Become an Aquatic Fitness Leader

Aquatic Fitness Leaders design, modify, and lead safe aquatic exercise groups by providing effective and appropriate exercises to meet the needs of participants. 

Step 1: Create an Account on The Registry^® of Fitness Professionals

The Registry^® of Fitness Professionals is where you create your professional fitness profile. Similar to LinkedIn, The Registry^® is where potential employers and clients can find you and verify your credentials.  

This is also where you will track your Speciality Module Courses, CPR/First Aid certifications, and your Continuing Education Credits (CECs). For more information on The Registry^® click here.

Step 2: Complete the Fitness Theory Course and Exam

Fitness Theory Course 

The Fitness Theory Course is NOT a requirement for BCRPA Fitness Program registration. However, it is highly recommended as it will prepare you for the mandatory Fitness Theory Exam.  

View our approved Fitness Theory Course Providers below:

Contact the course provider for complete information, including course duration, course outline, course components, time commitment and course requirements. Prices for the Fitness Theory Course ranges from $315 - $565 depending on the course provider and format of delivery (i.e. Smaller class sizes or 1-on-1 may see higher fees). 

If you do not wish to take a course, the CFES, Body Blueprint, and Kinesiologists.ca Fitness Theory manuals can be purchased directly from the suppliers.  

Fitness Theory Exam

The Fitness Theory Exam is a requirement for initial registration with BCRPA and must be completed before purchasing your first-year registration.

If you require any accommodations to write the exam, please email us.

Note: If you do not successfully pass the exam on your first attempt, we strongly encourage you take the Fitness Theory Course prior to re-writing the exam. You will only be able to purchase 3 exams before you are advised to contact the BCRPA office. 

Preparing for the exam:

The following resources have been created to help you prepare for the exam.

• Fitness Leadership Canada's Fitness Theory Performance Standards
• Study Guide
• Fitness Theory Practice Exam

1. Log in to your new account on The Registry^® of Fitness Professionals  
2. Click on the Exam History tab towards the bottom of your User Account page.  
3. Click the Purchase Exam button.
4. Then, follow the instructions to purchase your Fitness Theory Exam.  
• Payment is accepted by credit card. Credit/Debit, Debit Cards, or Personal Cheques are not accepted.  

Once payment has cleared, exam information and further instructions on how to schedule your exam through Proctor U will be emailed to you. *Please check your spam/junk folder if you do not see the email in your inbox.  

Note: *** ProctorU charges an additional scheduling fee for exams booked with less than 72 hours notice. Scheduling fees are charged by, and paid directly to ProctorU. This fee is not charged by BCRPA. BCRPA’s exam fee is $110 + GST.

ProctorU’s on-demand scheduling types and fees are defined below:

• Exams booked with 72-hour notice – no charge
• Take It Soon: "Take It Soon" allows test-takers to schedule a test 24-72 hours prior to the selected test time and incurs an additional fee of $8.00 USD.
• Take It Now: "Take It Now" allows test-takers to schedule a test less than 24 hours prior to the selected test time and incurs an additional fee of $12.00 USD.

• This Exam is written online only and is hosted on ProctorU. Photo ID, along with a webcam, microphone, speaker, and computer running on Windows 10 or higher with Internet connection are required.  
• Cost - $110 + GST ($80 exam + $30 ProctorU service fee) 
• Exam Length - 60 questions, multiple choice 
  • Important note: The system shows one question at a time. You will not be able to go back, review, or update your answer to a question once you have clicked the “next” button to continue the exam. 
• Time Given - 60 minutes 
• Passing Grade - 80% (48/60) 

Please read the complete Online Exam Policy before completing any online exams.

Refunds and Expiration Policy

Once you have purchased the Exam, there is no expiration date to schedule and write the Exam.  

However, a refund can  be granted within 3 months of the purchase date. Exam fees are non-transferrable and cannot be used for another Fitness Student.  

Exam fees are only applicable to the account on which it was purchased. 

Note: You have one (1) year from the date of passing the Fitness Theory Exam to purchase your first-year registration; registration is a mandatory pre-requisite prior to starting work on your Core Specialty.

Step 3: Obtain CPR and First Aid Certification

After you pass your Fitness Theory Exam you will have one year to complete your First Aid and CPR certification and purchase your first-year registration. However, you may complete this step before writing the Exam.  

BCRPA Registered Fitness Leaders and Fitness Students are required to have current CPR and First Aid certifications at all times. These certifications must come from the following organizations or from companies that are authorized by them to provide these certifications: 

• Red Cross 
• St. John’s Ambulance 
• Canadian Ski Patrol 
• Lifesaving Society or
• Heart and Stroke Foundation 
• St. Mark James First Aid Training

Note: BCRPA only accepts those First Aid and CPR courses that include an in-person, practical component (ie. full in-person class or blended class of online and in-person)

Fitness Leaders are required to have a minimum of CPR-A certification and either Emergency First Aid or Standard First Aid certification. Higher level certifications are accepted. *** Please check with your employer for minimum certification requirements, which may be different from the BCRPA. Prices for the First Aid and CPR classes range from $100-$200 depending on the provider. 

