Key points:

• The IFA Quality Mark is recognised internationally with our practitioners operating worldwide (currently in 47 countries)
   
• The IFA is an accredited register by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA), a UK body accountable to parliament. Registration includes listing and registration on the IFA PSA accredited register
   
• The General Medical Council advice doctors to refer patients to practitioners on the IFA PSA Accredited Register
   
• The Government Department of Health refer the public to practitioners on the IFA PSA Accredited Register

• The IFA is referred to by the NHS
   
• The IFA is recommended by the UK Government National Career Office as the professional body of choice for aromatherapists to support them throughout their career.

Applies to the following categories: FULL, PEOT & Associate members

IFA registered postgraduate members appear on the IFA PSA accredited register which employers and clients check to verify a therapist. It confirms that you have met the highest standards of professional practice in your work, which builds trust and confidence with clients, the public and healthcare providers.

It also drives more business to your website and you can manage your own listing online. Last year, the IFA’s searchable register was viewed more than 64,000 times.

Registered FULL, PEOT and ASSOCIATE members may use the suffix M.I.F.A after their name so you can be clearly identified as belonging to the IFA when introducing yourself and your business to the public.

Registered members are also permitted to use the IFA (& PSA logo if operating within the UK) tailored to your category of membership on your website and promotional material for marketing purposes. This is sent to members by email after registering. 

The Government Department of Health and the General Medical Council advise doctors to refer patients to practitioners on the IFA PSA Accredited Register. IFA PSA practitioners are recognised for employment by the NHS and are referred to on their website.

*It is important to note, due to the increase in awareness of the dangers of self-governing bodies and insurance companies selling policies to those who have completed 1-2 days training; only aromatherapist who belong to a PSA regulated register may be able to work within the NHS in the future and those who don't may have difficulty finding work within the UK medical framework. The IFA is the only sole aromatherapy register to have achieved PSA accredited status for its registrants to secure our members more employment opportunities.

Furthermore, as the first governing body for aromatherapy, the IFA has a long-standing reputation in the field with employers, care homes and other healthcare providers. Our registrants’ currently practice in the NHS e.g. in oncology departments/ midwives/ ICU/ GP surgeries, the voluntary sector, for example, hospices, maternity wards/ special care units, residential care homes, autism support groups etc, as well as private practice in salons, spas, hotels, complementary therapy clinics and consultancy work.

We post jobs in the members facebook forum, newsletter and website as and when they are received. We provide our therapists with a sample CV template, CV cover letter, credential descriptions, plus sample GP introduction letter to inform your local practice of your services and introduce yourself to local authorities.

All Full, PEOT, Carer and Associate members receive the IFA professional sealed certificate, membership card and enamel badge (tailored to your category of membership) to display in your place of work and on your person. 

These are sent by post and display your unique ID number. 

To reduce the cost of overheads when meeting our requirement of 12 CPD (continual professional development) points per year, we provide our registrants with frequent free webinars with leading industry experts for example: Salvatore Battaglia, Susan Parker, E. Joy Bowles, Suzanne Catty, Madeleine Kerkhof, Beth Spindler, K.G. Stiles, Dr Peter Mackereth, Felicity Warner, Carol Rose to name but a few!

These feature a variety of topics to ensure our members stay-up-to-date with the latest research, developments and techniques.

Registered members can access all past webinars in the members area.

To reduce overheads of materials and supplies for our members we have secured discount from various household brand names on behalf of our members. 

For example, Oshadhi, Micheline Arcier, Tisserand Aromatherapy, Neals Yard Remedies, Base Formula, Towels R' Us, Couch Rolls, Beautelle and many more.

Download: IFA MEMBER DISCOUNTED SUPPLIERS LIST

The IFA regularly run competitions to win free days out, treatments, products and hampers, entry exclusive to registered members.

We provide registrants with guidance which address’s specific and specialist issues which complement and further develop the standards of competence and conduct prescribed in the codes e.g. contraindications in aromatherapy and massage, cancer, pregnancy, dosage, essential oils and drug interaction, aromatherapy with children, ingestion and neat application of essential oil guidance, perfumery notes, sexual boundaries, purchasing oils for therapeutic uses and more.

Members receive TWO quarterly journals free of charge: The Aromatherapy Times, the official journal of the IFA registered with the British Library and a free digital copy of Holistic Therapist Magazine, which contains a range of articles to develop practitioners business skills.

The Aromatherapy Times is the essential journal for both experienced and aspiring practitioners. Our journal prides itself on publishing high quality articles from industry experts, covering all aspects of aromatherapy and preventative healthcare.

As a therapy-specific professional body, the IFA understands all aspects of the therapy and its practice. We understand the challenges, education, research and development requirements of our members, which allows us to deliver a specialist journal based on a wealth of experience. This has resulted in a journal that meets the stringent requirements to be officially registered with the British Library. Whether you are a practicing aromatherapist, a student, postgraduate or are involved in the broader field of complementary therapies, you will find the journal an excellent source of information.

To assist our members when evidencing their work, we have created an easy to use drop down where you can find links to research papers filtered by essential oil, carrier oil, medical condition, ailment and/or by a natural progression in the body. We have aimed to source papers that are open access so you can read paper in full.

