Use of Credentials

DEFINITIONS:

MEMBER: Anyone interested in being a member of the IANM, health care provider, politician, business, college university, etc.;

CERTIFIED: Health Care providers of all classes who have a doctorate degree and who have completed a 100 hour minimum course completion diploma in one of our recognized specialties;

BOARD CERTIFIED: Health Care providers of all classes who have a doctorate degree, who have completed the 300 hour course in NMSM or its equivalent (our portfolio review), and who have successfully passed Part I and Part II of the IANM examination or its equivalent; 

FELLOW: Health Care providers of all classes who have a doctorate degree, who have completed the 300 hour course in NMSM or its equivalent (our portfolio review), who have successfully passed Part I and Part II of the IANM examination or its equivalent, and who have successfully completed all of the other requirements for that Specialty Section for Fellowship. 

EQUIVALENCY: Those who have received diplomate status in other classes or professions, those who have requested, have been granted and have an approved portfolio review by the specialty section chair and then may take the Parts I and Part II IANM exam; or those with equivalent prior learning testing and experience expertise as requested by the specialty section chair and approved by the IANM credentialing committee may use the credentials per compliance with the Credential Usage terms.

CREDENTIAL USAGE:

Those who have achieved the levels defined above and who are current with the Continuing Clinical Competence (CCC) may use the following credentials:

MEMBER: none

CERTIFIED: 

John Henry Doe, DC
Injection Therapy Certificant

BOARD CERTIFIED: DIANM Diplomates

John Henry Doe, DC, DIANM
Board Certified International Academy of Neuromuculoskeletal Medicine

FELLOW: FIANM

John Henry Doe, DC, FIANM
Board Certified International Academy of Neuromuculoskeletal Medicine
Injection Therapy Fellow
Forensic Science Fellow, etc.

Use of DABCO Credentials

The use of Academy-recognized credentials is based on documented academic and clinical achievement, current compliance with the Continuing Clinical Competence (CCC) program, and payment of applicable dues for the credential category. The DABCO credential remains an historically earned designation that recognizes prior achievement; however, the American Board of Chiropractic Orthopedists (ABCO) became inactive more than twenty years ago. Accordingly, use of the DABCO credential alone does not establish current certification status, active standing, or compliance with the IANM Continuing Clinical Competence (CCC) requirements. The International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (IANM) does not issue, certify, or endorse the DABCO credential. Consistent with the Academy’s mission, the IANM website provides a pathway for DABCO holders to participate in the ICCC program and, when applicable, upgrade their credentials to DACO, DIANM, or FAINM, thereby attaining active Diplomate or Fellow status with eligibility for primary-source verification of current certification. Effective July 1, 2026, the Academy’s public directory will no longer display DABCO holders with current renewal dates and the IANM will no longer certify DABCO.

Purpose of Clinical Competence for the Specialist

Certification is not a one-time academic achievement, but an ongoing professional commitment to excellence in patient care.

Board-certified specialists are expected to continually enhance their scientific knowledge, refine clinical judgment, strengthen diagnostic accuracy, demonstrate ethical professionalism, and contribute to the advancement of the specialty.

Continuing Clinical Competence (CCC) provides the framework through which the Academy verifies that its Diplomates and Fellows continue to meet these high standards throughout their professional careers.

The purpose of ICCC is not merely to document continuing education, but to promote lifelong professional growth, protect the public, and preserve the integrity and value of specialty certification.

CCC PAYMENTS:  

Class	Yearly Amount	Exam
Certificants	$100	5 years mandatory
Diplomates	$200	4 years voluntary
Fellows	$300	3 years mandatory
Retired	$50	voluntary
Faculty*	$50	voluntary
* *Full time faculty at a CCE accredited institution or program