---
title: What is the International Board of Functional Medicine Certification (IBFMC)™ and what is its purpose?
description: What is the International Board of Functional Medicine Certification (IBFMC)™ and what is its purpose?
---

[Skip to content](https://help.ifm.org/-#main-content)

[![IFM-logo-RGB-RT.png\]](https://help.ifm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/IFM%20Logos/IFM-logo-RGB-RT.png?height=41&name=IFM-logo-RGB-RT.png)](https://www.ifm.org/)

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

 Hello. How can we help you?

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

1. [Help Center Home](https://help.ifm.org/?hsLang=en)
2. [Certification](https://help.ifm.org/certification?hsLang=en)
3. [General Information](https://help.ifm.org/certification?hsLang=en#general-information)

# What is the International Board of Functional Medicine Certification (IBFMC)™ and what is its purpose?

The International Board of Functional Medicine Certification (IBFMC) is an autonomous, volunteer governance body that establishes and upholds professional standards for functional medicine certification. It was established in 2025 by the IFM Governing Board of Directors to oversee the new Functional Medicine Certification Program™ (Certification Program). The Certification Program is administered by IFM, but the IBFMC™ is a separate certification board with authority and responsibility for overseeing essential certification activities. Guided by professional certification program accreditation standards, the IBFMC™ protects the independence and integrity of the certification process.

 

Learn more about the [IBFMC Leadership.](https://www.ifm.org/certification/ibfmc-leadership)

- [Website Troubleshooting](https://help.ifm.org/website-troubleshooting?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Solutions to Common Website Troubles](https://help.ifm.org/website-troubleshooting?hsLang=en#solutions-to-common-website-troubles)
    - [Most common account questions](https://help.ifm.org/website-troubleshooting?hsLang=en#most-common-account-questions)
- [Courses, Conferences, and Products](https://help.ifm.org/courses-conferences-and-products?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [AIC In Person](https://help.ifm.org/courses-conferences-and-products?hsLang=en#aic-in-person)
    - [Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP)](https://help.ifm.org/courses-conferences-and-products?hsLang=en#applying-functional-medicine-in-clinical-practice-afmcp)
    - [Course Materials](https://help.ifm.org/courses-conferences-and-products?hsLang=en#course-materials)
    - [Participation](https://help.ifm.org/courses-conferences-and-products?hsLang=en#participation)
    - [Technical Support](https://help.ifm.org/courses-conferences-and-products?hsLang=en#technical-support)
    - [Certification Course Registrations](https://help.ifm.org/courses-conferences-and-products?hsLang=en#certification-course-registrations)
    - [Retake](https://help.ifm.org/courses-conferences-and-products?hsLang=en#retake)
- [Payment Options](https://help.ifm.org/payment-options?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Affirm](https://help.ifm.org/payment-options?hsLang=en#affirm)
    - [Payment types](https://help.ifm.org/payment-options?hsLang=en#payment-types)
- [CME](https://help.ifm.org/cme?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [How to Claim CME/CE Hours](https://help.ifm.org/cme?hsLang=en#how-to-claim-cme-ce-hours)
    - [Certificates and Transcripts](https://help.ifm.org/cme?hsLang=en#certificates-and-transcripts)
- [Certification](https://help.ifm.org/certification?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [General Information](https://help.ifm.org/certification?hsLang=en#general-information)
    - [Eligibility Requirements](https://help.ifm.org/certification?hsLang=en#eligibility-requirements)
    - [Application Process](https://help.ifm.org/certification?hsLang=en#application-process)
    - [Exam](https://help.ifm.org/certification?hsLang=en#exam)
    - [Transition Process for Currently Certified IFMCPs](https://help.ifm.org/certification?hsLang=en#transition-process-for-currently-certified-ifmcps)
    - [Digital Badge](https://help.ifm.org/certification?hsLang=en#digital-badge)
    - [Pilot Program](https://help.ifm.org/certification?hsLang=en#pilot-program)
    - [Maintenance of Certification (MOC)](https://help.ifm.org/certification?hsLang=en#maintenance-of-certification-moc)
    - [Earning Professional Development Hours (PDH) for MOC](https://help.ifm.org/certification?hsLang=en#earning-professional-development-hours-pdh-for-moc)
- [Memberships and Discounts](https://help.ifm.org/memberships-and-discounts?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Membership & Resources](https://help.ifm.org/memberships-and-discounts?hsLang=en#membership-resources)
    - [Toolkit](https://help.ifm.org/memberships-and-discounts?hsLang=en#toolkit)
    - [Newsletter](https://help.ifm.org/memberships-and-discounts?hsLang=en#newsletter)
    - [Group Discounts](https://help.ifm.org/memberships-and-discounts?hsLang=en#group-discounts)
    - [Student Discount](https://help.ifm.org/memberships-and-discounts?hsLang=en#student-discount)
    - [Military Discount](https://help.ifm.org/memberships-and-discounts?hsLang=en#military-discount)
    - [Partnerships](https://help.ifm.org/memberships-and-discounts?hsLang=en#partnerships)
    - [Member Forum](https://help.ifm.org/memberships-and-discounts?hsLang=en#member-forum)
- [Find a Practitioner](https://help.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Patient Inquiries](https://help.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner?hsLang=en#patient-inquiries)
    - [My Practitioner Profile](https://help.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner?hsLang=en#my-practitioner-profile)
- [IFM Facebook and Community Forum Groups](https://help.ifm.org/ifm-facebook-and-community-forum-groups?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [IFM Community Forum and Facebook Groups](https://help.ifm.org/ifm-facebook-and-community-forum-groups?hsLang=en#ifm-community-forum-and-facebook-groups)
- [Technical Support](https://help.ifm.org/technical-support?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Technical Support](https://help.ifm.org/technical-support?hsLang=en#technical-support)
- [Permissions and Policies](https://help.ifm.org/permissions-and-policies?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Copyright](https://help.ifm.org/permissions-and-policies?hsLang=en#copyright)
    - [Contact Information](https://help.ifm.org/permissions-and-policies?hsLang=en#contact-information)
- [Partnerships & Exhibiting](https://help.ifm.org/partnerships-exhibiting?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Partnerships](https://help.ifm.org/partnerships-exhibiting?hsLang=en#partnerships)
    - [Exhibiting/Industry Partnerships](https://help.ifm.org/partnerships-exhibiting?hsLang=en#exhibiting-industry-partnerships)
    - [Sponsorship](https://help.ifm.org/partnerships-exhibiting?hsLang=en#sponsorship)
- [Scholarships](https://help.ifm.org/scholarships?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Scholarship Awards](https://help.ifm.org/scholarships?hsLang=en#scholarship-awards)
    - [Types of Scholarships](https://help.ifm.org/scholarships?hsLang=en#types-of-scholarships)
    - [Eligibility](https://help.ifm.org/scholarships?hsLang=en#eligibility)
    - [Applications](https://help.ifm.org/scholarships?hsLang=en#applications)

[![The Institute for Functional Medicine](https://help.ifm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/IFM%20Logos/ifm_logo_200_transparent.png?width=200&height=62&name=ifm_logo_200_transparent.png "The Institute for Functional Medicine")](http://IFM.org)

Copyright © 2025, Institute for Functional Medicine