Qualification and training routes to becoming a practising Sport and Exercise Psychologist
The application of psychology to sport and exercise settings is a relatively new field, which is rapidly developing and expanding. This branch of psychology is concerned with understanding the behaviour, mental processes, and well-being of people who are involved in sport and exercise. Practitioners typically specialise in either the sport or exercise branches, though some work equally in both fields. The purpose of this article is to describe current qualification routes to becoming a practising sport and exercise psychologist, address some common questions regarding these routes, and provide information on recent developments in the field.
Currently there are two types of recognised sport and exercise psychologists. Through BASES, individuals can become Accredited as Sport and Exercise Psychologists and work within the guidelines of BASES. Through Full Membership of the Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology (DSEP) of the BPS, individuals can become Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologists and follow the professional guidelines and code of conduct of the BPS. Figure 1 outlines typical routes to each qualification.
Q What is the difference between the two types of sport and exercise psychologists?
It is possible that a psychologist may be both Accredited and Chartered, and there are individuals who have achieved both from different starting points. One of the main differences between the two types of psychologists centres on the knowledge gained at undergraduate level and how this has subsequently been applied. A BPS Chartered Psychologist will have focused his or her undergraduate study mainly in psychology and therefore, may have a greater understanding of how the breadth of psychology pertains to sport and exercise situations. In contrast, a BASES accredited practitioner with a sport and exercise science undergraduate degree will have studied a wider range of disciplines that typically will have included physiology and biomechanics as well as psychology, and may have focused specifically on sport and exercise psychology.
Q Will both BASES and BPS Psychologists be able to use the term 'psychologist'?
Through the Foster Review, the Department of Health has called for the statutory regulation of psychologists. Through statutory regulation members of the public will know that those claiming to be psychologists are properly trained and qualified, and answerable to a registration authority. Consequently, the term 'psychologist' or adjective terms such as 'sport and exercise psychologist' are likely to become protected. Further, it is likely that an independent regulator of psychologists will be established and individuals will need to demonstrate an appropriate standard to be able to legally use the term psychologist. It is not yet known what this standard will be. It may be that those with chartered status or BASES accreditation will be eligible, however this issue is still at consultation level and no final decisions have yet been made.
Q How can I find a BASES Accredited/BPS Chartered sport & exercise psychology supervisor for Supervised Experience?
Individuals who wish to pursue the path of becoming a BASES Accredited Sport and Exercise Psychologist can search the BASES Consultant Finder for a supervisor. Individuals wishing to pursue the BPS path to become a Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist can search the BPS website and look for BPS Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologists at: www.bps.org.uk/bps/e-services/find-a-psychologist/psychoindex$.cfm
Q Can I become Chartered if I have already completed an MSc that wasn't BPS Accredited?
Candidates with the Graduate Basis for Registration who successfully complete a postgraduate qualification in sport and exercise psychology between 1 September 2004 and the 30 September 2008 may apply on an individual basis to have this training course approved by the BPS Admissions Committee. Where the Admissions Committee agrees to approve this course, and the candidate has also undertaken a period of supervised experience in sport and exercise psychology developing the key competencies expected of a Full Member of the DSEP to an appropriate level, the candidate will be eligible for Full membership of the DSEP and for Registration as a Chartered Psychologist.
The total period of training for the qualification and experience shall be a minimum of three years. Candidates who complete their postgraduate training course after 30 September 2008 will not be able to take advantage of this arrangement. See www.bps.org.uk/spex/join/join_home.cfm for further details.
Q If I am BASES Accredited, then can I also become BPS Chartered?
There is no reciprocal arrangement between the BPS and BASES. All individuals applying to become a Full Member of the DSEP and therefore Chartered must establish that they have GBR. Most candidates meet this by successfully completing a BPS accredited undergraduate degree in psychology, a conversion qualification or by passing the BPS' Qualifying Exam.
In certain special circumstances, academic psychologists with a PhD in psychology who can demonstrate a broad range of psychological knowledge equivalent to an undergraduate psychology degree (including research and statistics expertise) may be eligible for Graduate Basis for Registration. Please contact the BPS' Admissions Team for further information (applications@bps.org.uk). Once GBR has been demonstrated, individuals who have not completed a Society accredited training course, or a qualification approved by the Society on an individual basis, may still be considered for Full membership of the Division and Chartered Status through the 'grandparenting' scheme, but will have to demonstrate training and experience in the required key competencies at an appropriate level over a period of at least five years. This route is for experienced academics and practitioners and is only considered in special cases. For further details, see www.bps.org.uk/spex/join/join_home.cfm
Q If I am BPS Chartered, then can I also become BASES Accredited?
