Frequently Asked Questions

Please respect others’ intellectual property rights. Do not post articles, photos, or slides which were created by someone else unless you have their permission. Posts that are in conflict will be removed.  

Please be respectful and kind. Disrespectful posts will not be tolerated and you will be removed from the group.  

Your thoughtful and supportive participation in this group is encourages. We all bring something unique to the table and your participation not only helps others learn, but also creates space for others to particulate.  

Share your successes, challenges, and insights. We can all learn from your share experience!  

There are many IFM Certified Practitioners in this group who have joined in to help support this community. IFMCP graduates & IFM Clinical staff are here to answer your questions. Please ask them!  

For each testing cohort, IFM invites testing candidates to join a Facebook group focused solely on the case report and written examination process. It is an opportunity for candidates to connect with one another as well as connect with IFM staff to clarify any questions they have as they prepare for the written examination.  

The optional Review Course is an opportunity for IFM Certification Program candidates to undertake a comprehensive review of current core knowledge. The optional Online Review Course (ORC) is a self-paced course composed of study guides, webinars, lectures and practice exams/quizzes to help you prepare for the written exam. It is not required, although it is strongly recommended.  

The Review Course is only open to candidates who are eligible to be a part of the upcoming testing cohort. 

The written exam is administered through Prometric Testing Centers. You may visit Prometric’s website here for more information. 

The Exam may be taken either in person or remotely. You will receive all the information you need prior to taking the exam in your testing cohort materials. For more information on our IFMCP certification process and requirements, click here. 

*Please note that Prometric continues to evaluate the open capacity status of testing centers in their global network. To help ensure the protection of both employees and test takers and to remain in compliance with governmental mandates and recommendations from the CDC and WHO, safety practices will be enacted throughout the testing process and will be dependent on local government guidelines. For more information on Test Center Policies, please click here for the latest Covid-19 Update. 

The case report is a structured PDF template that is based on the Functional Medicine Matrix and following the GOTOIT framework. Candidates receive access to the case report template upon payment of the $850 case report fee and verification of eligibility for the IFMCP written exam. Candidates enter assessment, treatment, and outcomes information into a personalized assigned template.   

Case reports are scored by IFM educators on a pass/fail basis. 

The case report must represent your critical thinking and ability to apply the principles of functional medicine to the benefit of your patient. Candidates are expected to justify and explain their rationales for treatments and interventions throughout the case. You must have sufficient initial assessment information to fill out a Timeline and Matrix, and enough follow-up data that the grader can see how you managed the patient. As such, the case you choose should be a patient: 

1. Who has/had chronic complaints 
2. With whom you are very familiar (You may NOT use yourself or a family member as your case study. Patient encounters must be conducted and documented within a clinical setting.) 
3. On whom you have gathered sufficient initial information 
4. For whom you have collected sufficient information on follow-up visits to present a full case 

A minimum of 4 visits over at least 12 weeks is required. Cases that do not meet minimum visit and length requirements will receive an automatic failure. Objective data, such as laboratory and imaging results, are helpful, but not absolutely necessary. However, the potential lab or imaging that you would consider, even if not ordered, is important to provide as it allows the grader to assess your thinking through the case. A case in which you co-managed the patient can be used, but your narrative should include these interventions and outcomes as well. 

You do not have to have a release from the patient to use the patient’s case. Avoid revealing any identifying information about the patient in your report. 

The written exam is composed of 200 multiple choice questions based on information presented at AFMCP and the six APMs.  Candidates have 4.5 hours to complete the examination. 

Pre and post course webinars, forum discussions, and supplemental material include useful information and are recommended for review; however, the written examination will not draw on these materials (unless stated otherwise). 

If a candidate does not pass one, or both of the two, testing components, then they would have an opportunity to remediate the score(s) they did not pass. For example, if a candidate fails the IFMCP written examination but passes the case report, or who fails the case report but passes the IFMCP written examination, they only need to remediate the failed component (that is, re-take the exam or re-submit a new case report). The passing score on the other testing component will stand. 

