Transparent by design
Every criterion is public, measurable and auditable. No closed-door assessment — each track publishes its standards, its self-assessment instrument, and what counts as evidence.
What AIMS certifies
Schools & Institutes
Curriculum, faculty, supervised practice and governance.
Clinics
Ethics, safety, supervision and data protection in clinical settings.
Practitioners
Training, legal authorization and ethics of individual professionals.
Curricula & Programs
Scientific merit of individual programs and courses.
Schools & Training Institutes
Assessment domains and the evidence required — published in full.
| Domain | What is assessed | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum & scientific merit | Evidence base, theory + technique + supervision, course hours | Syllabus, bibliography, curriculum matrix |
| Faculty | Credentials, licenses, and clinical experience of instructors | CVs, verifiable licenses, sameAs |
| Teaching methodology | Instructional design, learning assessment, clinical supervision | Pedagogical plan, assessment instruments |
| Ethics & safety | Code of conduct, protection of student/patient data, consent | Internal policies, terms |
| Supervised practice | Hours, supervisor/student ratio, supervisor qualification | Supervision records |
| Governance | Structure, transparency, complaint handling | Bylaws, org chart, complaints channel |
| Jurisdictional alignment | The school tells students what the training enables (and what it does not) in each jurisdiction | Student disclosure document |
Outcome levels: Certified / Certified with conditions (correction plan within a defined term) / Not certified. Validity: fixed period (e.g. 3 years) with monitoring; renewal by re-assessment. Conditions and deadlines are public on the verification page.
Professionals
The professional must prove they are legally authorized to practice in their jurisdiction — via the psychoanalysis license where it exists, or the corresponding mental-health license (psychologist, clinical social worker, counselor, psychiatrist) + analytic training where psychoanalysis is not licensed. In unregulated jurisdictions, the professional declares the basis under which they practice. Without this, there is no certification.
| Domain | What is assessed |
|---|---|
| Training | Degree + analytic training at a recognized institute |
| Legal authorization | Valid license/registration in the jurisdiction (verified) |
| Supervised clinical experience | Hours and qualified supervision |
| Ethics | Adherence to the AIMS Code of Ethics; clean disciplinary record |
| Continuing education | Periodic updating to maintain the credential |
Credential verification: every license and diploma is verified at the source before certification, and the status is visible in the directory (Pending / Verified / Suspended). Renewal cycles are periodic — shorter, because this is a health field — with proof of continuing education and an active license.
Standards for the Clinics and Curricula & Programs tracks are in development and will be published here before those tracks open.
Five steps, one continuous process
- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04
- 05
What a decision means
Certified
The applicant meets the published standard in full. The seal is issued with a fixed validity period.
Certified with conditions
Substantially meets the standard, with a correction plan to be completed within a defined term. Conditions are public.
Not certified
Does not yet meet the standard. The decision includes a written justification and the right to appeal.
Validity is a fixed period (e.g. 3 years) with continuous monitoring; renewal is by re-assessment. Conditions and deadlines are public on each certificate’s verification page.
Common questions
Is AIMS certification a license to practice?
No. It is a voluntary professional credential that complements — never replaces — the license required by the professional’s jurisdiction.
How are credentials verified?
Every license and diploma is verified at the source before certification, and the status remains visible on the public verification page.
Can a certification be revoked?
Yes. Under the Disciplinary Policy a certification can be suspended or revoked for ethics violations, loss of license, or fraud, with due process. The status is reflected in the directory.
How long does a certification last?
A fixed period (e.g. 3 years) with continuous monitoring. Renewal is by re-assessment and proof of continuing education.