Overview: The IBC-HHC™ Credential
The IBC-HHC™ — ICONIC Board Candidate in Holistic Health — is the entry point into the ICONIC Board's seven-tier credentialing pathway. Unlike a full credential, the IBC-HHC™ is a registered candidacy status: a formal designation that places you in the ICONIC Board's official practitioner-in-training program while you complete your foundational training.
The IBC-HHC™ was created to solve a real problem: practitioners who are in training have no formal way to signal their commitment and progress to clients, employers, or referral partners. The Candidate designation changes that. From the moment you register, you are verifiable in the ICONIC Board directory as an actively credentialing practitioner.
Not a certification — a pipeline stage. The IBC-HHC™ is the Candidate tier, not a standalone credential. It is designed to be a stepping stone to the IBC-HHA™ (Tier I), which is the first full board credential.
Who Is the IBC-HHC™ For?
The IBC-HHC™ is designed for three groups:
- Students in active training — who want to establish professional standing before they finish their program
- Recent graduates — who are building their practice hours toward the IBC-HHA™ requirements
- Career transitioners — who are entering holistic health from another field and want formal recognition of their commitment
There are no minimum hour requirements to register as a Candidate — only an active commitment to completing your training and pursuing the IBC-HHA™.
What Does the IBC-HHC™ Include?
- Registration in the ICONIC Board's official candidate pipeline
- Listing in the ICONIC Board practitioner directory with Candidate status
- Access to the ICONIC Board's candidate support resources
- An official candidacy verification link you can share with clients and employers
- Automatic conversion to an IBC-HHA™ application when training minimums are met
Cost and Renewal
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Registration (One-Time) | $95 | Paid at time of candidacy registration |
| Annual Renewal | $75/year | While candidacy is active; waived once IBC-HHA™ is earned |
The Path Forward: IBC-HHC™ to IBC-HHA™
The IBC-HHC™ candidacy automatically converts to an IBC-HHA™ application once you meet the foundational training minimums — specifically, 60+ hours of holistic health education from a recognized provider. No new application is required. The ICONIC Board will notify you when you are eligible to advance and initiate the conversion process.
This seamless pipeline design means there is no administrative gap between your training phase and your first board credential.
"The IBC-HHC™ exists because we believe credentialing should begin the moment you commit to the profession — not after you've already spent years proving yourself in private."
How the IBC-HHC™ Fits the 7-Tier Pathway
The ICONIC Board's full credentialing architecture runs from Candidate through Fellow. The IBC-HHC™ is the Candidate (C) tier — the pre-credential stage that precedes the seven active tiers:
| Stage | Designation | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | IBC-HHC™ | Pre-credential pipeline registration |
| Tier I | IBC-HHA™ | Associate — entry point credential (60+ training hours) |
| Tier II | IBC-HHP™ | Practitioner — 200+ practice hours, peer references |
| Tier III | IBC-HHE™ | Educator — documented teaching & curriculum work |
| Tier IV | IBC-HHD™ | Doctorate — doctoral-level qualification |
| Tier V | IBC-DHH™ | Diplomate — board examination required |
| Tier VI | IBC-HHF™ | Fellow — board nomination only |