The Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) wants to warn members once more of the importance of officially re-registering and the onus the industry puts on employers to only hire members of staff who have up-to-date registration status.

In recent months there have been several cases of instructors trying to forge qualification certificates – something that totally contradicts the ethos not only of REPs but of the industry at large.

Two of the instructors have now been sacked and had three more are currently under investigation by their bosses.

REPs Registrar Cliff Collins said: “We are incredibly disappointed that instructors would try to forge certificates.

“Not only does it go against all the principles of the Register but it also undermines those who have genuine registration status and could, potentially, put members of the public at risk either through people claiming to be qualified in ways they are not or by not having suitable insurance.

“I would like to remind anyone who is tempted to forge a certificate or membership card that the REPs’ website has a very comprehensive search facility which can easily verify someone’s registration status and qualifications.

“We consistently encourage both employers and members of the public to use this facility and we will also treat any attempts to try to forge membership very seriously.”