Coach
Occupation scope and impact
Coaches improve a participant’s experience of sport and physical activity by providing specialised support and guidance aligned to their individual needs.
- You have an inspirational effect on individuals, groups and communities.
- You lead the planning, preparation, delivery, continuous evaluation and review of a series of sport and/or physical activity sessions.
- You ensure the culture and environment is designed to meet a participant’s welfare needs and allow them the opportunity to achieve their goals and meet their aspirations.
- Your activity’s central focus is the participant’s development as a person.
- You tailor and adapt to the participant’s needs whilst taking an inclusive approach.
- You work with participants, other coaches, colleagues, volunteers, parents, teachers, youth workers and health professionals, to ensure the experience is the very best it can be.
*discounts apply if your organisation is a CIMSPA employer partner
- Verifiable professional status accreditation
- Exclusive benefits and offers
- Access free endorsed CPD
Professional status
Having a professional status is a way to show the world that you are a trained and highly skilled coach. Gain professional recognition for your knowledge, skills and experience by sharing your status with employers, clients and your peers.
As you progress in your career, gain new professional statuses that celebrate your expertise and allow you to explore more opportunities in your work.
Coach Practitioner
You are currently working as a coach and have a high-quality and up-to-date coach qualification. You are dedicated to your professional development and providing the best possible experience to participants.
Benefits
Title
You will gain the professional status title of Coach Practitioner. You will be able to use this to ensure that clients and employers understand exactly what you are capable of, linked directly to the sector’s professional standards:
Try using your title in your website or social media bio to show clients that you’re a trained expert. Many other professions such as healthcare practitioners and financial advisers use these to demonstrate their credibility.
When applying for jobs, your professional status title is an important addition to your CV. Employers will be able to see your skill level and are assured that your qualifications are quality assured – all from a quick glance.
Postnominals
You will gain the postnominals of MCIMSPA.
Many established professions, such as accountancy and medicine, use postnominal letters to show that an individual is accredited by a professional body.
You will be able to use yours after your name on social media, your website and business communications to demonstrate that you are a recognised professional.
Find out more about postnominals
Accreditation credentials
Your accreditation credentials – which take the form of a digital badge – will offer a verifiable visual representation of your professional status which you can use on your website and social media to showcase your expertise. When you click on them, anyone will be able to see further information about your status and that it is verified and up to date.
Entry requirements
You will need to complete the Coach occupational professional standard by evidencing all of its competency statements.
Coach Advanced Practitioner
You are a qualified, practising coach, and to offer a more bespoke service, you have also gone the extra mile to specialise in working with a particular group of clients, for example women and girls, or in a particular environment, for example in the community.
Benefits
Title
You will gain the professional status title of Coach Advanced Practitioner. You will be able to use this to ensure that clients and employers understand exactly what you are capable of, linked directly to the sector’s professional standards:
- Try using your title in your website or social media bio to show clients that you’re a trained expert. Many other professions such as healthcare practitioners and financial advisers use these to demonstrate their credibility.
- When applying for jobs, your professional status title is an important addition to your CV. Employers will be able to see your skill level and are assured that your qualifications are quality assured – all from a quick glance.
Postnominals
You will gain the postnominals of MCIMSPA.
Many established professions, such as accountancy and medicine, use postnominal letters to show that an individual is accredited by a professional body.
You will be able to use yours after your name on social media, your website and business communications to demonstrate that you are a recognised professional.
Find out more about postnominals
Accreditation credentials
Your accreditation credentials – which take the form of a digital badge – will offer a verifiable visual representation of your professional status which you can use on your website and social media to showcase your expertise. When you click on them, anyone will be able to see further information about your status and that it is verified and up to date.
Entry requirements
You will need to complete the Coach occupational professional standard by evidencing all of its competency statements.
You will also need to evidence completion of one of the following population or environment professional standards:
- Working with People with Long Term Conditions
- Working with Children
- Working with Children 0–5 years
- Working in the School Environment (Out of Curriculum)
- Working Inclusively – Working with Antenatal and Postnatal Clients
- Working Inclusively – Working with Women and Girls
- Working Inclusively – Working with Disabled People
- Working Inclusively – Working with Culturally and Ethnically Diverse Communities
- Working Inclusively – Working with People with Mental Health Conditions
- Working Inclusively – Working with Inactive People
- Working in a Community Environment
- Coaching in High Performance Sport
Coach Chartered Practitioner
This chartered status shows that you are a qualified and experienced coach who is delivering excellent outcomes for clients while also creating a significantly positive impact on the sector.
