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Certification
General Information
- What specific documentation must I upload to the Certification Hub to receive PDH credit for Continuing Education and Training?
- Why are there limits on how many hours I can earn in some PDH categories?
- As a certified professional, how does the license reverification process for Maintenance of Certification (MOC) work?
- As an exam candidate, how does the license reverification process work, and how can it impact my exam registration or accessing my exam results?
- Once my application is approved, how long do I have to take the exam?
- How will certification impact my professional recognition and credibility?
- Who serves on the IBFMC™ and how is its leadership structured?
- What are the primary responsibilities of the IBFMC™?
- What is the International Board of Functional Medicine Certification (IBFMC)™ and what is its purpose?
- Can certification help with my career growth and development?
- How does certification benefit my patients?
- Why get certified?
- What can I do with a functional medicine certification?
- What are the Functional Medicine Certification Program fees?
- Where can I find more detailed information about the Functional Medicine Certification Program™?
Eligibility Requirements
- Do I have to be accepted into Functional Medicine Certification Program™ before I can register for an IFM Course?
- Are IFM’s courses required for certification?
- Why do you require a healthcare license for certification eligibility?
- I am currently completing my degree but am very interested in functional medicine. Can I apply for certification?
- I’m interested in becoming certified, but I am not a licensed healthcare professional. How do I become certified?
Application Process
- Is the application for the new program available?
- What information will I need to complete my application?
- How do I complete my application?
- Will you accept a transcript in lieu of a diploma?
- How long does it take for my application to be reviewed?
- If my healthcare license, transcript, or diploma is not in English, does it need to be translated?
Exam
- I received a Did Not Pass result. What are my next steps to become certified?
- How are exam scores reported?
- Where can I find my exam results?
- Can I defer my exam to a different testing window, and what are the policies?
- What should I do if my legal name has changed or doesn't match my ID?
- How do I request reasonable testing accommodations?
- Do test questions ask about IFM models, tools, or use IFM nomenclature (e.g. GOTOIT, Cardio Food Plan, etc.)?
- What is the format and structure of the certification exam?
- What information will I be tested on in the written exam?
- When is the written exam offered?
- Where do I take the written exam?
- Will I be able to take the exam at a location near my home?
- Can I test at home?
Transition Process for Currently Certified IFMCPs
- Do I have to take any action to be transitioned into the new Functional Medicine Certification Program™?
- What happens if I don’t claim my new credential?
- I certified as an IFMCP in 2024 or 2025, and my certificate has a 2026 expiration date. What does that mean for my certification?
- What is my new renewal date?
- Why did the renewal period change from 10 years in the IFMCP program to six years in the new program?
- How were the renewal dates selected?
- Why can’t I keep my IFMCP designation?
- I am currently certified. How do I access the new Certification Hub?
- Do I need to complete professional development hours (PDH) to transition to my new credential?
- Will I receive a new badge when I accept my credential?
- When can I begin earning PDH?
- How do I submit my professional development hours (PDH)?
- How many professional development hours will I need to renew my credential?
- What is the “look-back” period?
Digital Badge
- What is a digital badge?
- What are the benefits of a digital badge?
- Who is Accredible?
- How is my credential displayed as a badge?
- Is there a fee to use Accredible or accept a badge?
- How will I know I’ve received a badge?
- How do I claim my badge?
- Where can I share my digital badge?
- What if I didn't receive the email to claim my badge?
- Can I still get a paper certificate?
- Can I control who sees my badge?
- I was certified under the previous IFM Certification Program (IFMCP). Will I receive a badge for that program?
- I am an IFMCP who is transitioning into the new Certification Program. When will I receive my new credential badge?
Pilot Program
Maintenance of Certification (MOC)
- How do I maintain and renew my certification?
- How long is my certification valid?
- How do I apply for renewal?
- Do I need to maintain my healthcare license after I’ve earned my certification?
- How do I confirm that I am still actively licensed?
- Do I have to earn CME to maintain my certification?
- Do I have to retake the exam to maintain my certification?
Earning Professional Development Hours (PDH) for MOC
- Do IFM's core curriculum programs (AFMCP and APMs) provide professional development hours (PDH) for the Functional Medicine Certification Program?
- What are professional development hours (PDH)?
- When can I begin earning professional development hours (PDH)?
- How do I earn professional development hours (PDH)?
- Will I have to provide supporting documentation with my PDH entries?
- For professional development hours (PDH) in the Continuing Education and Training category, does it have to be designated as CE/CME?
- Will there be more PDH opportunities in the future?
- For professional development hours (PDH) in the Continuing Education and Training category, what if the training was provided by a commercial entity or product company?
- I have taken IFM’s programs. Do I need to submit my certificates of completion?