Frequently Asked Questions

IVCA offers four tiers: Foundation (free, entry-level), Practitioner (annual fee, for qualified practitioners), Master (annual fee, for senior practitioners with advanced credentials), and Trainer (annual fee, for authorised trainers licensed to deliver IVCA-recognised programmes). Current fees are listed on the Membership page. Each tier carries a specific credential designation and set of professional obligations.

Yes. Foundation membership is free and designed for individuals beginning their journey with Vital Code, completing training, or who wish to engage with the IVCA community before pursuing a paid certification tier. Foundation members have access to the code of ethics, the public directory, and IVCA communications, but do not yet hold a practising credential.

Upgrading requires meeting the eligibility criteria for the higher tier — completing the necessary certified training, passing the relevant assessment, and being in good standing with IVCA. You can initiate an upgrade application through your member portal. Applications are assessed by the Certification Panel and you will be notified within 20 working days of a complete submission.

Your annual fee covers registration on the IVCA public directory, your credential designation and digital certificate, access to CPD tracking tools, the members-only resource library, participation in IVCA governance, and the costs of maintaining the certification and ethics infrastructure that gives your credential its credibility. IVCA does not distribute profits — all fees are reinvested into the association.

Membership renews annually on the anniversary of your registration. You will receive renewal reminders by email 60, 30, and 7 days before your renewal date. Payment is accepted by card or bank transfer via the member portal. If renewal is not completed within 30 days of the due date, your listing will be suspended and your credential marked as lapsed.

Certification at each tier requires completing a training programme from an IVCA-authorised trainer, submitting evidence of supervised practice hours, and passing a competence assessment. The assessment evaluates practical skill, theoretical knowledge, and professional judgement — not merely course attendance. Full details are in the Certification Standards.

The Practitioner credential is for qualified practitioners working directly with clients. The Master credential recognises advanced competence, requiring significant practice hours, additional supervised practice, and a higher-level assessment. The Trainer credential is for those licensed by IVCA to deliver Vital Code training and issue IVCA-recognised training completion certificates.

You must complete a Vital Code training programme delivered by an IVCA-authorised trainer. Training from non-authorised providers cannot be used to support an IVCA certification application. You can find a list of authorised trainers on the Authorised Trainers page.

All IVCA registrants must complete the annual 8-hour Vital Code CPD course as a mandatory minimum. This course is delivered by IVCA-authorised trainers and covers updates to practice standards, ethical obligations, and developments in the Vital Code evidence base. Completion is a condition of annual membership renewal at all tiers.

Additional acceptable CPD includes IVCA-endorsed events and webinars, formal supervision, additional accredited training, writing or presenting on Vital Code practice, and structured peer learning groups. IVCA publishes a full CPD activity guide in the member portal. You are responsible for recording your CPD and may be asked to evidence it during a renewal audit.

If you have not renewed within 30 days of your anniversary date, your directory listing is suspended and your credential is marked as lapsed. Lapsed registrants have a 90-day reinstatement window — after which you would need to reapply as a new applicant, including completing the full assessment process again.

No. CPD is assessed annually and hours cannot be carried forward. The mandatory 8-hour annual course must be completed within each membership year regardless of other CPD activity.

The directory includes all IVCA registrants who hold an active Practitioner, Master, or Trainer credential with current membership. Foundation members are not listed in the public practitioner directory as the Foundation tier does not confer a practising credential. Registrants whose membership has lapsed or been suspended are removed until their status is restored.

Use the IVCA Credential Verification tool. Enter the practitioner's name or credential number and the system will display their current registration status, tier, and renewal standing in real time. If a credential cannot be verified using this tool, it is not a current IVCA certification.

Yes. Practitioners can manage their directory profile through the member portal, including contact details, location, areas of practice, and a professional biography. Credential tier and renewal status are displayed automatically and cannot be edited — they reflect the live record held by IVCA.

An IVCA Authorised Trainer holds the IVCA-T credential and has been licensed by IVCA to deliver Vital Code training programmes that meet IVCA's independently benchmarked educational criteria. Only graduates of authorised trainer programmes are eligible to apply for IVCA certification. Authorised trainers may also request IVCA-issued training completion certificates for their programme graduates.

An IVCA training completion certificate confirms that an individual has successfully completed a Vital Code training programme delivered by an IVCA Authorised Trainer. It is a training record — not the same as an IVCA practitioner credential. Holders may then apply for IVCA certification through the standard assessment process.

You must first hold an active IVCA Master credential in good standing. You then submit a Trainer application including your training programme curriculum, assessment methodology, teaching experience, and supporting evidence. Full details are on the Authorised Trainers page.