Charity Project involvement

Research Project Involevment

Budding authors may also apply to write articles on behalf of the IFA published in numerous journals and periodicals, participate in radio and television interviews and provide talks on various international platforms when opportunities arise. Registrants have in the past featured in Good House Keeping, Vogue and the Daily Mail on behalf of the IFA.

IFA registered members can download case study, reflective practice and research templates and guidelines so that registrants' submissions can be worthy of academic interest and to add to the IFA’s bank of evidence, which we put forward when approaching insurers and GP's for recognition. Members are invited to complete questionnaires and surveys to shape future policy and inform our work. Registered Full and PEOT members may also apply to serve on the board of directors. 

Aromatherapy Awareness Week hosted by the IFA
Every year the IFA hosts its registered national Aromatherapy Awareness Week in the second week of June. The week is scheduled with various activities bringing more press coverage to the profession, the work of the IFA and our registered members. This is published in local and national publications and our members are granted the opportunity to give 10% off treatments to the public during this week. All registered members are provided with template press releases, posters, leaflets, statistics and information to promote their practice during this week.

Access to networking events and support meetings. We currently have regional groups across the country and online for those in remote areas. Some of the groups offer evening group sessions, breakfast meetings, organise trips to distilleries and herb gardens etc. All members get free entry to the IFA's AGM which provide an opportunity to have your say in the next chapter of the IFA, interact with colleagues, network and build new friendships. Our AGM’s are fun and informal with a chance for professional debate - full of great company, lively discussion and great food.

IFA registered postgraduate members have access to a wide range of useful resources including 30 + free templates and downloads for personalised use to ensure your practice runs smoothly and remains compliant with all the latest business practices. For example, consent and consultations forms, prescription sheet, sample CV's, credential descriptors, schedules, contracts, letters e.g. approaching GP's, referral. Template policies – Complaints, Health & Safety, Privacy and Website Disclaimer, Data Protection etc. Other resources include HMRC starter up information business planning, forecasts, risk assessment templates and also expansion guidance, product making and marketing notes, advertising and legislation guidance and more. Registrants can download template press releases, follow up letters, feedback forms, social media and blog tips. Access links to free software and marketing tools to help you in your advertising campaigns.

IFA registered members who wish to open new premises to operate their business from enjoy exemption from paying the special treatment license fee in various boroughs of London and surrounding areas saving you hundreds of pounds.

Download: List of Exemption Fee Boroughs for IFA Registrants

It is a mandatory requirement for IFA registrants to hold public liability insurance whilst practising, which must be purchased separately to your membership and proof provided at registration and annual renewal. 

To assist our members, reduce overhead costs we have secured a discounted packaged with the Chartered insurance brokers the Alan Boswell Group, which we recommend you take advantage of. 

*We do appreciate it can be a little confusing that to hold IFA membership you need insurance but to get the discounted package you need to hold IFA membership – which is why we have arranged with Alan Boswell that they notify us when a person claiming the IFA discount takes out this package. Therefore, those who take up this package do not need to provide insurance proof as we receive it direct from Alan Boswell. 

Download: Alan Boswell Discounted Insurance Package

For any enquiries, please contact Tom Head or his team on 01603 649725

For full details of whats covered please visit: https://www.alanboswell.com/business/business-insurance/care-medical/complementary-therapy/aromatherapy/

Email: aromatherapists@alanboswell.com

IFA registration is recognised for reimbursement with Health Shield, UK Healthcare and Westfield Health Private Healthcare Cash Plans, which allows clients who hold the relevant plans to reclaim the cost of their treatment with an IFA registered aromatherapist. For more information:

Download: IFA REGISTRANT PRIVATE HEALTHCARE CASH PLANS TREATMENT REIMBURSMENT

IFA registered members can enter our annual awards which acknowledge the unsung heroes of the profession, selected from the membership, and are also provided opportunities to enter additional external awards afforded to IFA registrants. The IFA issue certificates of excellence when a postgraduate member has been registered continuously for 10, 20 25 and 30 years in acknowledgement of their dedication to the profession and continuation of high standards of practice.

All practitioners have blind spots in their work with clients from time to time, no matter how experienced they are. Particularly with inexperienced practitioners, sometimes there is a lack of specific knowledge of the best way to treat a client. In the members area you can find details of your local mentor who can provide telephone support or may organise face-to-face supervision meetings. Mentors provide an objective overall view, which offers a useful alternative perspective to the subjectivity of the practitioner towards their clients and provides a healthy balance between empathy and objectivity. In addition, we also provide a forum for our members to discuss issues affecting their work for mutual support and encouragement.

All IFA members receive our monthly newsletters by email, containing topics such as new developments in aromatherapy, CAM, NICE and NHS campaign updates, member success stories, charity project updates, hot topics and brain teasers.  

IFA registered members gain discount to various professional development events, seminars, workshops and first aid courses to keep them up-to-date with the latest techniques and advancements in the profession. All members are afforded discounted tickets to the IFA’s International Conferences which allow attendees to listen to motivating and inspiring talks from a world-renowned panel of experts to gain valuable knowledge and skills transferable to their own practice. Members also gain free entry to a variety of holistic exhibitions.

The IFA stand up for the interests of its member’s before decision-making bodies such the National Institute for Health Care Excellence (NICE), the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Integrated Healthcare (PGIH), the Charities Commission and also before international government bodies to strengthen the recognition of aromatherapy as a true complementary modality. We ensure that the information provided about our registrants and aromatherapy helps service users to make informed decisions about their care.