POLICY & PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
Integrity in education.
Accountability in credentialing.
Protection of the public.
The National Institute of Behavioral Medicine (NIBM) establishes professional development, private certification, credential-verification, and ethical standards designed to support responsible practice, professional growth, and public confidence.
NIBM programs are generally intended for continuing professional education and skill enhancement rather than initial occupational training for entry into a licensed profession.
An NIBM certification or micro-certification is a private professional or educational credential. It is not a governmental license, does not replace professional licensure, and does not independently authorize regulated professional practice.
NIBM CREDENTIALS
What an NIBM certification represents.
An NIBM credential recognizes successful completion of defined education, training, assessment, or competency requirements established or approved by the National Institute of Behavioral Medicine.
What an NIBM credential represents
An NIBM credential may recognize:
- continuing professional development;
- skill enhancement;
- trauma-informed practice;
- professional resilience;
- ethical and evidence-informed practice; and
- related workforce development goals.
What an NIBM credential does not represent
An NIBM credential does not:
- constitute a state, federal, or other governmental professional license;
- create or expand a participant’s legal scope of practice;
- authorize services for which the holder is not otherwise legally qualified or permitted;
- replace licensing, registration, supervision, employer, certification, or governmental requirements;
- guarantee employment, advancement, compensation, or licensure; and
- guarantee acceptance by an employer, licensing board, professional association, educational institution, insurer, governmental agency, or other organization.
Credential holders remain responsible for understanding and complying with the laws, regulations, employer requirements, professional standards, and scope-of-practice restrictions applicable to their work.
PROFESSIONAL & ETHICAL STANDARDS
Ethics that strengthen trust.
Professional responsibility begins with integrity, competence, and respect for the people we serve.
Honesty & Transparency
Represent qualifications, credentials, and professional affiliations accurately and without misleading claims.
Competence & Scope
Work within appropriate education, training, authorization, and professional boundaries.
Safety & Well-Being
Prioritize the dignity, safety, and lawful rights of clients, patients, students, and the public.
Boundaries & Respect
Maintain appropriate professional relationships and avoid exploitation, harassment, coercion, and retaliation.
Confidentiality & Privacy
Protect personal and confidential information through lawful and responsible practices.
Evidence & Communication
Communicate scientific and professional information accurately, including meaningful limitations and risks.
PUBLIC CREDENTIAL VERIFICATION
Confidence through transparency.
Public verification is an integral part of NIBM’s credential-integrity process. The directory helps employers, organizations, and members of the public independently verify whether an NIBM credential is authentic and current.
What May Be Publicly Verified
Approved credential holders acknowledge that limited credential information may appear in NIBM’s public verification directory.
- Full name
- Credential or certification title
- Original certification date
- Expiration or renewal date, when applicable
- Current credential status
Information Not Ordinarily Published
NIBM does not ordinarily publish nonessential sensitive information.
- Social Security or government identification numbers
- Home addresses, personal telephone numbers, and dates of birth
- Payment or banking information
- Medical or health information
- Application and examination records
- Complaint and investigation files
Applicant Acknowledgment
Applicants must acknowledge the public-verification requirement before an NIBM credential is issued. This acknowledgment should be presented clearly and separately from unrelated terms.
Credential Status
NIBM may display a credential as Active, Expired, Inactive, Suspended, Revoked, or Voluntarily Surrendered. Complaint allegations and detailed disciplinary evidence are not ordinarily displayed.
Corrections and Exceptions
Credential holders should promptly report material errors in their verification records. NIBM may correct inaccurate records and may consider alternative publication arrangements when required by law or justified by extraordinary, documented safety or privacy circumstances.
Public credential verification is ordinarily a condition of NIBM certification; a general opt-out is not ordinarily available.
COMPLAINTS & CREDENTIAL INTEGRITY
Accountability through a fair and transparent process.
NIBM may review concerns that affect the integrity, appropriate use, or continued recognition of its credentials. A complaint does not establish misconduct, and credential holders ordinarily receive notice and an opportunity to respond before substantial adverse action.
01 — Complaint Submission
NIBM may receive written complaints concerning credential holders. Complaints should identify the concern and provide relevant information or supporting documentation when available. Written complaints concerning NIBM credential holders may be submitted to admin@nibm.org. Include a description of the concern, relevant dates, and available supporting information.
02 — Preliminary Review
NIBM evaluates whether a concern falls within its credentialing authority, whether additional information is needed, and whether further review is warranted.
03 — Investigation & Response
Where appropriate, NIBM considers reasonably relevant information and provides the credential holder with an opportunity to respond to material allegations.
04 — Decision & Notification
NIBM may close a matter, provide guidance, require corrective action, or impose an appropriate credentialing measure based on the circumstances and available evidence.
Possible Credential Actions
NIBM may issue guidance or corrective notices, require remediation, impose conditions, suspend or revoke a credential, deny renewal, or take other appropriate actions under its policies. Temporary protective measures may be used where justified by a credible and substantial risk.
Appeals & Reinstatement
Credential holders may request reconsideration of a substantial adverse decision within 30 calendar days after NIBM sends written notice. Reinstatement is discretionary and may require satisfying additional conditions. Written requests for reconsideration must be submitted within 30 calendar days after NIBM sends written notice of the decision and may be emailed to admin@nibm.org.
Confidentiality
Complaint materials and investigative records ordinarily remain nonpublic, subject to applicable legal and administrative exceptions.
Anti-Retaliation
NIBM prohibits retaliation within its credentialing processes against individuals who raise good-faith concerns or participate appropriately in an investigation.
Record Integrity
NIBM may retain records for legitimate credentialing, compliance, dispute-resolution, fraud-prevention, and related organizational purposes, subject to applicable requirements.
GEOGRAPHIC & INTERNATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Professional development across borders. Responsibility within every jurisdiction.
NIBM programs and certifications may be available to individuals in different jurisdictions, subject to applicable laws and restrictions. Availability does not establish governmental approval, professional licensure, or universal recognition.
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Geographic Availability
NIBM programs and certifications are offered only where legally permitted. Availability of a website, course, or application does not mean every program is authorized, approved, or appropriate in every jurisdiction.
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International Applicants & Recognition
Applicants should verify whether an NIBM credential meets the requirements of their employer, licensing authority, professional association, educational institution, or jurisdiction. Recognition is not guaranteed.
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Eligibility & Restricted Transactions
Applicants must ordinarily be at least 18 years old for NIBM certification. Enrollment, payments, and credentialing activities may be restricted where necessary to comply with applicable sanctions, trade restrictions, or other legal requirements.
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Privacy & Data Protection
NIBM handles applicant and credential-holder information according to its Privacy Policy and applicable data-protection law. Additional privacy requirements and individual rights may apply depending on the circumstances and jurisdiction.
An NIBM certification is a private professional or educational credential. It does not replace governmental licensure or independently authorize regulated professional practice.
COMPLETE POLICY & CODE
Our standards. Your confidence.
Explore the complete NIBM Policy & Code of Professional and Ethical Conduct, including credentialing standards, professional responsibilities, public verification, complaints, appeals, and organizational policies.
Read the Complete Policy & Code
Access all 48 provisions of NIBM's comprehensive policy document.
Policy Information
Original Policy Effective: July 29, 2020
Revised Policy Effective: October 17, 2026
Last Reviewed: October 17, 2026
Questions About Our Policies?
For questions concerning NIBM policies, credential verification, professional standards, or credential-integrity matters, contact the National Institute of Behavioral Medicine.
admin@nibm.org • nibm.org