There is no reciprocal arrangement between the BPS and BASES. Nevertheless it is likely that BPS Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologists would be in a good position to successfully apply for BASES Accreditation by documenting their knowledge in the required areas, including the other sport and exercise disciplines.
Q What is the situation if I am doing a PhD in sport and exercise psychology?
To become a practising psychologist, BASES stipulates that candidates should normally hold a higher degree so a PhD may substitute for an MSc qualification. Nevertheless a candidate is advised to still undertake the required period of supervised experience, and subsequently apply for the qualification. For the BPS route, a PhD cannot substitute for the stated 
training route to becoming a practising sport and exercise psychologist unless it is through the 'grandparenting' scheme (see above).
Q I have an undergraduate degree in sport and exercise science and plan to do a masters in sports psychology. My aim is to become a sports/exercise psychologist. Can I do this through BASES or do I need to go through the BPS route?
In 2009 psychology became a registered profession under the Health Professions Council (HPC). Various named titles became protected and it is illegal to use these titles unless qualified to do so. Entry to the HPC register as a psychologist is through the BPS system which requires a BPS accredited degree along with a higher degree and relevant experience. The vast majority of sport and exercise science undergraduate and postgraduate courses do not qualify under the BPS rules. The protected titles are:
•Registered psychologist
•Practitioner psychologist
The following are domain specific titles used by individual HPC registered psychologists:
•Clinical psychologist
•Counselling psychologist
•Educational psychologist
•Forensic psychologist
•Health psychologist
•Occupational psychologist
•Sport and exercise psychologist
It is therefore illegal to use the title “Sport and Exercise Psychologist” unless you are on the HPC register. However, the use of other titles such as “performance enhancement consultant”, “mental skills coach”, “lifestyle coach”, etc. is not illegal.
The title ‘psychologist’ is not protected on its own. BASES understanding at the time of writing (December 2009) is that it would not be illegal to use the title psychologist. But BASES recommends caution. We would not recommend using the word “psychologist” in conjunction with other words since that could be considered mis-leading and might imply to clients that you are registered. It would not be appropriate for BASES members to use the term “accredited psychologist” as a means of getting round the legally- protected names and HPC registration – the BASES accreditation tile is “Accredited sport and exercise scientist”.
The British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES) has run an accreditation system for many years, designed to recognise the attainment of professional standards. Accreditation requires an undergraduate degree, a postgraduate degree, and relevant professional experience. BASES offers a supervised experience structure to help newly graduated students along the path to successful professional accreditation. Once the standards are achieved an individual may call themselves an “Accredited sport & exercise scientist”.
It is important to note two key aspects of the BASES accreditation scheme.
- One is that there is just one generic title (“Sport and exercise scientist”) and it does not carry further definition towards a discipline (such as physiology, biomechanics, or psychology), towards a field of work (such as support services, research or pedagogy) or towards a client group (such as sport or exercise). This is a change from the old BASES system (pre-2009) which used to include an additional defining term.
- Second is that professional accreditation is based on the demonstration of a range of professional competencies, one of which is working within one’s own domain of experience and skill.
It is the intention of BASES to submit an application to the HPC to gain legal protection of the name “Sport and exercise scientist”. An application is likely to be submitted in 2010.
A person interested in sport and exercise psychology therefore has two pathways to formal recognition.
- Those with a background in mainstream psychology may fulfill the requirements of the BPS, be eligible for registration with the HPC, and be able to use the protected titles above. This pathway has advantages in enabling the use of those legally-protected titles. But is does require a particular form of undergraduate and postgraduate education that provides a strong background in a wide range of psychology study, but may not provide a particularly full experience in the application to, or the context of, sport and exercise.
- Those with a background in sport and exercise sciences may follow the BASES accreditation pathway and use the title “Accredited sport and exercise scientist”. Under that title they may work in psychological aspects of the sport and exercise sciences, using their professional judgment to always work within their level of experience and skill. This pathway has the advantage of being providing a strong education in the application of material in the context of sport and exercise. But it will not provide such a strong background in all aspects of psychology and will not allow the use of the title “Sport & Exercise psychologist”.
The websites of BASES and the BPS provide details of accreditation schemes. The website of the HPC provides details of their registration requirements, along with the purpose and legal implications of a protected title.