By gaining this professional status, you are showing employers, clients and everyone else that you are an expert in your field.
Benefits
Title
You will gain the professional status title of Coach Chartered Practitioner. You will be able to use this to ensure that clients and employers understand exactly what you are capable of, linked directly to the sector’s professional standards:
- Try using your title in your website or social media bio to show clients that you’re a trained expert. Many other professions such as healthcare practitioners and financial advisers use these to demonstrate their credibility.
- When applying for jobs, your professional status title is an important addition to your CV. Employers will be able to see your skill level and are assured that your qualifications are quality assured – all from a quick glance.
Postnominals
You will gain the postnominals of MCIMSPA (Chartered).
Many established professions, such as accountancy and medicine, use postnominal letters to show that an individual is accredited by a professional body.
You will be able to use yours after your name on social media, your website and business communications to demonstrate that you are a recognised professional.
Find out more about postnominals
Accreditation credentials
Your accreditation credentials – which take the form of a digital badge – will offer a verifiable visual representation of your professional status which you can use on your website and social media to showcase your expertise. When you click on them, anyone will be able to see further information about your status and that it is verified and up to date.
Entry requirements
You will need to complete the Coach occupational professional standard by evidencing all of its competency statements.
You will also need to complete the CIMSPA Chartered Practitioner assessment process, through which you will demonstrate your experience and sustained positive impact within your role. To be considered for this process, you must hold an existing CIMSPA professional status.
Coach Senior Practitioner
As a Coach Senior Practitioner, you are a well-qualified and committed professional. You have extensive expertise and are able to support participants with complex needs within a specialist area: either inclusive practice, physical activity and health or children and young people.
Benefits
Title
You will gain the professional status title of Coach Senior Practitioner. You will be able to use this to ensure that clients and employers understand exactly what you are capable of, linked directly to the sector’s professional standards:
- Try using your title in your website or social media bio to show clients that you’re a trained expert. Many other professions such as healthcare practitioners and financial advisers use these to demonstrate their credibility.
- When applying for jobs, your professional status title is an important addition to your CV. Employers will be able to see your skill level and are assured that your qualifications are quality assured – all from a quick glance.
Postnominals
You will gain the postnominals of FCIMSPA.
Many established professions, such as accountancy and medicine, use postnominal letters to show that an individual is accredited by a professional body.
You will be able to use yours after your name on social media, your website and business communications to demonstrate that you are a recognised professional.
Find out more about postnominals
Accreditation credentials
Your accreditation credentials – which take the form of a digital badge – will offer a verifiable visual representation of your professional status which you can use on your website and social media to showcase your expertise. When you click on them, anyone will be able to see further information about your status and that it is verified and up to date.
Entry requirements
You will need to complete the Coach occupational professional standard by evidencing all of its competency statements. You will also need to meet the requirements for one of the following specialist areas:
Children and Young People Specialist
You have completed all three of the following population and environment professional standards by evidencing all of their competency statements:
- Working with Children 0–5
- Working with Children
- Working in the School Environment (Out of Curriculum)
Inclusive Practice Specialist
You have completed three of the following five population professional standards by evidencing all of their competency statements:
- Working Inclusively (Working with Disabled People)
- Working with Women and Girls
- Working with Culturally and Ethnically Diverse Communities
- Working with Antenatal and Postnatal Clients
- Working with Inactive People
Physical Activity and Health Specialist
You have completed the Working with People with Long Term Conditions professional standard by evidencing all of its competency statements.
You have completed one of the following technical specialism professional standards:
- Cardiac Rehabilitation*
- Chronic Respiratory Disease*
- Falls Prevention*
- Cancer Rehabilitation*
- Neurological Conditions*
- Lower Back Pain*
- Obesity/Diabetes*
- Stroke Rehabilitation*
*Not yet available
Coach Chartered Senior Practitioner
Coach Chartered Senior Practitioner is the highest level of professional status available. It shows that you are delivering an outstanding, specialised service to your clients and are leading the way in influencing positive change in the sector.
