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Be Safe Sport Certified
The Safe Sport Programme and Safe Sport Unified Code are meant to safeguard participants in the sporting environment from abuse and harassment. The Safe Sport Programme will equip NREP-registered exercise professionals with the knowledge and resources on how to recognise, prevent and address harassment and abuse, and in adopting safe sport practices.
As leaders in your respective exercise/fitness disciplines, all NREP-registered exercise professionals are required to be Safe Sport certified by 1 April 2024.
Safe Sport certification can be obtained via the SportSG-ED platform. Present and prospective NREP members can create a SportSG-ED account from a self-registration page with the link given below.
Once an account has been created, search for the 'Understanding Safe Sport as a Coach' module in SportSG-ED and you can start doing the Safe Sport Programme.
For returning users, you can log back directly onto the SportSG-ED platform from the link given below. The username is the email used in the self-registration page and please refer to Step 1 and 8 in the Registration Guide for more details. For the best registration and learning experience, we recommend using a desktop or laptop.
Registration Guide
The NREP is hosted in Sport Singapore's SportSync system.
Refer to this Step-by-Step Registration Guide for the following:
- Obtaining Safe Sport certification
- ActiveSG account creation
- SportSync account access and profile updates
- NREP registration and application confirmation
- Upgrade from provisional to full NREP membership
Registration categories
There are 7 categories that an exercise professional can register themselves in NREP. An exercise professional with relevant certifications in the different categories can register themselves for multiple categories.
The 7 categories are:
- Aqua Fitness
- Dance Fitness
- HIIT, Bootcamp, Circuit
- Martial Arts & Combat
- Mind & Body
- Strength & Conditioning
- Static Cycling
Refer to this NREP Category List which provides examples of various types of classes that fall under each category.
Admission requirements
- Relevant fitness/exercise certification(s)
- Acknowledgement of Exercise Professional's Code of Ethics
- Valid Standard First Aid (with CPR + AED) certification
- Safe Sport certification (required from 1 April 2024 onwards)
Apply for NREP membership online through
Sport Singapore’s SportSync system.
Click here to apply
About the National Registry of Exercise Professionals
The fitness industry plays an important role in the national strategy towards encouraging our people to lead a healthier and more active lifestyle.
The National Registry of Exercise Professionals (NREP) is a key initiative introduced by Sport Singapore to professionalise the fitness industry and build capabilities. Rolled out in April 2023, the NREP will be introducted progressively over 3 phases.
Through the NREP, Sport Singapore hopes that all exercise professionals will be equipped with the relevant accreditations to raise the overall quality and safety standards of the fitness industry. With the implementation of the NREP:
- There will be clear safety standards and capability requirements to help the fitness sector raise its professional standards;
- Members of public can check the Registry so that they can make informed decisions and have greater assurance when engaging NREP registered exercise professionals.
All exercise professionals are strongly encouraged to register under the NREP.
What is an exercise professional
NREP registered exercise professionals are certified to plan and deliver safe and effective exercise programs. They may work independently or as part of a team and possess the knowledge and skills to support a range of clients achieve their health and fitness goals. They are a key driving force behind ensuring positive health and wellness outcomes for Singaporeans by providing expertise, knowledge and structured support. NREP registered exercise professionals are equipped with the domain knowledge to lead a broad range of fitness activities including group fitness training and/or personal fitness training using varied pieces of equipment and choreographed movements where relevant.
NREP-registered exercise professionals possess a valid Standard First Aid (CPR + AED) certification, valid fitness or exercise certification(s), Safe Sport certification, and are committed to adhere to the Exercise Professionals’ Code of Ethics. In a later Phase, SportSG will be instituting an accreditation framework. More details of this accreditation framework will be announce in due time.
Phases of the NREP
First Phase
The first phase of NREP implementation focused on raising awareness of the registry and encouraging Exercise Professionals to be registered. Sport Singapore supported exercise professionals to upskill by providing a free one-year membership to the National Instructors and Coaches Association (NICA).
To register in the first phase, exercise professionals required the following:
- Standard First Aid (with CPR + AED) certification;
- Acknowledgment of Exercise Professional's Code of Ethics;
- Relevant fitness/exercise accreditations such as Personal Trainer, Yoga, Zumba, or general ones like group fitness instructor.
Exercise Professionals who did not possess the Standard First Aid (with CPR + AED) certification, were still able to enjoy a provisional NREP membership upon registration.
Exercise professionals with the provisional membership would then be entitled to the subsidised rates for the Standard First Aid course via the free NICA/NTUC membership. Upon successful completion of the course, they could apply to upgrade to full NREP membership.
Second Phase
In the second phase (starting in April 2024), exercise professionals are required to obtain Safe Sport Certification in addition to the requirements in the first phase. This ensures that all NREP registered exercise professionals provide a safe sporting environment for members of the public.
Government agencies who hire a sizable number of exercise professionals are only hiring NREP registered exercise professionals from the second phase onwards. This will ensure a consistent level of qualifications amongst all exercise professionals who conduct programmes that are run by Government agencies. Some private gym and studio operators may require exercise professionals to be NREP registered earlier.
