Support Freelance Exercise Professionals to Obtain Certificates to Register on National Registry of Exercise Professionals

Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth whether the Ministry will (i) support freelancing exercise professionals to obtain the certifications to register on the National Registry of Exercise Professionals (NREP) and (ii) work with industry stakeholders, such as registered fitness coaching businesses and gyms, to better understand how to utilise the NREP appropriately as the registration of exercise professional in the NREP is not mandatory.

Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai: Sport Singapore will launch the National Registry of Exercise Professionals (NREP) in phases, as part of the longer-term strategy to professionalise the fitness industry and build capabilities, especially in the areas of safety and knowledge.

In the first phase, from April 2023 to March 2024, exercise professionals, including freelancers, may register for the NREP as long as they (i) have Standard First Aid with Automated External Defibrillator & Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation certification; (ii) acknowledge the Exercise Professional's Code of Ethics; and (iii) have relevant fitness or exercise accreditations, such as Personal Trainer, Yoga, Zumba, or general ones, like group fitness instructor.

Exercise professionals who do not possess the Standard First Aid certification will still be able to register for a provisional NREP membership, which entitles them to subsidised rates for the certification. This subsidised certification is provided for under the free one-year National Instructors and Coaches Association (NICA) membership that all NREP members are eligible for during the first phase of the NREP. NICA membership provides exercise professionals with access to training support and grants, among other benefits.

In addition, the Sport Singapore (SportSG) has been engaging over 400 exercise professionals, gyms and fitness coaching businesses and working with industry stakeholders, such as the Singapore Fitness Alliance (SFA), to raise their awareness of the NREP and its benefits, and encourage businesses to have their exercise professionals sign up on the NREP, as well as consider NREP as a criterion for hiring. Overall, the response has been positive towards the NREP. SportSG, together with NICA and SFA, will continue to engage the stakeholders through all implementation phases of the NREP.