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Fees & Timelines

Transparent, Predictable, and fair.

The Accreditation Commission for Integrative Sciences (ACIS) maintains a transparent fee and review structure to ensure fairness, accessibility, and accountability for all applicants.

All fees are published in U.S. dollars (USD) and are non-refundable once submitted due to administrative processing and review allocation.

Fees may be updated periodically to reflect changes in administrative or operational costs. Applicants will be notified of any updates prior to submission.

IBTHM Board Certification Fees & Timelines (2025 Edition)

​The International Board of Trichology & Holistic Medicine (IBTHM), a division of the Accreditation Commission for Integrative Sciences (ACIS), offers voluntary Board Certification to qualified practitioners in Trichology and Integrative Health Sciences.

 

Certification through IBTHM demonstrates verified education, experience, and professional ethics in accordance with ACIS Standards.

 

Board Certification Fee Schedule

All fees are one-time, non-refundable payments covering the full review and certification process.
Fees include:

  • Application processing

  • Credential or portfolio review

  • Certificate and official digital seal

  • Public registry listing

  • Continuing education tracking portal access

 

                      Credential                                      Total Certification Fee (USD)                    Annual Renewal Fee

    Practitioner Level Certification (BCT or BCHHP))                                $295                                                                                 $199/year

     Master Trichologist (MCT or BMHHP)                                                        $395                                                                                 $199/year

     Doctor of Trichology Science (DTS or BDHHP)                                     $595                                                                                 $199/year

 

Doctoral-Level Applicants

Doctoral Level Applicants must meet the following minimum standards:

  1. Educational Attainment:

    • Hold a Doctorate degree in Trichology Science, Holistic Health, Integrative Medicine, Functional Medicine, Natural Health, or a related discipline from an ACIS-accredited institution or a recognized equivalent.

    • Equivalent doctoral-level experience may be considered (e.g., significant research, published work, or advanced clinical contributions).

  2. Portfolio Submission:
    Applicants must provide a professional portfolio that includes:

    • Copy of degree or transcript

    • Curriculum vitae or résumé

    • Dissertation title and abstract (or comparable scholarly work)

    • Documentation of professional practice or teaching experience

    • One professional reference or letter of recommendation

  3. Ethical and Professional Standing:

    • Must be in good financial and ethical standing with their certifying institution or professional board.

    • Must uphold the IBTHM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

  4. Continuing Education Commitment:

    • Agreement to complete continuing education (CE) credits annually (recommended minimum: 10 CE hours through ACIS-approved providers).

  5. Review & Approval:

    • All documentation is reviewed by the IBTHM Doctoral Review Committee.

    • Applicants meeting criteria are awarded the Doctor of Trichology Science (DTS) or Board-Certified Doctor of Holistic Health Practitioner (BDHHP) designation.

    • Doctoral recipients may be invited to participate as peer reviewers, mentors, or board examiners for future candidates.

 

Renewal & Continuing Education (CE) Requirements

All certificants must renew annually to maintain active status and use of credentials.

 

Requirement                                                                                       Details

Renewal Due Date                                           Annually, by the certification anniversary date.

Grace Period                                                      60 days after expiration.

Reinstatement Fee (if late)                           $100

Continuing Education Requirement        Minimum of 10 CE hours per year relevant to trichology, herbal                                                                                             medicine, ethics, or integrative health.

Renewal Submission Includes                   Renewal fee payment, CE log or certificates, and annual ethics                                                                                             attestation.

Certificants not in good standing (failure to renew or submit CE) will be listed as inactive in the ACIS/IBTHM Directory until reinstatement.

 

Processing Timelines

 

Certification Stage                                                                                          Estimated Timeframe

Application Submission & Payment                                                                    Immediate

Eligibility & Credential Review                                                                       7–10 business days

Portfolio or Experience Evaluation                                                           10–15 business days

(DTS only) Exam Scheduling & Completion                                  Within 2–3 weeks of approval

Final Determination & Certificate Issuance              Within 3–5 business days after final approval

 

Average Total Turnaround:
•  3–5 weeks for Practitioners

 

Important Notes

  • All fees are non-refundable once an application is submitted.

  • Board Certification is voluntary and does not constitute a license to practice.

  • Applicants must meet all published eligibility criteria and submit accurate documentation.

  • Certificants must remain compliant with the ACIS Code of Ethics and Continuing Education standards to retain active status.

  • Fees and requirements are subject to change with notice to all members.

