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REPs Full & Provisional Status

Introduction
Unlike many other registers where you are either on or off, the REPs has three levels depending on your qualification and industry experience. At levels 2 and 3 there are different sections that are used to match to individual qualifications and areas of practice.

Late in 2004 there is likely to be a new level 4 introduced and a re-definition of some of the special population groups under medium and high-risk referrals following the review of the level 3 standards.

When applying to join the REPs we ask that you provide a list of your relevant qualifications. We also suggest in relevant circumstances that you submit a short CV that gives us an idea of who you are, and what you have achieved as a fitness professional. The registration form also asks for your job title.

All of this helps us to build a picture of you so we can, as accurately as possible, match you to your area of qualification and competency. If we have any questions we will contact you, in confidence, to discuss your position.

Provisional and Full Status
If you hold currently approved qualifications and have the relevant experience you will be given full membership to the Register. If you hold older qualifications, or have some lower level qualifications but also have areas of higher training you will be given provisional status. Around 40% of all instructors are in this position.

We recognise the immense amount of experience and knowledge that provisional status individuals may have, and we are anxious to make sure that registration does not adversely affect your ability to work in the industry. However, it is the prime principle of the REPs that entry is by qualification - so we need to make sure individuals with provisional status can quickly move to become full members.

Conversion from Provisional to Full
We have a clear objective to help our members to improve their qualifications and skills. The industry is extremely diverse, and not surprisingly, many of our members have been given provisional status in fact, as many as 40%. This has happened when someone has not fully fitted to all of our technical criteria for fully entry, as explained in our membership section of this Website click here.

To 'convert' someone from provisional to full membership requires that individual to demonstrate their competency through examination and practical assessment. For some time we have been talking to industry leaders, training providers and the government to develop a major programme of conversion. If you currently have provisional status at either levels 1, 2 or 3 the Register will be working with you to help you to 'convert' to a full qualification.

The government and industry are keen to make sure that everyone has the skills and competencies to do their job. This is why the Register has been taking time to involve important stakeholders in the industry before starting the conversion programme. It will require a large number of organisations and individuals to make sure that the correct training and qualifications will be available to help all of the thousands of fitness professionals who have provisional entry.

The Register has excellent support from training providers, awarding bodies, operators, suppliers and government and this programme will be an impressive opportunity for fitness professionals to participate in probably the largest piece of work-based learning ever seen in the fitness industry. The Register will provide the framework, co-ordination, direction and context for this programme to be realised, although many other organisations will also play crucial roles.

The most important people in the whole process will be the individuals taking part, and a full commitment will certainly be required. Several thousand members of the Register will need to undertake the conversion process in co-operation with training providers, employers, suppliers and the Register. The whole programme is likely to last 2 years, or more.

Further information will be provided in our newsletters and e-zines.