Any remediation process needs to be completed within the four years from the date your application was approved. IFMCP remediation testing fees will apply. Please contact IFM for the fee structure at ifmcp@ifm.org. 

Unfortunately, there is no CME provided for the case report, written exam or for the Online Review Course. 

The case fee is a one-time fee until the case has been submitted meaning it can roll with you to a later cohort. However, the exam fee is non-refundable and non-transferable to a different testing window.

Unfortunately, the case report and the written exam do have to be completed during the same testing window.

The IFMCP written examination is currently offered twice a year: typically once in spring and once in the fall. 

You can find current testing dates and deadlines online here.  

IFM understands not everyone can travel so we have made online learning an option. The Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP) course is offered in a self-paced online format. For the Online AFMCP course, learners have 90 days to complete approximately 40 hours of curriculum at their own pace within the 90 days. There are set start and end dates, but within those 90 days candidates can complete the program on their own time and at their own pace. 

The Advanced Practice Modules (APMs) are currently offered in a live stream format, so it is possible to distance learn all of the required certification courses. However, you must attend the APMs live on the dates and times the course is being offered, even if you are participating by live stream, to receive credit for the course. This is different than the self-paced nature of the Online AFMCP course.   

Please click here for the upcoming Conference Calendar which show the dates/locations of our upcoming programs.   

Yes, although we recommend starting with AFMCP whenever possible; however, you may take the courses in any order that works best for you and your schedule. 

Typically, from start to finish, the program costs between $13,000-$17,000 (includes price of all programs, application fee, exam fee, and case report fee). It is not possible to state an exact amount, since course fees do change from time to time and the total cost will depend on what the fees are when each course is taken, whether or not the Candidate is an IFM member, whether she/he is a physician or other level of practitioner, and so forth. The application and testing fees are separate from the cost of the courses. Please note this is based off current tuition rates.   

We do not offer a one-time payment option at this time. 

Some official documentation of graduation is required; transcripts can be accepted if they show actual graduation date and the degree earned. Practitioners can also submit a letter on official letterhead attesting to the completion of their healthcare degree in lieu of the diploma. 

For the IFMCP application, we do require all documents to be translated into English. However, please note these documents do not need to be official transcripts. Please provide both the original document followed by the translated version. 

To maintain certification:  

• Maintain an active healthcare license and   
• Hold a current IFM Membership  

To renew certification:  

• Pass a written examination every tenth year following certification.  
• Provide a copy of your current healthcare practitioner license. 

Functional medicine is not considered a standalone area of medicine and is reliant on conventional medical education and licensure to be able to see and treat patients. IFM Certification Program (IFMCP) does not grant any additional specialty or legal status, practitioners would need to incorporate functional medicine solely into their existing practice. To learn more about our specific eligibility requirements, please click here. 

It can take our team approximately 2-4 weeks for an acceptance decision to be reached. Applicants are notified of their acceptance status by email.  

We recommend applying to the program within your first 2-3 courses. Candidates will not be eligible for testing or updated program recordings until they are formally approved into the program. You can find the requirements for applying to the program online here.  

Becoming an IFM Certified Practitioner establishes you as a leader in the field. Current patient demand far exceeds the number of providers available. IFM Certified Practitioners are recognized as clinicians whose rigorous training and evaluation places them in the top tier of functional medicine practitioners. You can find more information on the benefits of becoming certified online here.  

On average, it takes candidates anywhere from 2 – 2.5 years to complete the program, but the program can be completed as quickly as 18 months. The only time restriction is after you apply and are accepted, you have 4 years from the time you are accepted to complete the seven required courses (6 APMs and AFMCP), the case study, and the written examination.   

We have quite a few medical/healthcare students who are concurrently taking our courses as they complete their degree programs and residencies. Those students usually take our courses as their finances and schedules allow, then once they have completed their degree programs and received their license they apply for our program thereafter. Any courses they took while they were in school automatically count towards their certification and they would not need to re-take anything. 