Third Phase
The third phase will see NREP strengthening the accreditation framework and further details of the requirement for a Basic Exercise Science certification and continuous education framework will be released by SportSG in due course.
Exercise Professional’s Code of Ethics
Introduction
- Ethics refers to the generally accepted norms of right or wrong behaviour, often based on universal values. Ethics is not about legality nor is it meant to be legalistic.
- Exercise professionals, due to their close interaction & exposure to the public are potentially vulnerable to various forms of ethical issues and concerns.
- If exercise coaching is to be recognised as a profession, it is important that there exists a code of ethics for exercise professionals. Exercise professionals, by adhering to a code of ethics, would not only minimise the likelihood of being accused of unacceptable behaviour but would also project a sense of professionalism in their dealings with others.
- One of the attributes of a profession is that the practitioners subscribe to and enforce ethical codes, which will help to demonstrate their commitment to providing quality services and expertise.
- The Exercise Professional’s Code of Ethics set out herein has been drawn up by Sport Singapore and is applicable to all NREP registered exercise professionals.
- Sport Singapore reserves its right to amend the Exercise Professional’s Code of Ethics without prior notice.
Purpose of Exercise Professional’s Code of Ethics
- To provide an ethical framework that would guide NREP registered exercise professionals in determining appropriate behaviours.
- To raise the status of exercise coaching as a profession.
- To facilitate the self-regulation of coaching standards by exercise professionals and consumers of coaching services by telling the public what is expected of exercise professionals.
- To communicate to the public the professional attitude of NREP registered exercise professionals, thereby encouraging greater confidence in these exercise professionals.
The Three Principles of Exercise Professional’s Code of Ethics
- Three broad principles form the framework for the Exercise Professional’s Code of Ethics are illustrated by a list of key ethical standards related to coaching. The key ethical standards set out below are meant to illustrate and expound on the three broad principles and are not meant to be an exhaustive list.
The three principles are:
- Respect for Individuals
- Responsible Coaching
- Integrity in Actions
Respect for Individuals
- The concept that each individual possesses an intrinsic value and worth is integral to the principle of Respect for Individuals. Exercise professionals are called upon to act in a manner respectful of the dignity of individuals.
Key Ethical Standards
- Treat and respect everyone equally, regardless of race, language, religion, culture, gender or physical ability.
- Remember that there is a need for certain information to be kept confidential. Disclosure of such information should only be made with the consent of those who requested confidentiality.
- Be sensitive to the feelings of your participants when providing feedback on their performance. Criticisms, if any, should not be directed at your participant, instead it should be on your participant’s performance.
Responsible Coaching
- The principle of Responsible Coaching requires that the exercise professionals be competent and responsible and discharge his/her duty of care to the participants. This encompasses the concept that risks to the participants are minimised and benefits to their holistic development are maximised.
Key Ethical Standards
- Prepare well-planned and sound training programmes and execute them in a manner that would benefit all your participants.
- Recognise the limits of your knowledge and collaborate with other qualified practitioners. Where appropriate, refer your participants to a more qualified exercise professionals or specialist.
- Advise your injured participant to seek further medical treatment and suggest an appropriate recovery plan whenever possible.
- Ensure that training venues meet with minimum safety standards and that your participants are properly attired.
- Avoid sexual intimacy with your participants. Any physical contact with your participants should be only when absolutely necessary and during appropriate situations.
Integrity in Actions
- The principle of Integrity in Actions requires the exercise professional to act with uprightness and coherence. Exercise professionals are expected to be honest, principled and honourable.
Key Ethical Standards
- Be honest and sincere when communicating with your participant. Do not give false hope or misinformation to your participant.
- Your qualifications and experience should be accurately represented, both in written and verbal form.
- Adopt a professional attitude and maintain the highest standards of personal conduct. It should encompass your mannerism, dress and language.
- Exercise self-awareness and evaluate how your values and actions influence your fitness coaching activities positively or negatively.
- Do not use, condone, advocate, justify the use of and/or sell performance enhancing substances, products, or practices, that may be hazardous to health and do not act in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Be a positive influence to those under your charge with respect to the values of clean sport and exercise.
Breach of Exercise Professional’s Code of Ethics
- Exercise professionals in the National Registry of Exercise Professionals (NREP) pledged to abide by the Code of Ethics. If an exercise professional is found to be in breach of the Exercise Professional’s Code of Ethics, Sport Singapore reserves its right to suspend and/or remove the said exercise professional from the National Registry of Exercise Professionals.
- The period of such suspension and/or removal shall be determined by Sport Singapore in its sole discretion.
Have a question? We're here to help
Click the button below to get your answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the National Registry of Exercise Professionals (NREP).
The FAQs are constantly being updated to better serve the community. Have a question not answered by the FAQs? Please email nrep@sport.gov.sg and the NREP team will be in touch with you in due course.
Need assistance registering to the NREP?
Download the Step-by-Step Registration Guide below. You can also select the 'Register to the NREP' tab on the left for detailed instructions on the registration process.