Administration of the scheme

The Higher Education Endorsement scheme has been developed by SkillsActive in partnership with a range of industry partners, including the New Professional Institute, the Institute of Management for Sport and Physical Activity (IMSPA) , the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs)  and Sportscoach UK . The scheme is a joint venture from all the main organisations in the industry and provides one voice on skills and employability in higher education. 

Overall governance of the scheme is through the SkillsActive Professional Development Board, which includes representatives from CCPR, Youth Sport Trust, Home Nation Sports Councils, Higher Education Academy for Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism, and National Governing Bodies.  Endorsement is a key theme of the work of the Professional Development Board. 

Endorsement of Higher Education courses will be administered by SkillsActive. This scheme is crucial to our role in leading the development of the workforce across the sport and active leisure sectors.

For further information about the scheme and its development partners, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The approval process for Higher Education Endorsement for Fitness consists of two stages.

• Stage 1: Complete the application form and mapping documents, including submitting documentary evidence to support your application.

This will then be evaluated and feedback will be given. Once stage 1 approval is achieved, the application will proceed to the second stage of the approval process.

• Stage 2: A site visit will be arranged with your evaluator. This Quality Inspection will concentrate on assessing the quality of practical assessment and course elements linked to vocational skills.

Following this, a written report will be produced outlining what, if any, actions are required. Once approval is confirmed, formal notification of Endorsed status will be issued.

Apply for Higher Education Endorsement now to highlight the value of your course to potential students!

Download the submission documents for the Higher Education Endorsement scheme for Fitness.

• HEI Guidance Document
• Higher Education Endorsement Fitness Submission Form
• Higher Education Endorsement mapping toolkit – Level 2
• Higher Education Endorsement mapping toolkit – Level 3
• Level 4 Course Approval Scheme
• Higher Education Endorsement mapping toolkit – additional categories
• HEI Assessment in Vocational Fitness Toolkit

Higher Education Endorsement for Fitness at Levels 2 and 3, allowing direct entry to REPs, costs just £1900 for two years. For those also wishing to endorse Level 4 areas of study, additional fees apply. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further details.

Endorsement for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is also available – contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further details.

For more information about the Higher Education Endorsement scheme or for further details regarding how to submit your course for approval, please contact SkillsActive at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

All the doucments you need for a category 2 submission can be found here:

• Endorsed training submission pack
• Endorsed training application form
• Evidence checklist category 2
• Code of practice

**Please note that currently these documents are not interactive so you will need to download and complete them.

All the doucments you need for a category 1 submission can be found here:

• Endorsed training submission pack.
• Endorsed training application form.
• Evidence checklist category 1.
• Level 2 exercise fitness mapping toolkit.
• Level 3 additional units mapping toolkit.
• Level 3 mandatory units mapping toolkit.
• Code of practice.

**Please note that currently these documents are not interactive so you will need to download and complete them.

First aid licence

HSE first aid approved training providers can apply for a first aid training provider licence. This licence will provide endorsement, for any of your first aid training, to be recognised as CPD towards REPs.

Although not compulsory, many health and fitness practioners feel it is important to hold a full first aid qualification, due to the nature of their work and the different environments they work in. Instructors are expected to know if they need first aid training for their role and to gain the certification if necessary.

REPs has over 28,000 members all of who are required to undertake mandatory training, in order to maintain their CPD credits. However, many of whom currently don't take first aid training as it doesn't help them meet their credit requirements.

A first aid training licence means that your first aid training course will be endorsed and eligble to have REPs CPD points accrediated to it.

What does this mean for first aid training providers?

• The opportunity to upload dates and venues of training courses onto the REPs web site.
• Access to 28,000 REPs members who can view your course details online.
• The ability to offer REPs points to REPs members looking to accrue points to stay on the register.
• The use of the REPs logo.
• A valuable competitive advantage over other fitness industry training providers.

Further information

If you have any enquiries about the first aid licence please email our  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or call them on 0207 632 2006.

Employer training licence

We understand that employers have different needs, when training and upskilling their workforce, and that sometimes the only way for employers to successfully meet this need is to run their own inhouse training.

In order to help both employers and their employees get recognition for their participation in a quality assured, well-delivered training and development programme, we have developed a two year employer training licence.

The licence will offer employers the opportunity to deliver inhouse training to their staff, which we have endorsed and is therefore eligible for CPD points - an invaluable benefit for those employees who are members of The Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs).

The employer training licence application pack contains all the information you'll need to get started and apply for the licence. 

You'll also need to ensure you have read and completed:

• Category 1 endorsement - course

Further information

If you have any enquiries about the employer training licence please email our This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call them on 0207 632 2006.