Benefits
Title
You will gain the professional status title of Coach Chartered Senior Practitioner. You will be able to use this to ensure that clients and employers understand exactly what you are capable of, linked directly to the sector’s professional standards:
- Try using your title in your website or social media bio to show clients that you’re a trained expert. Many other professions such as healthcare practitioners and financial advisers use these to demonstrate their credibility.
- When applying for jobs, your professional status title is an important addition to your CV. Employers will be able to see your skill level and are assured that your qualifications are quality assured – all from a quick glance.
Postnominals
You will gain the postnominals of FCIMSPA (Chartered).
Many established professions, such as accountancy and medicine, use postnominal letters to show that an individual is accredited by a professional body.
You will be able to use yours after your name on social media, your website and business communications to demonstrate that you are a recognised professional.
Find out more about postnominals
Accreditation credentials
Your accreditation credentials – which take the form of a digital badge – will offer a verifiable visual representation of your professional status which you can use on your website and social media to showcase your expertise. When you click on them, anyone will be able to see further information about your status and that it is verified and up to date.
Entry requirements
You will need to meet the entry requirements for Coach Senior Practitioner and complete the CIMSPA Chartered Practitioner assessment process, through which you will demonstrate your experience and sustained positive impact within your role. To be considered for this process, you must hold an existing CIMSPA professional status.
Apply for your professional status
Step 1 – prepare your evidence, apply and pay
- Provide evidence of your qualifications and CPD documentation in PDF, JPEG or PNG format.
- Debit card, credit card or direct debit payment options are available.
Step 2 – We will process your application
- You will receive email updates as we review your application.
- We will let you know if we require any further information from you.
- You will receive an email confirming that your professional status has been approved.
Supporting your career
Take complete control of your career progression and stay at the forefront of our sector.
To help you maximise your professional status and develop your knowledge and skills, we offer a range of exclusive benefits that complement your professional status:
- Receive discounts on endorsed qualifications and CPD from a range of training providers.
- Enhance your career prospects – many of our Employer Partners commit to only employing professional status holders.
- Gain exclusive access to Move Professional, our quarterly online publication giving you the latest sector news and tips for progressing your career.
- Get regular bite-sized sector updates via email with our tailored monthly bulletin.
- Learn and develop through CIMSPA’s member-only webinars featuring cross-sector experts.
- Make connections through CIMSPA and partner events and conferences and at our professional development boards and consultations (by invitation).
- Be the first to hear about opportunities to be involved with CIMSPA consultations and insight, helping to influence sector policy and future research.
- Take part in focus groups and committees to help shape the sector’s future.
Membership join FAQs
Your account will be required to be linked your employer’s organisational account to issue your membership at the discounted price. If your account is not currently linked, we will require some information from you. Please email us on info@cimspa.co.uk
If your CIMSPA recognised entry qualification is dated over 5 years from the date of your application, you will be required to evidence:
- At least 1 CPD point of endorsed
- Or 4 hours of non-endorsed CPD.
Awarding organisation certificates display some or all of the following:
- Awarding organisation’s logo e.g. Active IQ, YMCA Awards, Innovate Awarding, Focus Awards, VTCT
- Award title e.g. Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in Fitness Instructing and Personal Training
- Qualification Accreditation Number (QAN) e.g. 600/4941/8
- Date of issue
- Certificate number
- ’Ofqual’ logo
Please note: A Unit Credit certificate, letter of confirmation or certificate issued by a Training Provider are not accepted to ensure a standardised and robust application process.
Your membership will be approved within the affiliate membership category to bring you onboard as a CIMSPA member. We will email you with guidance to support you with your next steps towards becoming a practitioner or associate member.
If your qualifications have not been mapped to the industry professional standards, they may be submitted for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. For further information, please email info@cimspa.co.uk
If you have successfully met the professional standard following completion of your CIMSPA endorsed course for your chosen practitioner category, your professional qualification certificate issued by CIMSPA and awarded by your education provider will clearly confirm this and should be submitted with your application.
EREPS/REPS Ireland
We have an agreement with and can accept a Letter of Portability during your membership application from the following organisations, providing it is transferrable to your chosen CIMSPA membership category:
Other countries
If your qualification was completed in a country outside the above organisations’ jurisdiction, please email info@cimspa.co.uk with a copy of your letter of portability or qualification, confirming the country of issue, for further support.