Qualified physical activity professionals in the UK will soon be able to add letters after their names, as CIMSPA has announced plans to introduce professional status.

As a chartered professional body, CIMSPA is formally permitted to grant professional status to the sport and physical activity sector through its royal charter. The professional status is earned through learning and experience and must be maintained through learning and skills development.

From September, current CIMSPA members will be issued with the professional status, which involves a clear title, post-nominal letters and digital assets to use to assure other professionals, employers, relevant sectors and the general public that they are skilled, trustworthy and ethical.

As the sector looks to partner with healthcare, in order to work with people who are taking weight loss medications and be part of the government’s prevention and getting people back to work agenda, the status aims to inspire confidence with allied sectors, such as health and social care.

Spencer Moore, chief strategy officer at CIMSPA says: “Professional recognition, for both individuals and the sport and physical activity sector as a whole, is something we know the professionals in our workforce have been asking and waiting for, and I'm delighted we're able to introduce the professional status framework to our fantastic and hard-working sector.

“The sport and physical activity workforce deserve to be recognised for the great work they do. Supporting our sector professionals to have their commitment and expertise recognised through their professional status will create a sense of pride and belonging.

“The framework will support progression, allowing sector professionals to develop their career and ultimately gaining greater recognition in their careers.

“Enabling our workforce to gain the ability to earn a professional status will only further boost the impact that our sector has on the wellbeing and future prosperity of our nation.”

Liz Terry, editor of HCM said: "This is a powerful move, both for CIMSPA and for the sector and has been a long time coming.

"The people who work in our industry are its lifeblood and are increasingly the gateway to our future success as we collaborate more closely with healthcare and move to delivering hospitality-standard service.

"This industry has not always been kind to its people, so changes such as this, which will empower workers, are most welcome."