Qualifications Recognised by IFA
The International Federation of Aromatherapists (IFA) is an Awarding Body as well as a Professional Body for aromatherapists. This means that whilst we offer our own vocational qualifications in aromatherapy, which automatically entitles successful candidates on completion to FULL/PEOT/CARER membership, we also acknowledge and register those with qualifications from other providers and recognise ‘of equal' qualifications. This enables practitioners from different academic backgrounds to join the IFA and come under the umbrella of our professional network.
Recognised Qualifications
Below outlines the qualifications we accept for each category of membership we offer to qualified practitioners. To download this page as a PDF click here.
Associate Membership
The IFA recognise qualifications that have met the UK National Occupational Standards (NOS) and Aromatherapy Core Curriculum requirements as Associate Members.
- National Occupational Standards (NOS) - these are statements that describe the minimum an individual needs to be able to do, know and understand in order to be safe and competent to practice.
- Aromatherapy Core Curriculum - these define the minimum overall aims and learning outcomes, module/units, practice hours, case studies and assessments to measure the learners understanding and knowledge in aromatherapy.
When applying for associate membership, please provide certificates which evidence that you have successfully passed Aromatherapy, Massage (full body) and Anatomy & Physiology to a minimum of a level 3 and have been assessed by an independent body.
NB: *Please note courses delivered entirely by distance learning do not meet IFA requirements. Parts of the massage module and blending of products, as a minimum, must have been undertaken face to face (supervised) in order to verify the student has correctly applied the techniques they have been taught.
Qualifications awarded by the following examining bodies in Aromatherapy will be accepted as Associate Members:
- ABC Level 3
- AEAJ (in Japan) Level 4
- CIBTAC (Confederation of International Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology) Level 3
- CIDESCO (Comite International d'Esthetique et de Cosmetologie) Level 3
- CITY & GUILDS Level 3
- IFPA (International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists) Aromatherapy Diploma (proof of diploma including massage required - not membership)
- IHLT52315 - Diploma of Clinical Aromatherapy (Australia)
- ITEC (International Therapy Examination Council) Level 3
- NCFE (National Advisory Council for Further Education) Level 4
- SCOTEV & SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority) Level 4
- VTCT (Vocational Training Charitable Trust) Level 3 or 4
*We appreciate that qualifications have been discontinued that would have been equivalent at the time of attainment e.g. AAPA, APNT, BTEC, IHHT, NVQ for example. If this applies to you, please send a copy of your qualification to the head office for approval, accompanied by relevant evidence of professional bodies you have maintained in the interim and or CV.
Proof of membership of belonging to the following professional bodies will also be accepted as having met the requirement:
- CFA (Canadian Federation of Aromatherapy)
- CHP (Complementary Health Professionals)
- NARD (in Japan)
For those whose qualifications are not listed – you will need to supply evidence of having completed training equivalent to the Aromatherapy Core Curriculum in terms of contents, hours (300) and assessment methods e.g. by supplying the course syllabus – which will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The list of qualifications we recognise is under continual review. The onus of supplying evidence rests on the applicant.
Full Membership
Completed the IFA Professional Aromatherapy Diploma - The link to register will be sent to individuals on successful completion of exams or please provide your student registration number as we will have your diploma on record.
Equivalent Qualifications
The IFA recognise the following qualifications as ‘of equal’ to the IFA Professional Aromatherapy Diploma level of attainment as FULL members:
- Neals Yard Remedies - Aromatherapy & Essential Oil Science Diploma
- The Institute of Traditional Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy
- SCQF (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) Level 8
- University Degrees (UCAS, BSc etc.) in Complementary Medicine and have a massage qualification e.g. Napier University Edinburgh - Bachelor of Science in Complementary Therapies (Aromatherapy)
In addition, the following qualifications would have been equivalent to the IFA Professional Aromatherapy Diploma at the time of attainment. Please note the time constraints that apply*
- IAAMA (International Aromatherapy and Aromatic Medicine Association) - before 2008 (Formerly IFA Australia branch).
- ISPA (International Society of Professional Aromatherapists) - before 2002
- RQA (Register of Qualified Aromatherapists) - before 2002
- Melbourne College of Natural Medicine - before 2008
For those whose qualifications are not listed – you will need to supply evidence of having completed training equivalent to the IFA Professional Aromatherapy Diploma in terms of contents (e.g. 70 essential oils), hours and assessment methods e.g. by supplying the course syllabus – which will be judged on a case-by-case basis. A mapping questionnaire is available upon request.. The list of qualifications we recognise is under continual review. The onus of supplying evidence rests on the applicant.
During the review you may be referred to upgrade your qualification to be eligible for full membership, in which case you will need to enrol on an upgrade course to bridge the gaps between your current qualification and the IFA Diploma. For more information click here.
PEOT Membership
Completed the IFA Professional Essential Oils Therapy (PEOT) Diploma - The link to register will be sent to individuals on successful completion of exams or please provide your student registration number as we will have your diploma on record.
Equivalent Qualifications
As this is a fairly new qualification there are currently no equivalences on the market though we appreciate that some courses may be equivalent to components of it.
Applicants for equivalence would need to supply evidence of having completed training equivalent to the IFA Professional Essential Oils Therapy (PEOT) Diploma in terms of contents (e.g. 90 essential oils), hours, assessment e.g. by supplying the course syllabus and have a product making diploma. These will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The list of qualifications we recognise is under continual review. The onus of supplying evidence rests on the applicant.
Qualifications Attained from Multiple Providers
We appreciate that some practitioners take modules comprising an Aromatherapy Diploma with different providers. Below you can find qualifications we can accept for A&P and Massage components:
Massage Qualifications
- AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association) – ASSOCIATE & FULL
- ABMP (Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals) – ASSOCIATE & FULL
Anatomy and Physiology
- Gill Tree Training – ASSOCIATE & FULL
- Level 3 or 4 A&P Qualifications provided by VTCT, ITEC for example
This list is not exhaustive – please provide a copy of your qualification for review.