Accreditation Commission for Integrative Sciences (ACIS)

Including the International Board of Trichology & Holistic Medicine (IBTHM) and the Accrediting Council for Holistic Trichology & Herbal Sciences (ACHTHS)

1. Independent and Voluntary Recognition

The Accreditation Commission for Integrative Sciences (ACIS), together with its divisions—the International Board of Trichology & Holistic Medicine (IBTHM) and the Accrediting Council for Holistic Trichology & Herbal Sciences (ACHTHS)—is an independent, non-governmental organization offering voluntary accreditation and board certification to qualified institutions and practitioners.

Recognition by ACIS, IBTHM, or ACHTHS is not a license, permit, or legal authorization to practice and carries no governmental or regulatory authority. Certification and accreditation are privately conferred credentials intended to validate educational or professional standards, not legal qualifications.

 

2. No Endorsement or Affiliation

ACIS, IBTHM, and ACHTHS operate independently and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or regulated by any state board of cosmetology, medicine, education, or government agency.

Neither ACIS nor its divisions endorse, recommend, or guarantee any specific training provider, institution, or pre-certifying organization. Institutions or practitioners may be accredited or certified based on review, but such recognition does not imply partnership or exclusivity.

 

3. Limitation of Liability

ACIS, IBTHM, ACHTHS, their directors, officers, volunteers, employees, contractors, and peer reviewers shall not be held liable for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages arising from:

• Use or misuse of information provided on this website or in ACIS materials.

• Actions or conduct of any certified practitioner, accredited institution, or CE provider.

• Reliance upon certification, accreditation, or public directory listings for professional or personal decision-making.

Recognition conferred by ACIS represents evaluation against published standards at the time of review; it does not guarantee future compliance or continuous performance quality.

 

4. Board Certification (IBTHM)

Board Certification through IBTHM is voluntary and non-governmental.
Applicants attest that they have met all eligibility requirements based on verified documentation of education, training, experience, and demonstrated competence through written and/or practical evaluation.

• Certification signifies that the applicant met the IBTHM criteria at the time of evaluation.

• It does not guarantee continued professional competence or performance.

• IBTHM does not assume liability for the ongoing actions, business practices, or professional outcomes of any certified individual.

• Certification does not substitute for or imply state licensure, regulation, or governmental approval.

• Practitioners are individually responsible for complying with all applicable local, state/provincial, federal, and international laws governing their scope of practice.

The IBTHM is a credentialing board, not an educational institution. Certificates of completion or board certifications issued by IBTHM do not confer academic degrees or governmental authority.

 

5. Institutional Accreditation (ACHTHS)

Institutional Accreditation through ACHTHS is voluntary and non-governmental.
Accredited institutions are independent legal entities responsible for their own operations, policies, curriculum, and outcomes.

ACIS and ACHTHS:

• Do not manage or supervise daily institutional operations.

• Are not responsible for the academic performance, financial practices, faculty actions, or employment outcomes of accredited institutions.

• Do not guarantee that credits, certificates, or degrees will be transferable to other institutions or accepted by employers, regulatory agencies, or licensing boards.

• Encourage all prospective students to research institutions independently before enrollment.

Accreditation confirms that an institution met ACIS standards at the time of evaluation. It does not guarantee perpetual compliance, student success, or job placement.

 

6. Continuing Education Oversight

ACIS maintains oversight of Continuing Education (CE) providers and programs to ensure adherence to educational quality and ethical standards.
CE approval does not imply endorsement of a provider’s business practices, teaching philosophy, or product sales.
ACIS and its divisions assume no liability for CE content, delivery, or participant outcomes.

 

7. Information Accuracy & Reliance

While ACIS strives to maintain current and accurate information, no warranty or guarantee—express or implied—is made regarding the completeness, accuracy, or sufficiency of any data, publications, or digital content.
ACIS, IBTHM, and ACHTHS assume no responsibility for how information from this website or related materials is used, interpreted, or applied.

 

8. Applicant Responsibility

Applicants for certification or accreditation must attest that all submitted information and documentation are true, accurate, and lawful.
ACIS reserves the right to revoke credentials or accreditation if any falsification, omission, or misrepresentation is discovered.

 

9. Public Representation and Legal Compliance

All certificants, educators, and accredited institutions must:

• Represent their status truthfully and avoid implying governmental endorsement.

• Adhere to the ACIS Code of Ethics, Terms of Accreditation, and all applicable laws.

• Display credentials accurately (e.g., Name, BCT (IBTHM) or Institution Name – ACHTHS Accredited).

• Remove all ACIS/IBTHM/ACHTHS seals and designations immediately upon suspension, expiration, or revocation.

 

10. No Guarantee of Outcomes

Accreditation or certification by ACIS, IBTHM, or ACHTHS does not:

• Guarantee employment, income, or client outcomes.

• Ensure acceptance of credentials by other institutions or agencies.

• Confer or imply any level of governmental recognition or academic degree.

These recognitions are professional credentials of merit—not legal licenses or educational titles.

 

11. Amendments

ACIS reserves the right to amend this disclaimer and all governing policies at any time.
Updated versions will be published on the official website and supersede prior editions.
All applicants, members, and institutions are responsible for reviewing updates regularly.

 

Effective Date: January 1, 2025
Approved By: ACIS Legal & Compliance Division
Applies To: ACIS, IBTHM, and ACHTHS