CLINICAL EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY NEW ZEALAND
MEMBERSHIP POLICIES
MAINTAINING YOU MEMBERSHIP
Membership is an ongoing commitment to the profession and your own professional development. This page outlines the key requirements for maintaining your membership in good standing.
ASSOCIATE, AFFILIATE, AND STUDENT MEMBERS
Maintaining your membership is a straightforward process designed to keep you connected to the CEPNZ community.
Your key responsibilities are:
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Annual Renewal: Ensure you renew your membership and pay your annual fees by the due date each year to maintain access to all member benefits.
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Keep Details Current: Update your contact information with CEPNZ whenever it changes so you don't miss important communications, event invitations, or renewal notices.
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Uphold the Code of Conduct: All members, regardless of category, are expected to act professionally and abide by the CEPNZ Code of Ethics.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS
Maintaining Professional Membership involves a higher level of professional responsibility to ensure public safety and uphold the standards of the profession.
In addition to the requirements above (annual renewal, current details, and upholding the Code of Ethics), you must also meet the following ongoing requirements:
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Hold an Annual Practising Certificate (APC)
Professional Membership with CEPNZ is the primary pathway to obtaining and maintaining an Annual Practising Certificate (APC) with the Clinical Physiologists Registration Board (CPRB). An APC is a requirement to hold Professional membership with CEPNZ. You must renew your APC directly with the CPRB each year. -
Meet annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Requirements
To ensure you remain current with the latest evidence and practices, you are required to complete Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities in line with requirement form the CPRB. Your CPD activities should be relevant to your area of practice and aim to enhance your clinical competency. You are responsible for logging your CPD and may be required to provide evidence during a random audit. -
Maintain Recency of Practice
To ensure your clinical skills and knowledge remain current, you must actively practice in the field. The minimum requirement is to complete at least 1000 hours of clinical practice over each 5-year period. If you anticipate taking a break from practice, please refer to the Leave of Absence Policy. -
Adherence to Professional Standards
As a representative of the profession, you must continuously practice in accordance with the CEPNZ Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist Competency Standards and the CEPNZ Code of Ethics.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
This policy outlines the process for Professional Members who intend to take a temporary leave from clinical practice (e.g., parental leave, study, research, travel). A leave of absence is designed for members who are not practicing clinically for a set period but intend to return to the profession.
APPLYING FOR A LEAVE OF ABSENCE
If you wish to take a leave of absence, you must notify CEPNZ in writing of your intention. Your application will be reviewed by the CEPNZ Board, and you will be provided with an official approval letter from CEPNZ.
It is your responsibility to forward your CEPNZ approval letter to the Clinical Physiologists Registration Board (CPRB) to place your registration on hold. This allows the CPRB to update your status on the public register.
Once approved, your standard leave of absence is valid for up to two years.
DURING YOUR LEAVE OF ABSENCE
During an approved leave of absence, your membership category will be changed from Professional Member to Associate Member. This allows you to maintain your connection to CEPNZ and access member benefits (e.g., discounted events, newsletters) without the continuing professional development (CPD) and recency of practice requirements of a Professional Membership.
EXTENDING LEAVE OF ABSENCE
You must apply to CEPNZ in writing to extend your LOA beyond the initial two-year period. Extension applications are considered on an individual basis. Approved extensions will include a requirement to undertake specific CPD and agree to a plan for supervision/mentoring upon your return to work.
Leave of absence extensions are granted on a one-year basis, up to a maximum of three additional years (totalling a maximum 5-year leave period).
RETURN TO PRACTICE
Prior to your approved LOA end date, or if you wish to return to practice early, you are required to email CEPNZ to inform them of your intention.
Within 2 years
If you are returning to clinical practice within your approved two-year LOA period you must write to CEPNZ informing them of your return, clearly stating your date of return and your place of work. You must also contact the CPRB directly to apply for the re-instatement of your APC. For a leave of absence period of two years or less, no restrictions or conditions will be applied to your registration.
After an extended LOA of up to 5 years
Before your LOA extension expires, or if you return to work earlier you must inform CEPNZ in writing of your return to work start date and place of work. You will then begin your agreed-upon return-to-practice plan. Typically, Professional Members who return to work after more than 2 years will be required to complete a period of mentorship/supervision and this will be added as a condition on your APC.
After 5 or more years
If you have not been working in the industry for five years or more, your leave of absence will expire, and you will no longer be on the register. If you intend to return to clinical practice, you must re-apply for Professional Membership with CEPNZ. You must complete a new membership application form and pay the Eligibility Assessment Fee. You are only required to re-submit evidence of certification in Basic Life Support and AED training. You will be required to complete a Competency Examination based on the evidence submitted as part of your Competency Assessment Desktop Review. A plan for supervision/mentoring upon your return to work may be required.
No Longer Planning to Practice?
If you decide to permanently leave the clinical exercise physiology profession, please inform both CEPNZ and the CPRB in writing so you can be removed from the respective registers.
You are welcome and encouraged to remain a non-practising (Associate or Affiliate) member of CEPNZ to stay connected with the professional community.
ENDING YOUR MEMBERSHIP
While we hope you remain a member for your entire career, there are a few circumstances under which a membership with CEPNZ may come to an end.
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You choose to resign - You can end your membership at any time by sending a signed written notice to the CEPNZ Secretary.
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Your membership fees are not paid - If annual fees are not paid within 90 working days of the due date, the CEPNZ Committee may vote to end your membership. We will always send reminders before this happens.
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You bring the profession into disrepute - If the CEPNZ Committee determines that a member's actions have seriously harmed the reputation of the Society or the profession, they may vote to terminate the membership.
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As the result of a disciplinary process - Membership may be terminated following a formal dispute resolution or disciplinary process, as outlined in our complaints policy.
Membership also automatically ends in the event of a member's death.
RENEWING A LAPSED MEMBERSHIP
This section outlines the process for individuals whose CEPNZ membership has lapsed and who wish to rejoin.
ASSOCIATE, AFFILIATE, AND STUDENT MEMBERS
If your membership has lapsed, the process for renewal is the same as applying for a new membership. Please refer to the relevant section of this guide and complete a new application via the CEPNZ website. You will be required to pay the standard application and membership fees.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS
The renewal process for a lapsed Professional Membership depends on the length of time your membership has been lapsed.
If your membership has lapsed for less than 2 years
You must complete a new membership application form and pay the Eligibility Assessment Fee. You are required to re-submit evidence of certification in Basic Life Support and AED training but a Competency Assessment is typically not required. You will be required to pay the annual membership fee upon approval.
If your membership has lapsed for 2 to 5 years
You must complete a new membership application form and pay the Eligibility Assessment Fee. You are required to re-submit evidence of recency of practice and certification in Basic Life Support and AED training. A Competency Assessment may be waived if you can provide sufficient evidence of ongoing professional development and activities related to the field during your time away (similar to the requirements for an extended Leave of Absence). If sufficient evidence is not provided, you may be required to complete a Competency Examination. You will be required to pay the annual membership fee upon approval.
If your membership has lapsed for more than 5 years
You must complete a new membership application form and pay the Eligibility Assessment Fee. You are only required to re-submit evidence of recency of practice and certification in Basic Life Support and AED training. You will be required to complete a Competency Examination based on the evidence submitted as part of your Competency Assessment Desktop Review.