Credentials
Is IFMCP a board certification?
No. IFMCP is a training certificate from the Institute for Functional Medicine, a private education organization, not a specialty board certification. IFM says the IFMCP program does not grant additional specialty or legal status, and holders use it within the limits of their existing license.[7][1]
What IFMCP is
IFMCP is the Institute for Functional Medicine’s certification program, built around coursework, advanced modules, a written exam, and case-based evaluation. It is open to practitioners with different underlying licenses, which is why the credential can appear after very different degree and license strings.[7][1]
Why it is not physician board certification
Physician board certification is tied to accredited residency and fellowship training through recognized specialty boards. IFMCP holders do not appear in Certification Matters, the public lookup for the 24 recognized physician specialty boards, which is a sign that IFMCP is not one of those physician specialty board certifications.[2]
What it does and does not change
IFMCP does not expand what the holder’s underlying state license permits. Scope of practice comes from the state board that issues the license, not from the credential itself, and a doctoral degree is separate from a license to practice medicine, with “Dr.” reflecting the degree rather than licensure.[7]
How to read the title
If someone uses IFMCP after their name, that shows completion of IFM’s functional medicine training program. It does not by itself mean the person is board certified in a physician specialty or licensed to practice medicine beyond what their own state license allows.[1][7]
Check it yourself
Related
FAQ
Does IFMCP grant any extra legal authority?+
No.
Read the full answerHide the full answer
No. IFM says IFMCP does not grant additional specialty or legal status, and practitioners use it within the scope of their existing practice and license.[7]
Is IFMCP the same as physician board certification?+
No.
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No. Physician board certification is associated with the recognized physician specialty boards listed through Certification Matters, while IFMCP is an IFM training certification and is not listed there.[2][7]
Does IFMCP mean someone is a doctor?+
No.
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No. A doctoral degree and a license to practice medicine are different things, and “Dr.” reflects the degree, not board certification or medical licensure.[7]