FAQ:

Who is eligible to enroll at SAFM?

Students in SAFM’s programs are active medical and wellness professionals who intend to develop capability in using applied functional medicine in their clinical practice. Questions included in the enrollment process ensure that all compatibility and eligibility requirements are met:

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• An active license or certification in a medical or wellness healthcare modality.
  • If you are a licensed practitioner, then you must submit a copy of your active license (or similar documentation as required in your country of practice). If you are a practitioner in a non-licensed modality, then you must submit your completed modality certification.
• Relevant “active professional practice” experience working with patients or clients.* Our students are currently engaged in healthcare roles in many different types of practices and business models, so it does not need to be in a private practice or have a functional medicine focus. Note: Professional experience does not include any pro bono work or working with family members.
• An active, ongoing patient or client base with whom to apply your new learning from the program (or, if on a leave of absence, a clear plan for returning to clinical practice).
• Solid working knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry or willingess to pursue extracurricular foundational learning in these areas, as needed, to address knowledge gaps.
• Sufficient exposure to SAFM’s content (many resources are publicly available) to determine that our approach to functional medicine and teaching style will be a fit for your professional goals.
• A willingness to devote ongoing study to coursework (depending upon the pace you choose).

*Relevant “active professional practice” experience:

• May be either paid or unpaid.
• Must involve active, care- or consult-related interaction (not simply observation, shadowing, or administration).
• Serves to inform your decision to pursue functional medicine as a complement to or redirection of your healthcare career. 

Acceptable experiences may include but are not limited to full or part-time employment or private practice in your area of licensure or certification, clinical residency or rotation, or other supervised practicum.