At this time, IFM does not have any certifications for unlicensed healthcare providers. To learn more about our eligibility requirements, please click here.  

IFM’s Certification Program (IFMCP) requires completion of seven core foundational courses: Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP) and 6 Advanced Practice Modules (APMs). 

Upon completion of those seven courses, approved candidates in the program will be eligible to submit a case study and sit for a written examination to complete the certification process. You can find the full certification process and requirements online here. 

No, you are welcome to start taking courses prior to being accepted into the program. Any courses you take prior to being accepted will automatically count towards certification and you will not have to retake anything once you are formally approved into IFMCP. However if your intent is to become certified, we highly recommend you apply early in the process for the following reasons: 

• You will begin to receive full audio and video recordings from new iterations of IFM Certification Program courses you have moving forward from the date you are officially approved into the program. Please note: the benefit of receiving updated recordings is not retroactive and you will only begin to receive updated recordings after you’ve been approved. If you are not a candidate in the certification program, the course recordings will expire after one year and you will not be eligible to receive the updated recordings.   
• If there is any obstacle to your acceptance into the program, it can be identified and remediated. 
• Once you have applied and been accepted into IFM’s Certification Program, IFM will be able to alert you to specific news, updates, and opportunities related to the certification program. 

If you have any concern regarding your eligibility into the program, you are encouraged to apply before taking any IFM courses. You can find the requirements for applying to the program online here. 

The button automatically switches to “Complete” after being clicked on, even if you are not yet finished with the course. This does not affect your ability to access any folder (including course materials, livestream, and/or the assessment). When attending a livestream event, you will need to click on items that say “Complete” in order to re-access the broadcasts after break times.

We welcome requests from individuals and organizations and others to use our logo and content.

Logo: We encourage IFMCPs to display the IFMCP badge on their intranet sites. To request permission, please fill out the Permission Request Form.

IFM Content: We encourage individuals, academics, and others to cite IFM’s content. To request permission, please fill out the Permission Request Form.

Linking to our Website: You may hyperlink directly to IFM resources on our website without written permission. Unauthorized uploading of IFM materials (such as PDFs) to your site without prior consent is prohibited.

Yes, this financing option is only available for purchases totaling $950 or greater.

Yes, you may purchase multiples courses in one transaction and they will all be added to the same financing plan.

Yes, you can use your current Affirm account. Please note that each transaction is financed separately.

Your information is stored with Affirm. No one at IFM will have access to your loan or other loan-related information. See the Affirm Privacy Policy

Yes, your Affirm account is completely separate from your IFM account. For login or account assistance go to Access Affirm Account.

No, please contact Affirm directly. See Account Assistance for more information.

No, unfortunately IFM is unable to provide financing, which is why we partner with Affirm. Go to Affirm Loan Assistance for more information.

Affirm does not charge late fees, but you will need to work with them directly on late or missed payments. See more information here.

Yes, your loan with Affirm can be paid off in full, at any time. See more information here.

Affirm is an outside organization from which you are borrowing money. As with any loan, interest in charged. You may think of interest as the “cost” of borrowing money.

No, unfortunately this rate is an agreement with Affirm for providing their services.

To contact the Affirm customer service team please Click Here or call toll-free 855-423-3729 from 7 am – 7pm CST, seven days a week. Or use the appropriate link below:

• Affirm privacy policy
• Account Assistance
• Access Affirm account
• Loan not approved
• Additional Questions
• Military interest rate
• Affirm Help Center

Yes, recordings (MP3, MP4, & PDFs) and other course materials are included in your tuition and will be made available after the course ends. Participants can assess these materials for one year, after which they are removed from the portal. We recommend you download materials you wish to keep prior to the one-year deadline.

Log in to the IFM website using your email address and password.
Select My Education from the menu on the left.
Select My Courses.
Select the Live Stream category.
Navigate to this course and select Launch.

