What is Registration

This page documents, in some detail, what a registration system is, and specifically how being registered differs from just being qualified.  Those wishing to see the benefits of registration, either as a members of the public or a person wishing to become registered, may wish to view the What is REPs page.  Those wishing to become registered may wish to view the Registration page.

What is Registration?

Registration provides a simple independent verification that a person or organisation meets the current standards to perform their role.  Registration is common in many professions including doctors (and most medical professions), teachers, lawyers, electricians etc.  In fact almost all industries that have reached a high level of professionalism have a registration system of some sort.

While some registration systems are compulsory (such as most medical roles), the vast majority of registration systems are voluntary, meaning registration is even more important as people who are not registered still often claim that they are "professional" or "qualified".  The only true test is registration with the industry recognised body (in this case REPs). 

Registration is becoming increasingly common in the exercise industry, with over 30 countries around the world already, at various stages of developing registration systems, and an international network already exists through the International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals (ICREPs). REPs UK has over 20,000 registered exercise professionals, and has been in place since the early 1990's.  REPs NZ has been in place in New Zealand since 2001, and registers around 2,000 individuals and over 100 facilities.

Registration with REPs is an ongoing process, and requires annual re-registration.  This ensures an exercise professional/facility registered with REPs meets the standards required to register now (not last year).  More details on this can be found below under elements of registration.

Qualification vs Registration

Obtaining a particular qualification is a one off process, and forms PART of the requirements for registration.  Registration involves two other important criteria of ongoing education and compliance with a code of ethics that are outlined in detail under The Elements of Registration below.

One of the key differences between registration and qualification, that of being up to date, can be illustrated through an example:

• A drivers licence in New Zealand is similar to obtaining a qualification.  There is a series of tests and exams early on and then a drivers licence is issued.  There is no re-checking of any skills or knowledge when a licence is renewed, even if the road rules have changed.  This perhaps explains why so many people do not, for example, understand the rules around indicating at round-abouts, or why uncontrolled intersections confuse many people.
• A car Warrant of Fitness (WOF) is more similar to a registration process.  Every time a WOF is issued, the vehicle is checked to ensure it meets the current standards required to be on the road.  Not only are all the requirements rechecked each time, but if a new requirement is introduced (such as having a centrally mounted rear brake light that was introduced in the 1990's) then a car must meet these new standards also.

Just as importantly, registration ensures that any qualification a person does have is suitable for performing the role for which they are registered.  As an example, simply "having a degree in sport" is not sufficient to register with REPs, as many sports based degrees do not cover the full requirements of REPs registration (such as knowledge of exercise prescription, or understanding client needs).  In some cases a course such as a certificate that is shorter but tailored to a specific role may even contain more relevant training than a longer course.  Rather than members of the public or employers having to work out which courses cover the requirements (or even what is required), REPs provides this services to ensure only those with adequate and full training in all the required areas will be able to register with REPs.

The Elements of Registration

For an exercise professional

A person registering with REPs must meet three important criteria, and continue to meet them each year when they re-register:

1. Initial Qualifications ensuring they are competent to undertake their role (a list automatically approved by REPs can be found here)
2. Ongoing education to ensure they keep up to date (a list of courses can be found here)
3. Follow the REPs Code of Conduct to protect all involved

Initial qualifications are reviewed in detail by REPs and matched against the REPs standards, along with the international standards required to perform the functions of the level than an exercise professional is registering.

Ongoing education is measured via a process called Continuing Education Credits (CECs), with all persons required to do at least 30 CECs each year.  This process is outlined in more detail on the REPs CEC page.

The industry code of conduct is written to ensure members of the public are offered protection when using a Registered Exercise Professional, which is far higher than that provided by the law.  Non registered individuals are not bound by this code.

A person who does not meet the REPs standards, or is deemed unsuitable to continue to work in the industry, will not be accepted by REPs for (re)registration. 

For an exercise facility 

An exercise facility that registers with REPs agrees to two important criteria:

(1) Ensuring that all⁽ⁱ⁾ individuals at the facility (employers, contractors or persons using the facility on a casual basis) that provide any exercise advice or demonstration, are registered at the appropriate level with REPs⁽ⁱⁱ⁾

(2) Agreeing to follow the industry code of conduct, as set by FitnessNZ, This code gives members of the public additional rights above and beyond that offered by the law, as well as the ability to lodge a formal complaint about a facility if a person believes a facility has breached this code.

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