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, innovation and technology in learning, 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
Eight domains, each scored 0 to 10 with a public weight. The weighted average sets the institution's class.
| Domain | Weight | What is assessed | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curriculum & scientific merit | 20% | Evidence base, theory and technique, course hours, current reading list | Syllabus, bibliography, curriculum map |
| Faculty | 15% | Faculty credentials, licenses and clinical experience | CVs, verifiable licenses, sameAs |
| Innovation & technology in learning | 15% | Virtual learning environment, synchronous and asynchronous teaching, simulated clinical cases, responsible use of AI, periodic content review based on recent research | Access to the learning environment, AI use policy, record of curriculum reviews |
| Teaching method & learning assessment | 15% | Instructional design, assessment instruments, feedback to students | Teaching plan, assessment instruments |
| Ethics, safety & data protection | 10% | Code of conduct, student and patient data protection, consent | Internal policies, terms |
| Governance & transparency | 10% | Structure, transparency, complaint handling | Bylaws, org chart, complaints channel |
| Outcomes & student support | 10% | Completion and dropout, alumni follow-up, student support, accessibility | Indicators from recent cycles, student and alumni survey |
| Jurisdictional alignment | 5% | The school tells students what the training qualifies them for (and what not) in each jurisdiction | Student disclosure document |
Every score cites the evidence behind it. Ethics and Jurisdictional alignment are critical domains (see the gates below). Validity: fixed period (e.g. 3 years) with monitoring; renewal by re-assessment.
Classes from B to AAA
The class sums up the assessment on a single scale, from B to AAA (the highest). It appears on the seal and on the verification page, alongside each domain's score.
| Class | Weighted score | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| AAA | 9.0 to 10 | Certified |
| AA | 8.0 to 8.9 | Certified |
| A | 7.0 to 7.9 | Certified |
| BBB | 6.0 to 6.9 | Certified |
| BB | 5.0 to 5.9 | Certified with conditions |
| B | 4.0 to 4.9 | Certified with conditions |
| — | below 4.0 | Not certified |
Gates
- A critical domain below 5 caps the class at BB. Below 3: not certified.
- AAA requires no domain below 8 and an interview or visit, in person or online.
- Self-declared evidence alone caps the class at BBB.
- Two assessors, each with a conflict-of-interest declaration. A gap of more than 2 points in a domain brings in a third assessor.
- An assessor linked to the institution takes no part in its assessment.
- An open ethics case puts the class under watch until it is decided.
References: ESG 2015 (ENQA), ISO 21001:2018, UNESCO guidance on AI in education (2023) and DigCompOrg/DigCompEdu (European Commission).
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) |
| 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.
What a decision means
Certified
The candidate meets the published standard, with class BBB or higher. The seal is issued with a fixed validity period.
Certified with conditions
Substantially meets the standard (class B or BB), with a correction plan to complete 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.