IFM has implemented some changes to the appearance of My Education dashboard and course views layout. The functionality has not changed. you will still access your courses, course materials, and other resources from the dashboard. Along with the improved layout, you will find:

• A calendar view for you to track when your courses are expiring
• Enhanced mobile device functionality
• Added browser support

Adjusting cookie settings varies depending on your web browser. Please click on the appropriate link below for instructions:

•  Mozilla Firefox
•  Internet Explorer
•  Google Chrome
•  Safari
•  Safari on iOS (iPhones, iPads, iPods)

Please note that disabling cookies will compromise your user experience. You will have difficulty using account features, making purchases, and some online learning features may not function at all.

Your computer or mobile device should meet the following technology requirements:

1. Access to a high-speed internet connection: 3.5 Mbps download speed or higher
2. Uses a supported operating system: Windows 7 or newer, Mac OS 10.7 or newer.
3. Uses a supported browser: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Internet Explorer 11, Android (Tablet/Mobile) or Safari5 (macOS/iOS).
4.  Functioning internal or external speakers.

The IFM Facebook Groups are moderated on an ongoing basis by the IFM Medical Education Team, so you may receive a response from a staff member. Occasionally, IFM educators will post or interact with other comments. 

Anyone who is a member of the private FB group will be able to see your posts. If you are posting about a patient case, you must maintain HIPAA compliance by removing all personally identifying health information

The purpose of the IFM Facebook Group is to expand upon your AFMCP experience and provide a place to ask questions, share experiences & knowledge, and create community.  

The IFM Community Facebook Group is intended to be a place where functional medicine clinicians who have taken advanced IFM coursework can share their knowledge, collaborate with one another, and create community. It is also a place where IFM is able to interact with our community through clinical content sharing and broad discussion. The requirement for admission to the IFM AFMCP Facebook Group is enrollment in or completion of AFMCP. 

Facebook users will need to “request to join,” answer a few questions about their enrollment status and the name on their account. Once submitted, an IFM staff member will admit them to the group (usually within 24 hours). 

Please call us at 800.228.0622, or email the CME team at CME@IFM.org.

1. Login to your IFM account.
2. Click on “Claim My CME” in the menu bar to the left.
3. Click “CME Proof of Attendance” beneath the course title. This will not appear until the last day of the course.
4. Check the boxes next to the sessions you attended and click “Submit Timecard” at the bottom of the page. A certificate will be automatically generated.
5. To access your certificate, click the “My Transcripts” link at the top of the page.
6. Under the “Certificates” section, click Download next to the course.

Please follow the instructions here.

Apple recommends using a laptop or desktop computer in conjunction with your iPad.

• First, open the link you wish to watch later in your preferred web browser on your computer.
• Next, download the video to your computer and add it to iTunes.
• Connect your iPad and computer with the USB cable and then sync.

This will transfer the video file to your iPad. Disconnect the device, and you will now be able to watch the video offline. For more information on accessing materials on your iPad, please refer to our Tablet Technology Guide.

Here are steps you can take if you are having issues accessing a course:

1. Try accessing the course in a different browser. (We recommend Mozilla Firefox).
2. Content may also be blocked if you are accessing the course from a public or work computer. Try again from a home computer.
3. Select the “refresh” button in your browser to reload the page.
4. Ensure your software is up to date:
   •  Flash player plug-in
   •  JavaScript
   •  Adobe Acrobat
5. Check to ensure cookies are enabled in your browser settings.
6. Clear your browser cache. Clearing your cache varies depending on your web browser. Please click on the appropriate link below for instructions:
   •  Mozilla Firefox
   •  Internet Explorer
   •  Google Chrome
   •  Safari
   •  Safari on iOS (iPhones, iPads, iPods)

As a member, you have access to IFM-developed PowerPoint presentations to help you present information about Functional Medicine to your colleagues. To access these presentations:

1. Log in to the IFM website using your email address and password.
2. Select “My Certification & Membership” from the menu on the left.
3. Here you will find your progress in IFM’s Certification Program and membership details. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to the “My Memberships” section.
4. Click “Launch” next to “Membership Resource Center and Toolkit Access”. Note: You will see the date your membership will expire.
5. Here you will find all of your membership resources.

