Sequential Credentials: Full Requirements Table
The following table provides the complete requirements for all seven sequential tiers. Each credential requires that the credential at the previous tier be active at the time of application.
| Tier | Credential | Training Req. | Practice Hours | References | Other Req. | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | IBC-HHA™ | Recognized holistic health program (100+ hrs min) | None required | None required | Training transcript/certificate | $95 |
| II | IBC-HHP™ | Active IBC-HHA™ | 200+ documented client/participant hours | 2 peer refs (official form) | Practice hour log in prescribed format | $199 |
| III | IBC-HHE™ | Active IBC-HHP™ | None additional | Recommended (edu. supervisor) | Teaching activity docs + curriculum contribution | $449 |
| IV | IBC-HHD™ | Active IBC-HHE™ + earned doctorate | None additional | Optional | Doctoral transcripts + field leadership evidence | $495 |
| V | IBC-DHH™ | Active IBC-HHD™ | N/A — exam-based | N/A | Pass comprehensive board examination | $795 |
| VI | IBC-HHF™ | Active IBC-DHH™ | N/A | N/A | Board nomination only — not applied for | $0 |
| VII | IBC-HHC™ | N/A | N/A | N/A | Reserved designation — board conferred | $0 |
Parallel Designations: Requirements
Parallel designations are specialization credentials that can be pursued alongside the sequential pathway. They require an active sequential credential (any tier) plus specialization-specific documentation.
| Designation | Full Name | Prerequisite | Specialization Requirement | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBC-HHS™ | Holistic Health Specialist | Any active sequential credential | Documented training in a recognized specialization modality (min. 50 hrs specialty training) | $195 |
| IBC-HHS-SV™ | Holistic Health Specialist — Senior Version | Active IBC-HHS™ in same modality | Advanced specialization training (min. 150 hrs total in specialty) + documented client work in specialty | $345 |
| IBC-HHX™ | Holistic Health Cross-Disciplinary | Any active sequential credential | Documented training in 2+ recognized modalities (min. 50 hrs each modality) | $295 |
| IBC-HHR™ | Holistic Health Researcher | Any active sequential credential | Published or documented scholarly/research contribution in holistic health; research methodology training recommended | $395 |
What Counts as Recognized Training
The ICONIC Board recognizes training from programs in the following modality categories:
- Herbal medicine and botanical healing (Western herbalism, traditional plant medicine)
- Nutrition and functional wellness (holistic nutrition, nutritional therapy, clinical nutrition)
- Energy and subtle body work (Reiki, therapeutic touch, biofield therapies)
- Aromatherapy and essential oil therapy
- Bodywork and manual therapies (massage therapy, reflexology, craniosacral — where scope is holistic health practice)
- Ayurvedic practice (non-medical Ayurveda, lifestyle and wellness consultation)
- Traditional Chinese medicine wellness practice (excluding licensed acupuncture unless also certified in holistic health practice)
- Homeopathy
- Integrative health coaching and wellness coaching
- Mind-body practices with therapeutic application (yoga therapy, meditation instruction, breathwork facilitation)
- Sound healing and vibrational therapies
If your training does not clearly fall into a listed category: Submit your program documentation for review. The board evaluates programs individually and may recognize training in related fields that meet the spirit of holistic health education. Include your program's curriculum, instructor qualifications, and total instructional hours.
What Does Not Count Toward Requirements
To avoid confusion, the following types of activity do not count toward the practice hour or training requirements:
- Personal wellness activities (personal yoga practice, personal meditation, personal use of supplements)
- Attendance at conferences, workshops, or seminars as a participant (these may count toward continuing education but not toward the initial training requirement)
- Administrative or business management time
- Continuing education courses taken after your training completion (these support renewal but are not counted in the initial application)
- Supervision hours (time spent being supervised counts toward practice hours; time spent receiving mentorship as a student does not)
- Social media or content creation about holistic health
Peer Reference Requirements
For the IBC-HHP™ (Tier II), two peer references are required. References must:
- Be completed on the official ICONIC Board Peer Reference Form (available in the application portal)
- Come from qualified holistic health practitioners — ideally ICONIC Board credential holders, but recognized professionals with verifiable standing in the field are accepted
- Speak specifically to the quality of your professional practice — not just your character or your training
- Be submitted directly by the reference (not forwarded by the applicant) through the reference submission portal
References from family members, personal friends without professional context, or individuals who have not observed your practice are not accepted.