Tara Dillon, CEO, CIMSPA, is calling on the sport, physical activity and active wellbeing workforce to embrace the opportunity to be recognised as true professionals following the launch of professional status, the nationally recognised accreditation for practitioners, managers and leaders across the sector.
We’ve all said it for years: “We need proper recognition. We need something that shows what we can really do.”
Well, it’s here. Professional status is live, and now it’s your turn to step up and claim it.
This is more than a new ‘system’ or initiative; it’s the recognition you asked for, the credibility you deserve, and the career pathway that will help you stand out.
Why it matters for you
Professional status proves your competence in a way qualifications alone never could. It shows employers, partners, funders and clients that you don’t just talk about standards, you meet them.
It gives you:
- Credibility – your skills, knowledge and experience verified against national standards.
- Visibility – digital credentials that you can share proudly on LinkedIn, in your CV, or anywhere your reputation matters.
- Progression – a clear route forward, whether you’re a practitioner starting out or aiming for chartered recognition as a sector leader.
- Recognition – acknowledgement of specialist competencies and skills for working with specific populations, environments and technical standards.
This is about more than a title. It’s about being seen as a trusted professional who makes a difference.
You told us that you wanted the chance to be recognised as a professional, so grab the opportunity to shine.
For years, our sector has said that qualifications alone don’t tell the full story. You’ve asked for recognition that reflects the reality of your practice and that’s exactly what professional status gives you.
If you’re running your own small business, professional status can be a real game changer. It gives you instant credibility with clients who want proof that they’re choosing a trusted expert. When people are deciding where to spend their money, your recognition can be the reassurance that tips the balance in your favour.
It’s also a powerful marketing tool because your digital credentials can sit proudly on your website, social media and promotional collateral as a visible badge of quality that sets you apart from competitors. For a small business, every client matters, and professional status helps you stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Beyond visibility, it saves you time because it brings together your qualifications, CPD and evidence of standards in one place. That means when customers, partners or funders ask for proof, it’s ready to share, without the admin headache. Plus, as more commissioners, partners and members of the public start to expect professional recognition, having it in place future-proofs your business.
But whether you work in an employer scenario or you’re running your own business, the truth is that it only works if you use it. Employers are beginning to ask for a professional status in job descriptions. Commissioners will soon expect it in contracts. Customers will be looking for it. Your peers will adopt it to stand out. If you don’t act, you risk being left behind while others move ahead.
How to get started
- Check the accreditation framework to see where you fit right now – Practitioner, Advanced, Senior or Chartered.
- Submit your evidence to get recognised for the work you’re already doing everyday.
- Plan your next step by using the framework and support from our team to map out how you’ll progress to the next status.
- Show it off! Once you’ve earned it, share your accreditation credential everywhere, be proud, and let others see your professionalism.
This is your moment.
Professional status isn’t just here for the sector. It’s here for you. To prove your value. To grow your career. To give you the recognition you’ve earned.
You asked for it. You’ve waited for it. Now it’s live.
Don’t sit back because this is your time to stand out, be recognised, and release your power.
Claim your professional status today.