Log into your account, then click “My Practitioner Profile.” If you would like your profile to be seen by other IFM members only, please check the box marked, “Restrict my profile to IFM Members only.” This box is found at the bottom of the page.

Whether or not you mark the box, you may also include information that only other members may see. This private information may be found under the heading, “Information for Member Listing (Private).”

Make your changes and click “Save Profile” at the bottom of the page.

Updates will be applied immediately to your listing. Enter the information you would like to appear in the Member Directory, and remember to activate your profile to appear in the search.

Log in to your online account. Then go to the Find A Practitioner page and search by location. As a member, you will see Member-only information in the practitioners’ profiles (if they have completed those fields).

We do not offer a special badge or other designation for IFM membership.

1. Log in to the IFM website using your email address and password. Note: If you are logging in to our new website for the first time, you will need to reset your password.
2. Select “My Toolkit” from the menu on the left.
3. Note: The link will only appear if your membership is current. If you do not see the link, check your membership status from the “My Certification & Membership” tab on the left.

Your 10% discount will be applied automatically to any applicable program program or product you purchase at IFM.org when you are logged in. You will see the discounted price reflected in your cart at checkout.

1. Log in to the IFM website using your email address and password. Note: If you are logging in to our new website for the first time, you will need to reset your password.
2. Select “My Certification & Membership” from the menu on the left.
3. Here you will find your progress in IFM’s Certification Program and membership details. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to the “My Memberships” section.
4. Click “Launch” next to “Membership Resource Center and Toolkit Access”. Note: You will see the date your membership will expire.
5. Here you will find all of your membership resources and the Natural Medicines Database. Click “Launch” to open it.

Please call us at 800.228.0622 or email the Experience Team, at info@ifm.org.

To access previous iterations of the Connections Newsletter:

1. Log in to the IFM website using your email address and password. Note: If you are logging in to our new website for the first time, you will need to reset your password.
2. Select “My Certification & Membership” from the menu on the left.
3. Here you will find your progress in IFM’s Certification Program and membership details. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to the “Resource Center” section.
4. Click “Launch” next to “Membership Resource Center & Toolkit Access.” Note: You will see the date your membership will expire.
5. Here you will find all of your membership resources and Connections archives.

Membership expiration information may be found in the following way:

1. Log in to the IFM website using your email address and password. Note: If you are logging in to our new website for the first time, you will need to reset your password.
2. Select “My Certification & Membership” from the menu on the left.
3. Here you will find your progress in IFM’s Certification Program and membership details. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to the “Resource Center” section to learn when your Membership will expire. If nothing appears in this section (or the section does not exist), most likely you need to renew your Membership, which you may do here. If you believe the lack of Membership is an error, please contact Margaret Parus, partner experience and engagement assistant, at margaretparus@ifm.org
   or 800.228.0622.

No. Partial registration is not available for any of our courses.

Yes.

Three or more members of the same clinic who register together are eligible to receive $500 off AFMCP tuition and $250 off APM tuition.

Groups of 10-14 members of the same clinic who register together are each eligible to receive $550 off AFMCP and $275 off APM tuition.

Groups of 15-19 members of the same clinic who register together are each eligible to receive $600 off AFMCP.

Groups of 20 or more members of the same clinic who register together are each eligible to receive $650 off AFMCP.

Official Rules/Restrictions

• Group conference registrations must be purchased at one time with a single payment.
• Individuals must be from the same organization, academic institution, or practice.
• Each conference registration under this policy will be treated as an individual registration. Course materials and/or benefits may not be shared with others.
• Membership discounts may be used in addition to group conference registrations. However, scholarships or student discounts may not be used. No additional discounts may be used.

