Examination Eligibility
Carefully review the Exam Eligibility Pathway options below to determine your eligibility to sit for the CWP exam. To receive access to the online exam, all CWP candidates must complete an application after submitting their exam fee to provide information supporting their eligibility.
You may also request verification of eligibility prior to registering by submitting a separate CWP Eligibility Verification Form and $35 review fee by the 15th of the month prior to the start date of the CWP exam period for which you are registering. Note: This form is optional for most candidates; however, if your highest degree is a non-wellness-related Associate degree, high school diploma, or equivalent, you are required to provide evidence of five years’ professional wellness experience by submitting the CWP Eligibility Verification Form.
Helpful Links
Exam Eligibility Pathway Options
Formal Education
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- Wellness* or wellness-related**
Professional Experience
One year in wellness or proof of a qualified internship/practicum^
Formal Education
- Associate degree
- Wellness*
Professional Experience
Two years in wellness or one year in wellness and proof of a qualified internship/practicum^
Formal Education
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- Non-wellness
Professional Experience
Three years in wellness, or two years in wellness WITH either a minor in wellness or a graduate certificate in wellness
Formal Education
- Associate degree
- Wellness-Related**
Professional Experience
Three years in wellness, or two years in wellness WITH either a minor in wellness or a graduate certificate in wellness
Formal Education
- Associate degree
- Non-wellness
OR
- High school diploma or equivalent
Professional Experience
Five years in wellness
Note: Demonstrating 15 hours of wellness continuing education in the last five years (must align with the Wellness Promotion Competency Model) may replace up to one year of required professional experience.
Eligibility Review Required!
Please note that all candidates applying to sit for the CWP exam via Pathway #3 must submit an Eligibility Verification Form and pay the associated review fee.
*Wellness Degrees: Wellness, Health Promotion, Health Education, Public Health, Integrative Health, Healthy Living, Wellness Management
**Wellness-Related Degrees: Dietetics, Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Psychology, Social Work, Nursing, Health Psychology, Advanced Degree (D.O., M.D., P.A., D.C., D.P.T.)
^Internship/Practicum: If non-credit-bearing, candidates must submit documentation verifying a minimum of 70 internship and/or practicum hours.
IMPORTANT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION INFORMATION
All CWP candidates must complete an application during registration to provide information supporting their eligibility. Candidates in Pathway #1 or Pathway #2 who are unsure if they meet the eligibility requirements to sit for the CWP exam have the OPTION to request a prescreening by submitting the Eligibility Verification Form. Prescreening is required for candidates in Pathway #3. If requesting verification, candidates must submit their Eligibility Verification Form no later than the 15th of the month prior to the exam period (i.e., before December 15, April 15, or August 15) to guarantee notification of eligibility prior to the examination registration deadline. Effective Date: December 17. 2021
Exam Eligibility Verification
Optional for Most; Required for Pathway #3
Eligibility Pathways and Review Fee
Review the CWP Exam Eligibility Pathways before requesting verification of your eligibility or registering for the CWP exam. For most candidates, submission of the CWP Exam Eligibility Verification Form (see below) is optional.
- If your education places you in the first or second pathway:
You have the option to request a prescreening by completing the Eligibility Verification Form below if you are unsure if your degree or professional experience qualify you to sit for the exam. - If you hold a non-wellness-related Associate degree, high school diploma, or equivalent (Pathway 3):
A pre-screening is required for you to provide evidence of five years' professional wellness experience (or four years experience plus 15 hours of recent continuing education).
A $35 review fee must be submitted to receive access to the CWP Exam Eligibility Verification Form.
After
payment is processed, return here to complete the form. If you do not
have a current Wellness Alliance username to sign in, create or update your account now.
Form Submission and Notification
To guarantee notification of your eligibility prior to your preferred exam period's registration deadline, you must submit the form no later than the 15th of the month prior to that exam period (i.e., before December 15, April 15, or August 15).
- Submit between the 1st and 15th: Notification sent via email by the 1st of the following month.
- Submit between the 16th and month-end: Notification sent via email by the 15th of the following month.
Note: Submitting the CWP Eligibility Verification Form does not guarantee eligibility to sit for the CWP exam nor does it predict your performance on the certification exam.
Questions
All forms are reviewed by an external committee. Please note that certification guidelines prevent Wellness Alliance staff from reviewing eligibility documents, making eligibility recommendations, or providing any eligibility approvals.