May 19, 2025
The Coalition for the Registration of Exercise Professionals (CREP), which oversees the U.S. Registry of Exercise Professionals (USREPS), is the only organization in the country fully focused on advocating for the exercise profession. As CREP’s government relations consultant, I’m excited to share a look at what’s ahead for our 2025 public policy and advocacy work.
This year, our efforts continue to center around better recognition, representation, and integration of registered exercise professionals across healthcare, fitness, public health, and sports performance spaces.
Who We Are and Why That Matters
CREP exists to support the professionals who make physical activity part of people’s daily lives. CREP’s mission is to advocate for exercise professionals and advocate for policy changes that make physical activity an integral part of healthcare.
The USREPS supports that effort by providing a registry of qualified exercise professionals across the spectrum of health, fitness, and sports performance, ensuring that consumers, employers, and health/medical professionals can identify practitioners that meet the highest standards of education and credentialing in the field.
Together, CREP and USREPS are working to build a stronger, more recognized profession.
What Sets CREP Apart
Unlike any other organization in the industry, CREP is exclusively focused on policy advocacy for exercise professionals. We champion issues ranging from credentialing standards and healthcare integration to labor law, reimbursement policies, and athlete safety.
Through our strategic engagement with policymakers and trade organizations, we aim to:
- Influence legislation that shapes the future of the profession.
- Promote best practices for credentialing and professional development.
- Secure recognition of registered exercise professionals as essential contributors to public health and wellness.
Our Key Policy Priorities Include:
- Advancing the Exercise Profession
- Standards for Education and Credentialing
- Public Health Policy
- Reimbursement and Coverage Determinations
- Athlete Safety
- Labor Law and Worker Protections
- Tax Policy for Fitness Services
- Integration into Healthcare Systems
CREP’s 2025 Advocacy in Action
1. Letters of Support and Concern
We’ve submitted letters regarding legislation that addresses:
- Athlete safety
- Tax incentives for fitness and sports coaching
- Recognition of registered exercise professionals as healthcare and wellness providers
2. Targeted Outreach and Education
We are actively engaging legislators to:
- Explain the critical role of exercise professionals in public health and injury prevention
- Provide resources and expert guidance to enhance proposed legislation
- Ensure that exercise professionals are factored into long-term health and wellness strategies
Policy Wins and Legislative Progress
1. Student-Athlete Safety
CREP supported successful bills in Virginia and Florida that now:
- Require pre-participation physical exams focused on cardiac safety
- Establish extreme heat safety guidelines for student-athletes
2. Professional Recognition in Healthcare
Our ongoing advocacy has contributed to increased recognition of exercise professionals as integral members of healthcare teams, particularly in programs addressing chronic conditions and preventive care.
Partnering to Advance the “It’s Time to Move” Initiative
CREP is a key contributor to the Physical Activity Alliance’s “It’s Time to Move” campaign, which is working to make physical activity assessment, prescription, and referral a standard component of clinical care.
A major outcome of this initiative is the National Exercise Referral Framework (NERF), a practical guide for physicians to:
- Refer patients to the most appropriately qualified registered exercise professionals
- Improve clinical outcomes through tailored, credentialed exercise interventions
- Ensure safety and effectiveness in exercise-based care
Looking Ahead: CREP’s Future Goals
1. Expanding Athlete Safety Initiatives
We’re focused on ensuring athlete safety policies extend to the high school level, with:
- Credentialing and education standards for strength and conditioning coaches
- Reporting requirements to enhance oversight and accountability
2. Passing the PHIT Act of 2025
We’re supporting the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act, which would allow families to use pre-tax dollars for fitness-related expenses, a crucial step toward making fitness more accessible to all Americans.
3. Supporting HR 1151: Investing in Tomorrow’s Workforce
CREP is advocating for the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act, which would allow individuals to use 529 education savings accounts for credentialing expenses, empowering more professionals to pursue careers in exercise, fitness, and wellness.
Advancing the Profession, Strengthening Public Health
CREP’s 2025 policy priorities reflect our unwavering commitment to elevating the role of exercise professionals in health and wellness. From legislative wins to national frameworks, our work ensures these professionals are recognized not only as fitness experts but as key contributors to the nation’s health infrastructure.
Now is the time to get involved. Whether you’re an exercise professional, educator, employer, or policymaker, your support helps ensure this growing field continues to thrive and serve communities across the U.S.
