Aromatherapist Accreditation Aromatherapy Qualification Standards

Membership Criteria

The International Federation of Aromatherapists (IFA) is the voluntary regulator for aromatherapy operating worldwide. The IFA offer various categories of membership dependent on accredited prior learning with a range of benefits. To find which category of membership is suitable for you please browse the following options:

Full Membership

Any individual who has successfully completed training in aromatherapy on a course accredited by the IFA, or training consistent with IFA standards will be eligible for full membership.
£80.00 per annum (first time upgrade from student £120.00)

Criteria
The evidence you will be required to submit is as follows:

IFA Aromatherapy Diploma Certificate
All those who qualify from an IFA course are issued with a diploma from the IFA displaying the IFA quality mark.
If you are unsure whether the school you have trained with was accredited by the IFA at the time you took the course please contact us.

Supply a copy of Qualification/Certificate(s) that are consistent with the IFA Aromatherapy Diploma course components.
If your qualification is not listed here please download and complete a copy of the Accredited Prior Learning (APL) mapping questionnaire, which identifies what you are required to have learnt and been externally assessed in - in order to qualify for full membership.

You will also be required to declare that:

You do not have a conviction or conditional caution that is unspent or have declared these to the IFA to be considered before acceptance.
You have not been subject to any disciplinary or civil proceedings brought against you in relation to your practice or have declared these to the IFA to be considered before acceptance.
You do not have any health issues that may impact your ability to practice.
You hold professional indemnity insurance to practice in the UK or any other such policy consistent with the rules of your country of residence. You must also declare any successful claims made against your insurance to the IFA to be considered before acceptance.
You hold a valid first aid certificate if you are a sole trader. A first aid appointed person (one day course) is the minimum requirement, for a list of provider’s and exemption policy click here.
You will provide evidence, upon request, of having gained 12 CPD points within the year.

Please note if it is identified that a false declaration has been made the individual will be removed from the membership.

You will be required to comply with the following throughout the duration of your membership with the IFA:

Professional Essential Oil Therapist Membership

Any individual who has successfully completed training in Professional Essential Oils Therapy (aromatherapy qualifications without massage) on a course accredited by the IFA will be eligible for PEOT membership.
£80.00 per annum (first time upgrade from student £120.00)

The evidence you will be required to submit is as follows:

IFA PEOT Diploma Certificate
All those who qualify from an IFA course are issued with a diploma from the IFA displaying the IFA quality mark.

As this is a relatively new qualification the IFA have introduced, there is not currently an equivalent qualification in the market to compare it to. If you would like to upgrade your qualifications to meet the PEOT membership criterion please contact a training provider and supply evidence of accredited prior learning to qualify for exemption from components of the course.

You will also be required to declare that:

You do not have a conviction or conditional caution that is unspent or have declared these to the IFA to be considered before acceptance.
You have not been subject to any disciplinary or civil proceedings brought against you in relation to your practice or have declared these to the IFA to be considered before acceptance.
You do not have any health issues that may impact your ability to practice.
You hold professional indemnity insurance to practice in the UK or any other such policy consistent with the rules of your country of residence. You must also declare any successful claims made against your insurance to the IFA to be considered before acceptance.
You will provide evidence, upon request, of having gained 12 CPD points within the year.

Please note if it is identified that a false declaration has been made the individual will be removed from the membership.

You will be required to comply with the following throughout the duration of your membership with the IFA:

Associate Membership

Any individual who has successfully completed training in aromatherapy to a Level 3 or above on a course that meets the National Occupational Standards (NOS) and Core Curriculum requirements i.e. BABTAC, ITEC, VTCT etc.
£70.00 per annum

The evidence you will be required to submit is as follows:

Aromatherapy Diploma Certificate
Provide evidence of qualification(s) which meets as a minimum, the National Occupational Standards and Aromatherapy Core Curriculum requirements. For a list of qualifications we accept click here.

or

Provide evidence of having achieved competency equivalent to the National Occupational Standards and Aromatherapy Core Curriculum requirements.

*Please note, courses delivered entirely by distance learning do not meet IFA requirements.

You will also be required to declare that:

You do not have a conviction or conditional caution that is unspent or have declared these to the IFA to be considered before acceptance.
You have not been subject to any disciplinary or civil proceedings brought against you in relation to your practice or have declared these to the IFA to be considered before acceptance.
You do not have any health issues that may impact your ability to practice.
You hold professional indemnity insurance to practice in the UK or any other such policy consistent with the rules of your country of residence. You must also declare any successful claims made against your insurance to the IFA to be considered before acceptance.
You hold a valid first aid certificate if you are a sole trader. A first aid appointed person (one day course) is the minimum requirement, for a list of provider’s and exemption policy click here.
You will provide evidence, upon request, of having gained 12 CPD points within the year.

Please note if it is identified that a false declaration has been made the individual will be removed from the membership.

You will be required to comply with the following throughout the duration of your membership with the IFA:

Carer Membership

Any individual who has successfully completed training in Aromacare on a course accredited by the IFA will be eligible for carer membership.
£35.00 per annum

The evidence you will be required to submit is as follows:

Aromacare Carer Certificate
All those who qualify from the IFA Aromacare course are issued with a certificate from the IFA displaying the IFA quality mark. All postgraduates of this course are held on a register.

You will also be required to declare that:

You do not have a conviction or conditional caution that is unspent or have declared these to the IFA to be considered before acceptance.
You have not been subject to any disciplinary or civil proceedings brought against you in relation to your practice or have declared these to the IFA to be considered before acceptance.
You do not have any health issues that may impact your ability to practice.

Please note if it is identified that a false declaration has been made the individual will be removed from the membership.

You will be required to comply with the following throughout the duration of your membership with the IFA:

Student Membership

Any individual who is undertaking a course with an IFA approved centre is required to register as a student member. Students normally complete their training within 2 years.
£35.00 for 24 months for Diploma Course Students or £25.00 for 12 months for Aromacare Course Students

Individuals enrolled on an IFA approved course must register for student membership through their Centre.

Some Centres' may include the student membership fee in their tuition fee but students must check this with their Centre first. This option remains at the sole discretion of the individual Centre.

Centres' will submit a list of all students enrolled on their course to the IFA.

Please note we do not accept individual applications.

Students are expected to complete their training and undertake the IFA examinations within 2 years. The student membership fee covers the student for 24 months for diploma course students and 12 months for Aromacare course students. Any extension to this period will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The IFA support learners in a variety of ways click here for more details.

On successful completion of the course, you will automatically be eligible to apply for postgraduate membership in the course you have undertaken.

You will be required to comply with the following throughout the duration of your membership with the IFA:

Friend Membership

Any individual who has an interest in aromatherapy and wishes to receive the Aromatherapy Times Magazine, gain access to research and exclusive discounts. No prerequisite required.
£40.00 per annum

This category of membership applies to all those who have an interest in aromatherapy and do not fall under any other category of membership. For example, therapists who are taking a career break, retired members or multi-discipline practitioners who in that sense wish to 'befriend' the IFA to join our community of therapists.

It appeals to those who wish to receive the Aromatherapy Times Magazine, industry news, updates on developments in the aromatherapy industry and work of the IFA, gain access to research and enjoy discounts off a variety of events, products and services.

Please note friend members are not permitted to use any of the IFA's logos. Friend membership means the individual is unqualified - allusion to membership of the IFA in general (implying the individual is qualified/practicing) is not permitted.

You will be required to comply with the following throughout the duration of your membership with the IFA:

To apply to be a friend member click here.

Once you know which category of membership you are eligible for you can apply on line.