Certification Program

IFMCP Eligibility Requirements

IFM’s Functional Medicine Certification Program (IFMCP) is designed to help established clinicians develop advanced skills and competence in the treatment of patients. IFMCP does not grant any additional legal or specialty status. Clinicians can only apply their functional medicine education within the scope of their current healthcare licensure.

A complete application must be submitted for IFM to provide feedback on an individual’s eligibility. More information about maintaining certification status can be found here.

United States Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet both of the minimum eligibility requirements listed below.*

1Hold at least a master’s level degree in a health-related field from an accredited university.
  • IFM has established the minimum education level required for registered nurses to be a bachelor’s level degree.
  • IFM understands that minimum education levels have changed over time for many healthcare fields, including, but not limited to:
    • Registered dietitians
    • Physician assistants
    • Physical therapists
    • Occupational therapists
      • These applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s level degree in their field as long as their education was completed prior to the entry-level education change.

AND

2

Hold an active healthcare license to practice by the appropriate authority in the state, province, or country of the applicant’s clinical practice.
  • Licensure must be a permanent license. Student/residency/temporary licenses are not eligible.
  • An IFM Functional Medicine Certification Program (IFMCP) credential does not grant or expand any additional legal or specialty status. You must incorporate functional medicine into your existing licensure.
Commonly Eligibile Degrees for IFM Certification Program and Student Discounts
Naturopathic Physicians (NDs) from the United States:
IFM has determined that passing a licensing examination in one's primary discipline is an essential factor in assuring basic competence and public safety. Since IFM has no other way to assess competence, and because it is possible for naturopathic physicians from the United States to obtain and maintain a license in one of the licensing states, we do require documentation of an active license or registration from any state recognizing the doctorate of natural or naturopathic medicine as a licensable degree. Because NDs are not licensable in all states or jurisdictions, it is acceptable to present a license or registration from a state that does recognize NDs, even if practicing in another state.
Nutrition Professionals from the United States:
IFM has determined that passing a licensing examination in one's primary discipline is an essential factor in assuring basic competence and public safety. Since IFM has no other way to assess competence, and because it is possible for nutritionists (e.g., certified nutrition specialists, registered dietitians) to obtain and maintain a license in one of the licensing states, we do require documentation of an active license from a state recognizing your nutrition degree. Because all nutrition degrees are not licensable in all states or jurisdictions, it is acceptable to present a license from a state that does recognize your nutrition degree, even if practicing in another state.

*Please note these are the minimum eligibility requirements to apply to the certification program. Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not grant automatic acceptance into the program. Every application is evaluated on educational background, program degree, regulatory status, and clinical experience.

International Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet both of the minimum eligibility requirements listed below.*

1

Hold at least a bachelor’s or advanced diploma level degree in a health-related field from an accredited university.
  • International practitioners whose degrees may not have a US equivalent are also required to submit additional information about their degree, which may include but is not limited to, the length of the program, curriculum, and clinical hours.

AND

2

Hold a current healthcare license to practice by the appropriate authority in the federal district, province, or country of the applicant’s clinical practice.
  • Healthcare practitioners who are not government regulated may be eligible to meet the licensure requirement by submitting membership with a regulatory body and a copy of their indemnity insurance policy.
  • Licensure must be a permanent license. Student/residency/temporary licenses are not eligible.
  • An IFM Functional Medicine Certification Program (IFMCP) credential does not grant or expand any additional legal or specialty status. You must incorporate functional medicine into your existing licensure.
Nutritional Therapists from Great Britain:
Because of differences in regulation, naturopathic physicians or nutritional therapists from Great Britain should send a copy of their advanced diploma and documentation of registration with a copy of their medical practice insurance policy.

*Please note these are the minimum eligibility requirements to apply to the certification program. Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not grant automatic acceptance into the program. Every application is evaluated on educational background, program degree, regulatory status, and clinical experience.

APPLY TO IFMCP

If you have additional questions, see the following resources:

CERTIFICATION PROCESS & REQUIREMENTS

CERTIFICATION FAQS

Contact Us

Questions? Contact the IFMCP Team

Taylor White, Certification Program Manager
Toya Brown, Certification Program Specialist
Julie Valdez, Certification Program Coordinator
Blanca Nodal, Certification Program Coordinator

ifmcp@ifm.org
253.661.3011

I am privileged to have joined the ranks of IFM Certified Practitioners—the training is already making a significant impact in my evaluations and assessments of the patients and clients that I see. —IFM Certified Practitioner