ACHTHS Institutional Accreditation Fees & Timelines (2025 Edition)

​The Accrediting Council for Holistic Trichology & Herbal Sciences (ACHTHS) provides institutional accreditation to schools, academies, and training centers offering programs in Trichology, Herbal Medicine, and Integrative Health Sciences.

 

Accreditation demonstrates that an institution meets the rigorous ACIS Standards of Accreditation, ensuring ethical, high-quality, and evidence-based education.

 

Accreditation Tiers

 

Institution Type                                                                                           Definition

Online-Only Institution                                              Delivers all courses virtually using a secure learning platform.

Hybrid Institution                                                        Offers both online and in-person or clinical instruction.

Physical Campus                                                       Provides fully on-site classroom, lab, or clinic instruction.

 

Applicants will select their institution type directly on the application form.
The appropriate site-visit fee will be automatically calculated at checkout.

 

Initial Accreditation Fee Schedule

 

Accreditation Type                                        One-Time Initial Accreditation Fee (USD)

       Online-Only                                                                                     $1,200 

          Hybrid                                                                                             $1,950

Physical Campus                                                                                $2,450 

 

✅ All fees are non-refundable and must be paid at the time of application submission.

 

Annual Maintenance & Renewal

 

Fee Type                                                                              Amount (USD)                                       Due Date

Annual Accreditation Maintenance Fee                       $350                                                  Annually

Renewal                                                                                      $650                                             (Every 3 Years) 

 

Processing Timeline

 

                   Step                                                                                                               Estimated Timeframe

Application Submission & Payment                                                                               Immediate

Preliminary Review (eligibility & completeness)                                                 7–10 business days

Comprehensive Evaluation                                                                                                4–6 weeks

Site Visit (if required)                                                                      Scheduled within 2–4 weeks after document approval

Accreditation Decision                                                                                     Within 30 days after final review

 

Average Total Turnaround: 8–10 weeks for most institutions
(dependent on completeness of submission and scheduling availability)

 

Simplified Workflow

  1. Complete the Online Application

    • Upload required documents (mission statement, catalog, curriculum, faculty list, refund policy, etc.).

    • Select institution type: Online-Only, Hybrid, or Physical Campus.

  2. Submit Payment

    • System automatically adds the correct site-visit fee (if applicable).

  3. ACHTHS Review Begins

    • Assigned peer reviewers evaluate documentation and facilities.

    • Additional details may be requested during review.

  4. Accreditation Decision Issued

    • Approved institutions receive an official ACHTHS Accreditation Certificate and digital accreditation seal for marketing and compliance use.

 

Key Notes

  • Accreditation is voluntary and non-governmental.

  • All fees are non-refundable once review begins.

  • Institutions are responsible for maintaining compliance with ACIS Standards of Accreditation and Code of Ethics.

  • Annual reports and CE compliance documentation are required to remain in good standing.

Timelines

Practitioners (All Levels)

  • Application Review: Processed within 3 weeks of receiving a completed application and payment.

  • Exam Scheduling: Exams are typically assigned within 5 business days of eligibility approval. Candidates are given a 10–14 day exam window.

  • Certificates Issued: Approved applicants receive their digital certificate and directory listing immediately upon approval.

Institutions

  • Eligibility & Self-Study Review: Typically completed within 6–8 weeks of submission.

  • Mandatory Site Visit for Hybrid/Physical Delivery. May extend timeline by 2–4 weeks.

  • Accreditation Decisions: Issued after peer review with recommendations for improvement, if applicable.

Refund Policy 

All fees (application, exam, retake, review, and maintenance) are non-refundable. Fees cover administrative costs, examiner time, and credentialing services whether or not the applicant achieves certification or accreditation.

Annual Renewal Requirements

Practitioners (All Levels)

  • Maintain 10 continuing education (CE) hours per year.

  • Pay the $199 renewal fee.

  • Re-attest to the ACIS/IBTHM Code of Ethics.

Institutions

  • Submit an annual report with updated program data.

  • Pay the $750 maintenance fee.

  • Demonstrate continued compliance with ACIS standards.

FAQ

Q: Is this a license?
A: No. Board certification is a professional credential, not a state license. Always comply with local laws.

 

Q: How long is processing?
A: Up to 3 weeks once your file is complete and paid.

 

Q: Are fees refundable?
A: No. All application and exam fees are non-refundable.

 

Q: How often do I renew?
A: Annually, with 10 CE hours + renewal fee.

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