The Review Process

1
Practitioner Inquiry
A practitioner submits an inquiry about an unlisted modality, either via the application form or a direct inquiry to the credentialing team. This is the primary trigger for new modality evaluation.
2
Domain Mapping
The credentialing team evaluates whether the modality falls within an existing practice domain or represents a genuinely new domain. Most modalities map into existing domains; genuinely new domains require a more extensive review.
3
Competency Framework Development
For formally recognized modalities, the team develops or adapts the competency framework: what training, experience, and practice standards are expected for each credential tier.
4
Advisory Review
Experienced practitioners in the modality are consulted to validate the framework. This advisory review ensures the competency standards reflect real professional practice, not just administrative standards.
5
Formal Addition
The modality is added to the framework and becomes available for new applications. Existing practitioners who applied under a parent domain during the review period may request a retroactive modality designation.

What Accelerates the Process

The most important factor in how quickly a modality moves through review is the volume of practitioner inquiries. When multiple practitioners independently inquire about the same modality, it signals real market demand and moves the review to a higher priority.

A detailed, well-documented inquiry also accelerates review. Including information about existing training organizations, professional associations, and established competency standards in the field gives the review team a head start on framework development.

The framework is designed to be inclusive. ICONIC Board's goal is for every legitimate holistic health modality to have a credentialing pathway — not to gatekeep. If your inquiry is declined, you receive a detailed explanation and the option to appeal with additional documentation.

Proactive Additions

Beyond practitioner inquiries, ICONIC Board's advisory council also proactively monitors the holistic health field for emerging and traditional practices that deserve formal recognition. Modalities with growing practitioner communities, published training curricula, or increasing institutional recognition are regularly evaluated even without a specific inquiry.