persons may be approved as supervisors or assessors on a case-by-case basis by the ESSA Sports Science Standards Advisory Committee.

The Level 1 Application form can be found here: Accredited Sports Scientist (ASpS) Level 1

The Level 1 Application Guide can be found here: ASpS Level 1 Application Guide

Accredited Sports Scientist Level 2

Level 2 Applicants must:

EITHER

Have completed an AQF Level 7 qualification (or an international equivalent) leading to the award of a Bachelor degree in or related to the field of exercise and sports science
Have completed a minimum AQF Level 8 qualification (or an international equivalent) leading to the award of an Honours degree by research (sports science domain), or a higher qualification such as an AQF Level 9 qualification (or an international equivalent) leading to the award of a Masters degree (by coursework or research).
Satisfy meeting the Exercise Science Standards including 140 hours of exercise science practicum.
Demonstrate evidence of meeting the ESSA Accredited Sports Scientist Level 1 Professional Standards (Standards 1 to 6).
Demonstrate evidence of meeting the ESSA Accredited Sports Scientist Level 2 Professional Standards.
Demonstrate evidence of 3 years full time equivalent (FTE) (5400 hours) supervised experience under an ESSA Accredited Sports Scientist Level 2.

Have completed an AQF Level 7 qualification (or an international equivalent) leading to the award of a Bachelor degree; AND a minimum qualification at AQF Level 9 qualification (or an international equivalent) leading to the award of a Masters degree (by coursework or research) relevant to sports science practice.*
Satisfy meeting the Exercise Science Standards including 140 hours of exercise science practicum.
Demonstrate evidence of meeting the ESSA Accredited Sports Scientist Level 1 Professional Standards (Standards 1 to 6) (not including an undergraduate degree in exercise, sports or movement science).
Demonstrate evidence of meeting the ESSA Accredited Sports Scientist Level 2 Professional Standards.
Demonstrate evidence of at least 5 years full time equivalent (FTE) (9000 hours) experience, working in a supervised capacity, in providing sports science services to service users.**

All ASpS must also meet NASRHP Accreditation Requirements.

*All qualifications will be assessed by ESSA on a case-by-case basis to ensure the sports science competencies are met.
**Applicants who can substantiate at least 3 years FTE may be granted provisional Accredited Sports Scientist status until they can substantiate having completed 5 years FTE experience, working in a supervised capacity, in providing sports science services to service
users.

The Level 2 Application form can be found here: Accredited Sports Scientist (ASpS) Level 2

The Level 2 Application guide can be found here: ASpS Level 2 Application Guide

Accredited Sports Scientist Grandfathering

To be eligible to apply for grandfathered sports science accreditation applicants must satisfy;

10 years full time equivalent (FTE) practice*
Hold a higher education degree related to exercise and sports science**
Demonstrate evidence of meeting the standards for an Accredited Sports Scientist through submission of 3–5 sports science case studies.

All ASpS must also meet ESSA’s accreditation eligibility requirements.

*Practice — whether remunerated or not — in which the individual uses their skills and knowledge as a sports scientist under the defined ESSA Scope of Practice for Sports Science. For the purpose of accreditation, practice is restricted to direct servicing and research. Management, administration and policy development roles are not included.

**Where a person has a qualification below a Bachelor degree (AQF 7), they will be given provisional accreditation and will have 3 years to gain a qualification of a Bachelor degree (AQF 7) or above.

The grandfathering pathway will be available until 1 February 2021.

The Accredited Sports Scientist Grandfathering Application form can be found here: Accredited Sports Scientist (ASpS) Grandfathering Application Form

The Accredited Sports Scientist Grandfathering Application guide can be found here: Accredited Sports Scientist and Accredited High Performance (Sports Science/Sports Medicine) Manager Grandfathering Guide