Steps to Obtaining Group-related Registrations

(Group Fitness Leader, Aquatic Fitness Leader, Yoga Fitness Leader or Pilates Fitness Leader)

Thank you for your interest in becoming a BCRPA-registered fitness professional. The BCRPA is the exclusive provider in BC of the National Fitness Leadership Alliance (NFLA) Performance Standards, which are among the highest in Canada for the credentialing of fitness professionals.

Your registration as a fitness leader with the BCRPA will provide you with a number of benefits. For a list of those benefits, please go here.

Please complete the following steps (in the listed order, and according to the time limits described in the table below) to become a BCRPA Registered Fitness Leader in one of the group-related registrations – Group Fitness, Aquatic Fitness, Pilates Fitness or Yoga Fitness.

(For the steps to registration as a BCRPA Weight Training Leader or Personal Trainer, click here)

Prior to writing the Fitness Theory exam in step 1, most Fitness Leader candidates enroll in a Fitness Theory course. A list of BCRPA approved courses can be found here.

Step 1
Pass the BCRPA Fitness Theory Examination 
($70.00 exam fee for each attempt)
 
After you pass the BCRPA Fitness Theory Examination you will have one year from your exam date to get registered in Fitness Theory (step 3 below).
 
Exams can be arranged through course providers offering BCRPA approved courses, through the BCRPA office, or through special arrangements with an exam proctor. For more information about exam proctoring follow this link.
 
For more information about the exam follow this link.
Step 2
Obtain CPR and First Aid Certifications
 
Fitness Leaders are required to have a current CPR certification (level A or higher) and a current First Aid certification (Emergency First Aid or higher).
 
BCRPA Registered Fitness Leaders and specialty module course participants are required to have current CPR and First Aid certifications at all times. These certifications must come from the following organizations or from companies who are authorized by them to provide these certifications: Red Cross, St. John’s Ambulance, Canadian Ski Patrol, the Lifesaving Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
 
Note: The BCRPA does not accept online CPR or First Aid certifications. Training must be done in a classroom setting.
Step 3
Register with BCRPA in Fitness Theory
($95.00 fee)
 
The registration form can be found here. Please read through the form and submit all required paperwork, and the payment. This registration must be completed within one year of your Fitness Theory exam date AND before you register for any specialty module course.
 
The $95.00 initial registration fee provides you with your first year of BCRPA Fitness Program registration.
 
Once your registration is processed, you will receive a certificate that states that you are registered with the BCRPA in Fitness Theory.  It will have an expiry
date on it, which will be one year from your registration date.
 
You have until your Fitness Theory Registration expiry date to complete steps 4-9 below and become registered in your first specialty module.
 
If you do not complete steps 4-9 prior to your Fitness Theory registration expiry date, please repeat steps 1-3 and then contact the BCRPA for more information at bcrpa@bcrpa.bc.ca.
Step 4
Choose a Specialty Module
 
Once you have received your Fitness Leader – Fitness Theory certificate you can register for one of the following specialty module courses: Group Fitness, Aquatic Fitness, Yoga Fitness or Pilates Fitness.
 
If you’re not sure which one interests you, check out some information on the Scope of Practice for each specialty module: click here.
 
Step 5
Register for Chosen Specialty Module Course 
 
The BCRPA maintains a list of offerings of all approved courses, across all specialty modules, in BC.
 
Choose a course provider (or more than one) from that list and contact them for more information about course length, dates, times, pre-requisites and fees.  Then select the course, and course provider, that suit your situation best.
 
Let them know what your Fitness Theory registration expiry date is and make sure that you are choosing a course that allows you sufficient time to complete all requirements, including completion of document processing at the BCRPA office, before your expiry date.
 
To see the current list of independently offered, approved courses, please go here.
 
Step 6
Ensure that You Have All Pre-Requisites for Selected Course
 
Current BCRPA Fitness Theory registration, current CPR and current First Aid are all pre-requisites for the group-related specialty module courses (as well as for steps 7 and 8 that follow). It is your responsibility to make sure you have the certificates to demonstrate that you have met those pre-requisites before beginning your selected specialty module course.
 
Independent course providers who offer BCRPA approved courses should be able to answer any questions you may have about the pre-requisites, or you can email a BCRPA staff member directly.
 
Step 7
Complete all Requirements for that Specialty Module Course
 
BCRPA-approved courses have both classroom theory components and practical, hands-on components. Depending on the course and/or the instructor, there may be quizzes, exams and projects that must be completed as well.
 
Check with your course provider regarding the requirements for your chosen course.

Keep in mind that you also must complete steps 4-9 prior to your Fitness Theory registration expiration date. 
 
If you don’t complete steps 4-9 before your expiry date, you will be required to repeat some of the steps to registration.  Please contact the BCRPA for more information.
Step 8
Complete all practicum and Instructor Competency Evaluation (ICE) Requirements for your chosen Specialty Module
 
Following the completion of your specialty module course, you are required to complete 8 hours of practicum teaching as well as specific ICE requirements for your chosen module.
 
** Important Requirements Change: The 8 hours of practicum teaching must be completed prior to completing the ICE package. The timeframe to complete the practicum teaching hours has been extended to a maximum of 365 days during the Fitness Theory registration period.
 
Please note that the specialty module course must be completed before starting the practicum hours.
 
To download the necessary practicum and ICE forms, go here.
 
 
Step 9
Register with BCRPA in Your Specialty Module
 
To become registered in your new specialty module, you must submit copies (please do not send in originals) of the following paperwork to the BCRPA before your Fitness Theory registration expiry date:
 
  • Current BCRPA Registration Certificate in Fitness Theory
  • Current CPR and First Aid Certificates
  • Specialty Module Course Completion Certificate from your independent course provider
  • Completed ICE package with instructor/evaluator signatures and dates
 
Provided all documents are in order, you will receive a new BCRPA registration certificate and wallet card in the mail as well as instructions on how to maintain your registration with the BCRPA. Congratulations! You are a registered Fitness Leader!