Course Registration
The ICNM only registers practical courses that result in a trained and qualified therapist and/or practitioner who is eligible to join the British Register of Complementary Practitioners (BRCP). Purely theoretical courses cannot be registered with the ICNM in this way. However, theoretical courses may be approved by the ICNM as a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Course and offered to its members.
There are a number of things that the ICNM will look for in your course and downloadable forms below will assist you through the requirements for course registration, of which there are three levels;
1 - Associated
2 - Affiliated
3- Accredited
All courses registering with the ICNM initially become an Associated Course. Once accepted, an associated course has up to one year (two are allowed at the discretion of the ICNM) to become Affiliated (where the course can remain thereafter) or, if the standard merits it, then the course can be fully Accredited.
Note: Certain courses will be accepted by the ICNM for registration at Affiliation and Accreditation level immediately after application. These include UK University foundation degrees (level 5), which can be accepted at Affiliation level, and first degrees (and possibly some other post graduate courses at level 6), which can be accepted at Accreditation level.
Why Associated as a first step?
The ICNM is a professional body of some standing and has 'best practice' at its heart. Any courses that are registered with the ICNM must be of a certain level of excellence, because they will be given the full backing of the ICNM and promoted as having an educational and training standard, which is exemplary. For the ICNM to guarantee such is the case, it must be satisfied that this is so.
Associated courses will be expected to have certain basic criteria in place, as are set out in these notes. However, the ICNM will work with any course provider(s) to add or change areas of their programmes, in order to improve their quality to become affiliated or fully Accredited.
There are strict regulations applied to Associated courses (set out in our Terms and Conditions), as some course providers will be working towards certain criteria (not having achieved them as yet.) Registering such courses with the ICNM will give these schools, colleges or organisations an opportunity to develop their course(s) to a very high standard and level.
Once the course has been accepted, the ICNM will undertake all of the administration for registration and the course will be placed on the ICNM electronic system. At this point, course providers will be informed as to the level of registration. Associated courses will then receive the information pack for Affiliation and Accreditation, which sets out the course requirements and criteria for moving to these levels of registration.
Important Note: Whilst students do not qualify for BRCP membership from Associated courses, if the school, college or organisation elects to have a registered ICNM examiner present to moderate the examination procedures, and the required standards are met by the students, they may be/can be accepted onto the BRCP as a therapist or practitioner.
The basic standards for course registration
Associated courses are required to be working at a minimum of level 3. It is expected, by the ICNM, that courses at this level (3) will be working towards level 4/5. The number of hours at association level should be a minimum of 100 hours, over the whole programme (theory and practice).
Affiliated courses are required to be working at a minimum of NVQ-4 or foundation degree
Accredited courses are required to be working at a minimum of level 6 -first degree level.
Annual Report - requirement for all courses
Please note that all courses are expected to send an Annual Report of their course together with their annual membership fee. This annual Membership fee is £100 per course up to a maximum of £300 per Organisation.
Further details are available on 0207 922 7980 or by Email>.
Guidance Notes on Course Registration
CPD Application Form