There seems to be a lot of confusion about how one becomes certified in a natural health modality. The following information should help potential students when choosing a natural health course or school.

Schools or individuals can teach a course and offer a Certificate of Completion but they cannot “Certify” a person as being proficient in that particular modality. Certification must come from a 3rd party certifying board, not a school or individual.

To clarify the distinction between certificate and certification a comparison chart has been provided below.**

Certificate Certification
  • Results from an educational process.
  • Results from an assessment process.
  • For both newcomers and experienced professionals alike.
  • Typically requires some amount of professional experience.
  • Awarded by educational program providers or institutions.
  • Awarded by a third party, standard-setting organization.
  • Indicates completion of a course or series of courses with specific focus; is different than a degree granting program.
  • Indicates mastery/competency as measured against a defensible set of standards, usually by application or exam.
  • Course content set a variety of ways (faculty committee, dean, instructor); occasionally through defensible analysis of topic area.
  • Standards set through a defensible, industry-wide process (job analysis/role delineation) that results in an outline of required knowledge and skills.
  • Usually listed on a resume detailing education; may issue a document to hang on the wall.
  • Typically results in a designation to use after one’s name (CCI, CCII); may result in a document to hang or to keep in a wallet.
  • Is the end result; demonstrates knowledge of course content at the end of a set period in time.
  • Has ongoing requirements in order to maintain; holder must demonstrate he/she continues to meet requirements. For example, CCIs and other allied health professionals are required to complete annual CEUs to keep their certifications.
  • May provide the basis and gateway for achieving a degree.
  • No relationship with attaining higher education or degree.

The terms certification and  designation are also often confused or used incorrectly.

  • Certification is a process that results in credentials, e.g. CCI.
  • A designation simply refers to the letters someone uses after their name (PNP, MH, MI, ).

The Southern Institute of Natural Health is a school, we issue certificates and provide information on how you can pursue “Certification” from the appropriate certifying board.

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Certificate VS Certification

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