ALTERNATE P...

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

PATHWAY 3: ALTERNATE PATHWAY

This pathway is for applicants who do not meet the criteria for Pathway 1 or 2. This includes those who:

Completed their academic training from a non-accredited academic programme.
Graduated more than two years ago from an ESSA or CAAHEP accredited academic programme.
Are registered with a professional organisation other than ACSM or ESSA.

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.

CEPNZ prefers a postgraduate qualification majoring in clinical exercise physiology. For example, a bachelor’s degree in science/exercise science PLUS either a one-year postgraduate diploma or a two-year master’s degree majoring in clinical exercise physiology. Other programme structures may be eligible, such as a named 4-year Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology (BCEP) or a PhD with a specific clinical focus. Degrees that cover clinical exercise physiology competencies but are not named as a clinical exercise physiology degree will be considered as long as the applicant to provide evidence that the required competencies are met.

Regardless of the degree structure, your academic programme must include extensive training in the assessment, prescription, and delivery of therapeutic exercise to a broad range of clinical populations as detailed in the CEPNZ Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist Competency Standards.

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).

RECENCY OF PRACTICE

Practicum hours completed during tertiary study are sufficient evidence of recency of practice when the membership application is within 2 years of study completion.

If applying for Professional membership more than 2 years after study completion, then applicants must demonstrate how they have maintained competency by providing evidence of:

At least 1000 hours of practice over the previous 5-year period;
No more than 3 years without practice; and
Practice verified by an appropriately qualified supervisor.

Practice is any role, paid or unpaid, using knowledge and skills within the CEPNZ Professional Scope of Practice. For example, providing CEP services to patients, education related to CEP, management/administration, research, advisory or regulatory or policy development roles.

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

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.

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.

The Competency Assessment for this pathway occurs over two stages. During the Desktop Review, you will provide evidence from your tertiary studies, work experience, continued learning, or existing professional registration/accreditation that you have developed the necessary theoretical knowledge, skills, and experience as detailed in the CEPNZ Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist Competency Standards.

Required Evidence: A biosketch that summarises your academic and practical experience demonstrating how you meet the Competency Standards.

We highly recommend you complete the CEPNZ Evidence template to provide evidence of your clinical competencies.

Optional Evidence: Copies of academic programme descriptions.

Optional Evidence: Evidence of continuing professional development

Optional Evidence: A copy of your certificate of registration/accreditation from a recognised international clinical exercise physiology organisation.

The biosketch should provide evidence for all standards. Academic and practical experience completed during tertiary study are sufficient evidence of clinical competency when the membership application is within 2 years of study completion.If applying for Professional membership more than 2 years after study completion, then applicants must demonstrate ongoing professional development.

For international applicants with registration or accreditation with an organisation other than ACSM or ESSA, registration/accreditation can be used as evidence that you meet their competency standards.

Recognised international CEP organisations

BASES – Certified Exercise Practitioner (CEP)
CSEP – Certified Exercise Physiologist (CSEP-CEP)
Biokinetics Association South Africa – Certified Biokineticist

Theory Examination
You will be required to achieve a passing grade on the CEPNZ Theory Examination. This comprehensive exam includes multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, and case study scenarios designed to assess your clinical knowledge and reasoning.

Practical Examination
Following successful completion of the Theory Examination, you must pass a skills-based, in-person Practical Examination. This exam assesses your practical skills and is hosted one to two times per year.

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