IUHPE Health Promotion Practitioner Registration Model
How did the Association for Health Promotion Ireland (AHPI) become a National Accreditation Organisation (NAO)?
AHPI successfully applied to the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) to be the NAO for the Republic of Ireland.
What is a National Accreditation Organisation (NAO)?
NAOs are authorised by the IUHPE to undertake and maintain the national registration of practitioners and to ensure that the practitioners are eligible to use the title ‘IUHPE Health Promotion Practitioner’.
How is a NAO governed?
NAOs are required to establish a formal governance structure for their accrediting role by establishing a Management Committee and sub-committees that ensure that all functions, roles and tasks are clear and understood.
What are the eligibility criteria for being a registered health promotion practitioner?
There are three categories of application:
Category 1. Graduates of a Health Promotion course (undergraduate or post graduate) which is accredited within the IUHPE Health Promotion Accreditation System. NOTE: this category applies only to those who have graduated since the date each course was accredited(A).
or
Category 2. Graduates of a Health Promotion course (undergraduate or post graduate) that is not accredited within the IUHPE Health Promotion Accreditation System or graduates of a course (undergraduate or post graduate) in other relevant disciplines(B) with a minimum of two years of experience as a Health Promotion practitioner within the past five years.
or
Category 3. Practitioners who are not graduates of a Health Promotion course or a course in a relevant discipline, but who have acquired a minimum of three years experience as a Health Promotion Practitioner within the past five years (option available until 2021 only).
(A) The IUHPE has accredited the following three colleges in Ireland. If you have graduated from any of these courses since their respective accreditation dates (in brackets), apply under Category 1
- Waterford Institute of Technology: BA in Health Promotion (February 2015);
- NUI Galway: Postgraduate Diploma/MA in Health Promotion (February 2015);
- Institute of Technology Sligo:
- BSc (Ord) Health Science & Physiology (3 years programme) with the B.Sc (Hons) Public Health & Health Promotion (1 year add on degree) (September 2015)
- BSc (Hons) Health Science and Physical Activity (students commencing study since September 2020)
- B.Sc (Hons) Public Health & Health Promotion (students commencing study since September 2020)
- B.Sc (Ord) Health Science & Physiology (students commencing study since September 2020)
How are applications assessed?
Applications for registration will be assessed by two Assessors from an Assessment Panel that has been established by AHPI. All Assessors have received training in the assessment processes as set out by IUHPE
The assessment process for the registration/re-registration of Health Promotion practitioners may result in applicants being:
- Registered
- Not registered, but eligible for registration on provision of additional information/clarification within a four week period. Details of information required to meet the criteria will be provided
- Denied registration based on failure to meet criteria or non-payment of required fees.
What happens if my application to be registered is successful?
If the application is successful and the fees are paid, the applicant’s name will be added to the professional register for Ireland and the IUHPE, and the applicant will be awarded the professional title ‘IUHPE Health Promotion Practitioner’.
Can I appeal if I don’t agree with the decision of the Assessors?
Yes, an Appeals Procedure is available to those practitioners who have been denied entry to the register and who wish to appeal the decision.
If my application to be registered is denied due to failure to meet the criteria, am I able to reapply?
Yes, you can reapply. Feedback will be provided in areas where extra information is required.
How long does a registration last?
Successful applicants are registered for a period of 3 years. Over the intervening period registered practitioners are required to undertake Continuous Professional Development (CPD) activities, which will be the basis for re-registration.
When will I be able to apply for registration?
AHPI launched the system in November 2017. Go to the main Professional Registration page to access the online application system.
How much will it cost to be registered?
There are two fees.
An application fee which is paid when you apply for registration. This is non-refundable. Current application fees are €25 for AHPI members and €30 for other applicants. The Registration fee - successful applicants will be asked to pay a registration fee which is valid for 3 years. The Registration fee is €75 for AHPI members and €100 for all other applicants.
What happens at the end of my 3-year registration period?
After 3 years, the practitioner is required to re-apply for registration. This will involve providing details of Continuing Professional Development activities and work experience that have been completed during the previous 3 years. More details on this process can be found in the Continuing Professional Development section of this website.
How much CPD will I be required to undertake to be eligible for re-registration at the end of the 3-year registration period?
75 hours of CPD is required to be completed over the 3-year registration period. The CPD Opportunities section of this website contains details of courses/training and events that are related to health promotion. If you are interested in CPD related to a specific health promotion competency, you can use the search function to view the list of CPD activities that have been identified as having content on that competency.
Is it mandatory for employers to employ registered health promotion practitioners?
No, the registration system offers employers an opportunity to identify applicants who have become a registered health promotion practitioner (and satisfied the eligibility criteria) but the decision to make this a mandatory criterion for employment will be at the employer’s discretion.
Is registration recognised by CORU (Health & Social Care Professionals Council for Ireland)?
No, it is not recognised by CORU. AHPI will be engaging with CORU once the system is live to inform them of the global developments in HP Competencies and Registration.