Once you have received your First Aid and/or CPR certifications, log in to The Registry^® and update this information in your account under the "CPR Certificate" and "First Aid Certificate" tabs of your User Account. 

If you receive an audit message when updating your CPR and/or First Aid certifications, please follow the instructions as quickly as you can so that the audit can be completed, and your update accepted.

Consult The Registry^® User Manual if you require assistance.

Step 4: Purchase Your First-Year Registration

As soon as you pass your Fitness Theory Exam, you can register with BCRPA for $105 - valid for one year from the date of registration. Registration can be purchased on your account on The Registry^® under the "Manage Registration" tab.  

During your first-year registration you are considered a Fitness Student and are required to complete your Core Speciality Module Course and pass your Instructor Competency Evaluation (ICE) (Steps 5 and 6) within this one year timeframe.

If you wish to delay your registration process, you will be able to purchase your registration within one year of passing your Fitness Theory Exam.

Step 5: Take the Aquatic Fitness Core Specialty Module Course

BCRPA-approved Aquatic Fitness Core Specialty Module Courses were developed in accordance to the Fitness Leadership Canada's Aquatic Performance Standards and are a minimum of 16 hours in length.

BCRPA-approved specialty module courses have both classroom theory components, and practical, hands on components. Depending on the course and/or the instructor, there are quizzes, exams, and projects that must be completed as well. Check with your course provider regarding the requirements for your chosen course.

Contact the course provider for complete information, including course duration, course outline, course components, time commitment and course requirements. Prices for the Aquatic Fitness Core Specialty Module Course ranges from $299 - $360 depending on the course provider and format of delivery (i.e. Smaller class sizes or 1-on-1 may see higher fees).

The course providers listed below have been verified by BCRPA and meet the course requirements for BCRPA Fitness Registration. These specialty module courses are the only courses accepted for BCRPA Fitness Registration.

Note: Fitness related in-person and online workshops count toward professional development and are for CECs only – they do not qualify as a specialty module course. CECs are a registration renewal requirement that comes into effect once you have completed your first year of registration. Fitness Students are not required to earn CECs. 

Step 6: Complete the Practical and Instructor Competency Evaluation (ICE)

Requirements For This Step

1. Complete an 8-hour practicum in which you teach a "fitness class" to a Fitness Instructor.
2. Complete an Instructor Competency Evaluation (ICE) with a qualified ICE Evaluator.
• Note: Some course providers may include the Practicum and ICE portion as a component of the course.

Completing the Practicum

You will be required to complete 8 hours of practicum, in which you participate with a current Fitness Instructor. Practicum hours can also be completed virtually. Please review the information included on your ICE package and direct any questions to your Evaluator.

In this practicum component, you will act as the instructor of an aquatic fitness class with the Fitness Instructor as the student.

This Practicum may be completed with any Fitness Instructor teaching in a fitness facility. Please ensure you also have permission from the facility, and the instructor's class participants that you will be teaching before you begin your class.

The fees for practicum mentoring vary depending on if it is included as part of the course, occurs in a group setting, or as one to one mentoring. Please check with the facilitator / school for the cost of the practicum or mentoring.

To get started on finding an instructor to complete your practicum placement, email Jaimee Stokes. Please include the following information in your email:

• module you wish to practicum
• preferred location(s)
• general availability
• preferred timeline / completion date

The forms for Practicum tracking are included in the ICE package linked in the section below. 

Completing the ICE Component

The ICE component is completed with a qualified ICE Evaluator. Each fitness specialty will have different requirements. Prices for the ICE typically range from $60 - $200.

Before starting on this process:

• Download and review your Aquatic Fitness ICE Package. 
• Example of Form B (Form B-1)
• ICE Evaluator Feedback Form
• Then contact a qualified Aquatic Fitness ICE Evaluator. (updated April 2024)

When you have completed and passed your ICE, your Evaluator will inform BCRPA.

Note: ICE package processing may take between 5 to 10 business days. 

Insurance Coverage

Your  BCRPA First-Year Registration provides you with a temporary insurance policy valid for the duration of your one-year registration. This temporary policy covers you to work with classmates and members of the public while completing all required practical components, including your ICE evaluation.

For this insurance to be valid:

• You must have valid CPR and First Aid coverage at all times; and 
• You must complete and pass the Aquatic Fitness Specialty Module before your First-Year Registration expires.

Once you have completed the 6 steps listed above, your specialty will be added to your account on The Registry^® of Fitness Professionals.

Congratulations!

You have now completed a Core Specialty Module and are a BCRPA Registered Fitness Leader!

Note: Your registration status will be updated from Fitness Student to Fitness Leader after you have renewed your registration. Review this page for more details on maintaining your registration.