How to Participate

• Ensure that all practitioners included have an account set up on the IFM website.
• Gather the names, mailing addresses, email addresses, and primary degrees of participants.
• Send information to IFM’s Accounting Coordinator Andrew Wright at andrewwright@ifm.org and include the credit card information to process the payment. You may also call Andrew at 253.661.3027.

1. Log in to the IFM website using your email address and password.
2. Select “My Education” from the menu on the left.
3. Select “My Courses.”
4. Select the appropriate category.
5. Navigate to the appropriate course and select “Launch.”

We do not have a dress code at our in-person programs. Attendees typically wear business or business casual attire.

Mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks are gluten-free and dairy-free and are prepared within the IFM Elimination Diet guidelines. We also provide a list of nearby restaurants with menus that are friendly to those with special dietary needs. The restaurant list will be added to your pre-course materials.

Audio and video recordings are only available to attendees of the program. We do not sell the presentation slides or audio or video recordings of any conference that is part of the IFM Certification Program.

Only registered attendees with name badges will be allowed in the conference room. Children, unregistered spouses, and unregistered staff members may not attend the program or sponsored events.

Go to the Learning Center and search for the program you plan to attend. Hotel booking information will be listed in the course description.

Yes. You may post your request “My Forums.” To post the request, follow these instructions:

1. Log in to the IFM website using your email address and password.
2. Select “My Forums” from the menu on the left.
3. Click on the appropriate course during which you are searching for a room.
4. Click on the “Community Connections” thread.
5. Type in your request, and do not forget to include a compelling Topic Title. We also recommend checking the box marked, “Notify me of follow-up replies via email.” Click “Submit.”

Visit the Learning Center and search for the program you are interested in. The schedule will be listed in the course description.

• Log in to the IFM website using your email address and password.
• Select My Education from the menu on the left.
• Select My Courses.
• Select the Livestream category.
• Navigate to this course and select Launch.
• If you have trouble accessing your account, please contact us at info@ifm.org

While you cannot pause the program, there are scheduled break times. If you miss any sessions, you will be able to review the recordings afterward.

Presentations are broadcasted in Pacific Time. To find out when the conference will be broadcast in your time zone, we recommend using this World Time Converter. View the schedule for the program you plan to attend to find out which time sessions will begin.

Use the system checker in the location and on the device you intend to use to access the live-stream program.

IFM applies to Northwestern Health Sciences University to obtain CEUs for Doctor of Chiropractics (DCs) for AFMCPs (US only) and APMs. Some states approve CEUs and some do not. For more information, please contact IFM’s CME department at cme@ifm.org.

Live, synchronous participation is required for IFM livestream programs. You must participate in the broadcast by logging into your own IFM account to receive CME credit and to fulfill IFM Certification Program requirements. Live-stream login information is unique and cannot be shared. Those who do not log in through their own IFM account during the livestream will be removed from the program and will not receive program materials, recordings, CME credit, or credit toward the IFM Certification Program.

Yes. As part of your course tuition, you will receive access to an introductory video immediately after you register. Additional course materials will be provided approximately one week prior to the start of the course. We also recommend you take one or both of our free online learning courses, Introduction to Functional Medicine and Introduction to Functional Nutrition.

Many learners find taking AFMCP first helps them to understand IFM’s proprietary tools, such as the Functional Medicine Matrix, and provides context for the skills, processes, and science behind incorporating Functional Medicine principles into practice. The course is offered multiple times each year in order to meet the needs of clinicians wishing to begin their IFM education with AFMCP. However, AFMCP is not a prerequisite to take any IFM course if you are comfortable with the material to be presented.

No. AFMCP is one of seven required courses in the IFM Certification Program. In addition to AFMCP, you must complete the six Advanced Practice Modules as required coursework for the IFM Certification Program.

