Steps to Becoming a Fitness Leader

Individuals must complete the following steps to become a BCRPA Registered Fitness Leader. Prior to taking your initial step, 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 fee)

Exams can be arranged through BCRPA approved Fitness Theory course conductors, through the BCRPA office or through special arrangements with an exam proctor.

For more information about the exam follow this link.

For more information about exam proctoring follow this link.

If you pass the BCRPA Fitness Theory Examination you will have one year from your Fitness Theory exam date to complete steps 2 and 3. If you do not complete these steps within this year you will need to rewrite the BCRPA Fitness Theory Examination and pay the $70.00 exam fee again.

 

Step 2

Obtain CPR and First Aid Certifications
BCRPA Registered Fitness Leaders and registration candidates 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 to provide these certifications by these organizations: Red Cross, St. John’s Ambulance, Canadian Ski Patrol, the Lifesaving Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Note: BCRPA does NOT accept online CPR or First Aid certifications

Fitness Leaders are required to have a minimum of CPR-A certification and either Emergency First Aid or Standard First Aid certification.

 

Step 3

Submit BCRPA Fitness Leader – Fitness Theory Registration Form ($95.00 fee)
This form can be found here. Please read through the form and submit all required paperwork and payments. This 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 one year of registration with BCRPA. You will be sent a certificate of registration and a wallet card. These will both list your registration expiration date which will be one year from your initial registration date. You have until that date to complete steps 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. If you do not complete these steps prior to your registration expiration date, you will have to repeat all steps from Step 1 again.

Your registration with BCRPA also provides you with a number of benefits. For a list of benefits, please go here.

 

Step 4

Choose a Specialty Module
After you have received your Fitness Leader – Fitness Theory certificate you can then register for one of the following specialty modules: Group Fitness, Aquatic Fitness, Yoga Fitness, Pilates Fitness, and Weight Training (a pre-requisite for Personal Training).

For information on the Scope of Practice for specialty modules click here.

 

Step 5

Register for Chosen Specialty Module with BCRPA Approved Course Provider
For your convenience, the BCRPA maintains an ongoing list of approved courses across all specialty modules. Choose a course provider from the list and contact them for more information about course length, dates, times, pre-requisites and fees. Let your course provider know what your registration expiration date is and make sure that you are choosing a course that allows you sufficient time to complete all requirements, including document processing time at the BCRPA office, before you expire.

To see the current course listings, please go here.

 

Step 6

Complete All Pre-Requisites for Enrollment in Selected Specialty Module
There are pre-requisites for each specialty module and it is your responsibility to make sure you have met all pre-requisites before beginning your selected specialty module. Your BCRPA Approved Course Provider 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 Course Requirements for that Specialty Module
Approved courses have both classroom theory components and practical, hands on components. Depending on the course and/or the instructor, there are quizzes, exams and projects that must be completed as well. Check with your Approved BCRPA Course Provider regarding the requirements for your chosen course.

You will have 120 days from the completion date of your course to do Steps 7, 8 and 9. Keep in mind that you also must complete these steps prior to your registration expiration date.

 

Step 8

Complete all practicum and Instructor Competency Evaluation (ICE) Requirements for that Specialty Module
Following the completion of your specialty module course, you are provided with 120 days of temporary insurance in order to complete the practicum requirements for your chosen module.

To download your ICE Package, go here.

Please note: If you do not complete all practicum components and submit all required documentation to the BCRPA for registration in your new specialty within 120 days of your course completion date as mentioned in Step 7, you will have to repeat steps 6, 7, 8 and 9 again. If you do not complete all registration steps in a Specialty Module before the registration expiration date on your BCRPA Registered Fitness Leader – Fitness Theory certificate/wallet card, then you will have to repeat all steps from Step 1. There are no exceptions to these time limits because of insurance provider policies.

 

Step 9

Register with BCRPA in Your Specialty Module
To become registered in your new specialty module, you must submit proof (copies, not originals) of the following to BCRPA before your registration expiration date:

  • Current BCRPA Registration Certificate in Fitness Theory
  • Current CPR and First Aid Certificates
  • Course Completion Certificate in a specialty module from your course conductor
  • Completed ICE package with instructor/evaluator signatures and dates
  • Any examination scores required for your chosen specialty module

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 BCRPA.