ACCREDITED PROGRAMME PATHWAY

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

PATHWAY 1: ACCREDITED PROGRAMME PATHWAY

This is a streamlined pathway for recent graduates (within the last 24 months) from an academic training programme externally accredited by ESSA (Exercise & Sports Science Australia) or CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs). These external accreditations ensure that the CEP programme meets the high standards of the profession.

Steps to Membership

Required Evidence: Official Academic Transcript(s) (For all relevant tertiary study)

Unofficial copies of transcripts, graduation certificated and/or testamurs cannot be accepted. The transcript must state “completed”, “conferred”, or “awarded”.

To be eligible for Professional Membership via the Accredited Programme Pathway, you must meet the following criteria across three areas: academic qualifications, clinical experience, and training in basic life support.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

You must hold tertiary qualifications equivalent to at least four years of full-time study with a specific major in clinical exercise physiology.

Your academic programme must include extensive training in the assessment, prescription, and delivery of therapeutic exercise to a broad range of clinical populations and be externally accredited by ESSA (Exercise & Sports Science Australia) or CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs).

You can check if your programme has external accreditation by checking the links below

Required Evidence: documented clinical experience (e.g., a logbook, a signed letter from the placement provider, any other document that meets the requirements below)

CEPNZ highly recommends applicants use the CEPNZ Professional Portfolio to record their clinical experience

The evidence supplied should include the following information:

Date range and duration of time spent at the placement site
Description of the practicum/professional practice site
Description of your role and responsibilities
Breakdown of the time working with each clinical population
Examples of Exercise Assessment and Prescription and Delivery completed
Description of the client outcomes achieved
A signature from the supervisor along with details of their: profession, qualifications and experience in exercise delivery.

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

You must have accumulated and provide evidence of at least 500 hours of supervised clinical training.

Supervised work experience is usually completed throughout your degree. The purpose is to allow you to develop and demonstrate competence in applying your professional knowledge and skills in a real-world setting. We will consider experience completed after completion of tertiary study, so long as it aligns with the practicum requirements outlined below.

The minimum practicum requirements to meet the eligibility requirements are:

Hours

A minimum of 500 hours undertaken in a variety of activities to attain competency in exercise assessment, prescription, and delivery in clinical populations.
Experience should cover a broad range of diagnoses, including but not limited to: cardiac, metabolic, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, neurological, chronic pain, cancer, psychological, and renal conditions.
Hours do not need to be evenly split across different areas of practice or clinical populations but should meet clinical competency requirements.
All activities must involve active engagement, not observation.

Supervision

At least 360 practicum hours must be supervised by a current registered clinical exercise physiologist (CEPNZ, ESSA, ACSM).
Up to 140 hours may be supervised by a registered allied health professional who holds an externally recognised formal qualification for the activity they are supervising, and relevant to the client condition they are servicing (e.g. cardiac rehab nurse, respiratory physiologist).

BASIC LIFE SUPPORT

You must hold a current certificate in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training from a recognised provider.

Required Evidence: A current certificate in Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillator training from a recognised provider.

Applicants must demonstrate their competency to practice safely and effectively in the New Zealand context.

All applicants are required to show they have developed the necessary theoretical knowledge, skills, and experience as detailed in the CEPNZ Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist Competency Standards.

You will be asked to achieve a passing grade in the CEPNZ Theory Examination. This exam consists of multiple-choice questions focused on foundational exercise physiology theory and open-ended short answer questions based on typical clinical practice scenarios.

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