IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION - STUDY OBJECTIVE and AFP DAY-LONG COURSE OUTLINE CAN BE DOWNLOADED IN THE LINKS AT BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

THE AEA Aquatic Fitness Professional Manual is not included with your Certification Fees.

If you are taking the Examination JUNE THROUGH DECEMBER 2010 and are studying from the AEA SIXTH EDITION Aquatic Fitness Professional Manual, click on the link at the bottom of this page to download the SIXTH Edition Examination Study Objectives.

If you are taking the Examination MAY THROUGH DECEMBER 2010 but are studying from the AEA 5TH EDITION Aquatic Fitness Professional Manual, click on the link at the bottom of this page to download the FIFTH Edition Examination Study Objectives.

NOTE:  The Sixth Edition of the AEA Aquatic Fitness Professional Manual contains updated and revised information and the order of chapters is significantly different.  Thus, it is important to prepare for the Examination from the Examination Study Objectives corresponding to the Manual edition. During 2010, the Examination questions/answers will not be affected by your choice of Manual editions.  HOWEVER, beginning 2011, the examination will be based strictly upon the content of the Sixth Edition Aquatic Fitness Professional Manual.

To adequately prepare, candidates are encouraged to follow the timeline below:

•    8 Months Prior: Read the Certification Examination Objectives to review the examination content based upon the AEA Aquatic Fitness Professional Manual (AFP Manual).  Read the manual and use the key chapter concepts and questions provided at the end of each chapter to test comprehension of the information.  The ability to correctly answer these questions demonstrates the necessary level of understanding to move to the next stage in the preparation process. 

•    6-8 Months Prior:  A minimum of 6 months practical experience is recommended.  Those seeking certification should participate in classes led by other AEA Certified Professionals and apprentice with an experienced AEA Certified Professional.  The Aquatic Fitness Professional Certification Practical Applications DVD also provides an in-depth practical demonstration (deck instruction and views of participants – including underwater footage) of the information found in the AFP Manual.  Candidates are specifically seeking to understand and practice skills in the areas of:  choreography, cueing and deck teaching; moving to the music and various water tempos; monitoring participant safety; and maximizing the training benefits in the water by mastering concepts such as inertia, acceleration, frontal resistance and levers.  To further reinforce these concepts, it is recommended that candidates attend Continuing Education Workshop(s) led by AEA Approved Continuing Education Provider(s).  For information regarding current AEA Approved CEC Providers visit: www.aeawave.com and click on the education link.

•    3-6 Months Prior: Offered through Human Kinetics, the AEA Online Prep Course is an interactive online educational course for candidates preparing to earn the AEA Aquatic Fitness Professional Examination.  It includes a course pre-test, unit quizzes and a course test to confirm your understanding of the material and assist you with the Certification Examination.  Course content includes exercise anatomy & physiology, applied anatomy, physical fitness, aquatic environment, physical laws, aquatic fitness equipment, aquatic fitness choreography, deep water exercise, exercise programming & leadership as well as other related topics pertaining to exercise instruction.  Candidates should expect a minimum of 30 hours to complete this online course.  There are no prerequisites for this online course.  The interactive course design allows one to start and stop as desired as well as the ability to repeat units in order to focus on areas of difficulty.  For detailed Online Prep Course information visit: http://www.aquaticeducationcenter.com/.

•    0-3 Months Prior:  Intently review the Aquatic Fitness Professional Manual, focusing on areas of difficulty, and the Aquatic Fitness Professional Certification Practical Applications DVD to practice deck instruction skills and program design.

The AFP Practical & Skill Applications course may be completed at anytime, but candidates often choose to attend the course the same day as taking the Certification Examination in order to tie together the theoretical and practical concepts.  This interactive program is designed to reinforce the knowledge learned in the AEA Certification Prep Course and involves activity both on land and in the pool. This course reviews the practical and skill related aspects of aquatic fitness leadership including deck instruction, applied anatomy, physical laws and muscle actions as related to aquatic fitness equipment.  Although optional, AEA highly recommends that all candidates seeking certification participate in this course.  There are no prerequisites for this course. 


Certification Candidate Eligibility Criteria and Application Process

Eligibility
•    Candidates must be at least 18 years of age. Candidates under 18 years of age must contact AEA and will be required to provide parental/legal guardian consent.
•    Candidates must provide proof of current and valid CPR and AED certification.  If the candidate does not have current CPR/AED certification, he/she may take the examination but the certificate will be held until CPR/AED certification documentation is provided.

Application Process
•    Candidates must complete the AFPC Application prior to registering for any scheduled certification examination.  Information submitted on the AFPC Application form is kept strictly confidential. Application can be found at the bottom of this page.
•    It is highly recommended that Candidates apply at least 30 days prior to the examination date.  Absolutely no candidate applications will be accepted within 14 days of examination date. 

Special Assistance
AEA will assist with special arrangements for Examination Candidates who have a medical and/or learning disability that may prevent taking the examination under standard conditions.

Candidates requiring special assistance due to a disability must complete the Certification Examination Disability Assistance Form (See Appendix B).  During the online application, you will be prompted to select Certification Examination Disability Assistance and the form will then be emailed to you separately for completion.  If you are applying by mail, please request the Disability Assistance Form with your Application to assure that it is submitted within the required timeframe. The form and necessary documentation must be received no later than 30 days prior to the examination date.  In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), documentation of the disability, from a qualified health care provider, must be submitted with this completed form.  AEA reserves the right to review and evaluate the request and will make every effort to provide the requested accommodations when feasible. 

On-Site Exam Day Information
•    Candidates will sign in with the Exam Administrator at the examination site.
•    Candidates NOT participating in the Practical & Skill Applications course offered prior to the Examination must arrive by 3:30 pm.
•    Photo identification is required from all exam candidates at the examination site.
•    Cell phones are not permitted in any examination room.
•    Candidates must bring No. 2 pencils to complete the examination.