After attending AFMCP, you will be eligible to list your profile in our Find A Practitioner search as long as you are also enrolled in the IFM Membership Program. Before your profile is listed, however, you must fill in your practice information and activate your profile to appear in the search. Here are the following instructions to activate your profile:

1. Log in to the IFM website using your email address and password.
2. Click on “My Practitioner Profile” in the left hand menu of the account page.
3. Update your information as you would like it to appear on your listing.
4. Make sure to follow instruction to generate the Google GPS coordinates.
5. At the bottom of the page change your visibility preferences to “Show my profile in Find A Practitioner results.” (Leave the other option un-checked).
6. Click the “Save Profile” button at the bottom of the page to save your information.

IFM encourages a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. We welcome a variety of licensed healthcare disciplines to AFMCP, including MDs, DOs, NDs, DCs, pharmacists, physician assistants, nursing professionals, and nutrition professionals.

Try to identify the larger category your condition may belong to. For example, rheumatoid arthritis may be categorized under Autoimmune Diseases. Searching within the larger category will give you a more comprehensive list of practitioners to choose from.

You can expand your search to include nearby cities or other locations you travel to on a frequent basis. You can also search for practitioners who offer online or phone consultations using the Advanced Search.

Because everyone’s situation and health needs are unique, we can’t recommend specific practitioners. We encourage you to use the Advanced Search to identify the qualities you’re looking for in a practitioner. In addition, you’ll notice that IFM Certified Practitioners receive a special designation in the search results. IFM Certified Practitioners have completed the highest level of training we offer and have passed a rigorous written examination.

Practitioners from around the globe are listed in our practitioner search. Major metropolitan areas in the United States are most likely to have the highest concentration of practitioners.

Some practitioners are available for phone or online consultation. Choose “Advanced Search” and select phone or online consultation to refine your search results.

Functional Medicine practitioners operate many different practice types. When you go to the Find A Practitioner search, choose “Advanced Search” and select the payment option you prefer to limit your search results to practitioners who meet your criteria. In some cases, you may need to call the practitioner’s office to find out if they accept your specific insurance plan.

Here are some questions that may help you decide which practitioner in your Find A Practitioner search results may be right for you.

Read our introduction to Working with a Functional Medicine Practitioner here. More patient resources may be found in our Patient Resource Center.

The Find A Practitioner search has more than 125,000 searches each month.

Go to the My Profile area of your online account to update your listing. Enter the address of your clinic and select “View in Google Maps” to ensure the system has identified the correct address.

If you’re a practitioner and you’ve already attended our foundational course, Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice, and are enrolled in our Membership Program, you can update your Find A Practitioner listing by following these instructions:

1. Log in to the IFM website using your email address and password.
2. Click on “My Practitioner Profile” in the left hand menu of the account page.
3. Update your information as you would like it to appear on your listing.
4. At the bottom of the page change your visibility preferences to “Show my profile in Find A Practitioner results.” (Leave the other option un-checked if you would like to keep your profile private).
5. Click the “Save Profile” button at the bottom of the page to save your information.

A few tips:

• Enter the address of your clinic and select “View in Google Maps” to ensure the correct address is identified. Most patients search for a practitioner by location, so this step can make your profile visible to more patients.
• Select the specialties and conditions that apply to your clinical practice.
• Specify the billing model you use in your practice so that patients know what to expect when they come in for their first office visit.
• Take advantage of the text fields to provide more information about your training, your practice, or your staff.
• Try searching for your profile on the Find A Practitioner page using various search terms and adjust the information in your profile as needed.

In order to have your profile listed on Find A Practitioner, you must attend our foundational course, Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP), and also be enrolled in our Membership Program. Practitioners who complete the full IFM Certification Program receive a special designation in the search, so patients know they have completed the highest level of Functional Medicine training available.

Technical support is provided by our live-stream provider Digitell:

Email Support: support@digitellinc.com
Phone Support: (Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm Eastern)
Toll-Free: 877.796.1325
International: 1.716.664.2041

In addition to the listed times above, support is available during live streams beginning one hour before the start and continuing until 30 minutes after the last session ends.