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Chartered Fellow/Member of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity

Regulators
  • Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity
Nations
United Kingdom
Sectors
  • Other

Regulatory or professional bodies

Chartered body

Address

SportPark
Loughborough University
3 Oakwood Drive
Loughborough
LE11 3QF

Email address
info@cimspa.co.uk
Phone number
+44 (0)3438 360 200

Regulation

Regulation summary

The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) is the professional development body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector. CIMSPA is committed to supporting, developing and enabling the sector’s professionals and organisations to succeed and, as a result, inspire the nation to become more active.

CIMSPA is the only professional body in the UK that provides chartered status for the sport and physical sector. Becoming a CIMSPA member signals an individual’s dedication to best practice and continued development.

There are eight routes to membership:

Practitioner - For personal trainers, group exercise instructors, gym instructors, sports coaches (including advanced), coaching assistants, swimming teachers, lifeguards, recreation assistants, tai chi and qigong instructors and exercise referral professionals.

Manager – For all managers, from aspiring to senior.

CIMSPA Practitioner and Manager members (other than Aspiring Manager) are awarded professional recognition which provides confirmation and confidence to their employers, colleagues, clients and the public that they have achieved the required qualifications and CPD to excel in their role.

Associate – For yoga and pilates instructors.

Student – For those who have or are working towards a CIMSPA-endorsed qualification.

Graduate - For those who have a CIMSPA-endorsed degree.

Affiliate – For those who have an interest in the sport and physical activity sector but do not hold a professionally-recognised qualification.

Companion – Awarded by CIMSPA’s Board of Trustees to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the achievement of the objects of the Institute.

Retired – Available to individuals who held an active CIMSPA membership with professional recognition at the point of retirement.

Practitioner or Manager members with professional recognition are able to progress to Chartered membership. Manager members with professional recognition can also progress to Fellow or Chartered Fellow membership. Senior Activity and Health Practitioners who transferred to CIMSPA from REPS were also awarded Fellow status.

Chartered status is a mark of distinction awarded to those who have demonstrated true excellence, innovation and impact within their field. A Chartered member meets the sector standards with qualifications and experience that underpin their multiple areas of expertise and outstanding competencies.

Regulation type

Accreditation

Reserved activities

None - restrictions apply to use of title only

Protected titles

CIMSPA awards postnominals which can only be used by practitioner or manager members who meet and maintain the requirements of the relevant membership category. These postnominals are as follows:

• MCIMSPA for a Member;
• FCIMSPA for a Fellow;
• CCIMSPA for a Companion;
• MCIMSPA (Chartered) for a Chartered Member;
• FCIMSPA (Chartered) for a Chartered Fellow.

More about regulated activities and titles
https://www.cimspa.co.uk/join-us/membership-for-individuals/

Qualifications and experience

New professionals

Routes to qualification

A full list of endorsed professional standards, qualifications and degrees, as well as routes to membership, can be found on CIMSPA’s website.

In general, Practitioner members are required to hold a relevant occupational qualification certificate issued by a recognised awarding organisation. If this is older than five years, evidence of CPD completed within the last five years is required. However, this differs slightly for some membership categories so please check the CIMSPA website for further details.

The requirements for Manager members differ depending on the level of Manager, but include the submission of a CV and the name of a referee, along with details of endorsed qualifications which meet the relevant professional standard or, depending on the length of experience or the age of the endorsed qualification, evidence of CPD completed.

Yoga or Pilates Instructor Associates must hold a Yoga or Pilates Instructor qualification certificate issued by a recognised awarding organisation. If this is older than five years, evidence of CPD completed within the last five years is required. For alternative qualifications, a signed letter of support is required on letterheaded paper from the Training Provider or Teacher confirming that the individual has achieved the minimum areas of practice, (200 hours of training with 160 hours of direct contact with a mentor or teacher covering anatomy, physiology, psychology, self-awareness, safety and care, practical skills of teaching, planning, evaluation, adaptations).

Student or Graduate members must submit details of their course and education provider. Graduates must hold a CIMSPA-endorsed higher education qualification or degree certificate.

If a qualification has not been mapped to the industry professional standards, an individual holding that qualification may submit their portfolio of evidence for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process, for further information please email info@cimspa.co.uk. Awarding Organisations or Training Provider Partners who wish to submit one of their qualifications for mapping and endorsement can find out more here: https://www.cimspa.co.uk/join-us/partnership-for-organisations/training-provider/

More about qualification
https://www.cimspa.co.uk/directory/

Professionals from outside the UK

Recognition for professionals outside the UK
Some - qualifications from some countries may be recognised, but professionals from other countries will have to re-qualify
Summary of routes

CIMSPA has an agreement with EREPS / REPS Ireland and can accept a Letter of Portability from either organisation provided it is transferrable to the individual’s chosen CIMSPA membership category.

For qualifications completed in a country outside of EREPS or REPS Ireland’s jurisdiction, further support can be provided upon submission of a letter of portability or copy of the qualification confirming the country of issue.


Registration

Registration requirements

Individuals who meet the requirements for membership should apply online, and will be required to pay the relevant annual membership fee which varies depending on the membership category. Members are required to agree to abide by the CIMSPA Member Code of Conduct. Membership can be maintained by paying the annual membership fee, and all members are required to maintain or expand their skills, knowledge and expertise through undertaking sufficient relevant continuous professional development (CPD) each year. Details of CIMSPA’s CPD Policy can be found here: https://www.cimspa.co.uk/education-training/education-policy/education-policies/cimspa-cpd-policy-home/

Senior Manager Fellow membership can be awarded to managers who are working at a strategic level. If an individual meets the requirements for this when they apply for membership, they will be informed and given the option of joining in this membership category.

If a member wishes to apply for Chartered status, they are required to complete an online enquiry form and will then be contacted by CIMSPA to explain the process in detail. Applicants will be allocated a Chartered Process Assessor who will provide support in the lead up to the professional discussion assessment. There is a one-off cost for a chartered application as well as annual membership fees.


Legislation

Title of relevant act or charter

The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity exists by incorporation under Royal Charter.

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