Certification
Certification as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC) demonstrates to clients, employers, colleagues, and the public at large that an individual has met the highest standards of professional practice, including completing a combination of educational and work requirements, successfully passing a certification exam, agreeing to adhere to ethical principles and standards, and committing to ongoing professional development.
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These individuals have obtained objective validation of their expertise in helping clients develop and use mental, life, and self-regulatory skills to optimize performance, enjoyment, and/or personal development in sport or other domains (e.g., performing arts, military).
CMPCs are individuals with a master’s or doctoral degree in sport science, psychology or a clearly related field* who have met specific course requirements and have completed an extensive, mentored applied experience.
The disciplines included within the sport psychology field applicable to those holding the CMPC designation include: clinical psychology, educational psychology and clinical mental health counseling, social work, industrial-organizational psychology, and sport psychology from a sport science basis. A CMPC may work with a wide variety of participants in sport and performance.
Download the CMPC Certification Candidate Handbook
CMPC Fact Sheet: Setting a Higher Standard in Mental Performance
*Unaccepted degree areas include: business/leadership, education, M.D., occupational therapy, sociology, and sport management to name a few. To determine if a degree not listed here meets the eligibility requirements, please contact the CMPC Certification Council.
The CMPC Council is responsible for setting policies and processes that uphold the highest standards for mental performance credentialing. Due to the increased interest in CMPC and volume of applications, the CMPC Council is unable to provide individualized assistance such as "soft review" of coursework or evaluation of transcripts at this time. Even if a CMPC Council member did provide a "soft review" it would not be binding until officially reviewed as part of the formal application process. The Council understands that candidates face decisions regarding registering for courses. We strongly encourage CMPC candidates to work closely with an Approved Mentor regarding selecting coursework and mentored experiences.
Find a listing of Approved Mentors here.
Resources on Youth Sport and CMPC Certification
- Benefits of CMPC Certification in Youth Sport
- Why Is Focus Important in Youth Sport?
- Why Is Confidence Important in Youth Sport?
Youth sport through elite level coaches and administrators
Youth sport, high school, college, and elite level athletes
Athletes with disabilities
Recreational athletes
Injured athletes
Athletic trainers
Non-sport performers (dancers, musicians)
High-risk occupations (military, firefighters, police)
Business professionals
The CMPC certification process encourages professionals who complete it to maintain high standards of professional conduct while providing service to others.
Individuals who are certified may use the letters CMPC after their name and highest university degree. While the CMPC designation signifies the highest standard of education and training in the psychological aspects of sport science, it does not designate the individual as a “sport psychologist.” Requirements for providing psychological services are determined by individual state, provincial, and/or territorial licensing boards.
