ENDORSEMENT POLICIES

Endorsement is available across four practice specialties spanning the continuum of care. Individuals apply for the Endorsement category that best matches their scope of practice.

To renew Endorsement annually, the following is required:

  • On-going membership in AK-AIMH
  • 15 clock hours of training related to culturally sensitive, relationship-focused practice promoting infant and early childhood mental health. If you are a provider of RSC, at least 3 hours of the 15 hours required need to be about the provision of RSC. Starting in 2024, all Endorsed professionals will also need 1 hour of DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) training specific to IECMH for renewal.
  • 12 clock hours of RSC annually for professionals endorsed at IFS/ECFS, IFRS/ECFRS, IMHS/ECMHS, and IMHM-C/ECMHM-C*
    Infant Family Specialist and Infant Family Reflective Supervisor: Prevention/Early Intervention

*This renewal requirement applies to all IFS/ECFS, IFRS/ECFRS, IMHS/ECMHS and IMHM-C/ECMHM-C professionals, regardless of when Endorsement was originally earned.

Reinstatement of Endorsement Lapses

If a practitioner fails to update membership in AK-AIMH and/or annual Endorsement renewal hours by December 31st of any year, they will be removed from the Endorsement Registry.

If removed from the Endorsement Registry, a professional must:

  • Log into EASy
  • Add education, work, in-service training, and RSC experiences that have been accrued since removal from the registry
  • Get three updated reference ratings (via EASy)
  • Pay Endorsement Processing Fee

Applying for Endorsement if Out of State Applicant

AK-AIMH cannot accept Endorsement applications from those who reside outside of Alaska. Even if the Applicant works in Alaska, if the applicant resides in another state, they must apply for Endorsement in the state where they reside. If an applicant works in a state that has Endorsement but resides in a state that does not have Endorsement AND the applicant’s employer requires Endorsement, it may be possible for the applicant to earn Endorsement through the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health. To see if Endorsement is available where you reside, please visit The Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health. Don't hesitate to contact Kelly Sipotz at ksipotz@allianceaimh.org if you think you need to apply for Endorsement through the Alliance.

Changing Endorsement Categories

Applicants may desire to earn multiple categories of Endorsement based on their professional journey and scope of work practice. It is important to connect with the AIMH’s Endorsement Coordinator to develop an Endorsement plan that supports your professional goals.

To assure fulfillment of the Endorsement requirements as specified, an endorsed professional will “add a new Endorsement application” within their EASy application. Name of AIMH requires that this is done a minimum of 4-6weeks before the review deadline to assure that all of the requirements are understood, that there is adequate time for preparation for the IMHS/ECMHS or IMHM/ECMHM Endorsement exam, and that the application is updated with new information pertinent to the applicant’s current status (including contact information).

Inactive Endorsement Status

AK-AIMH maintains an Inactive Endorsement Registry for those who have earned Endorsement but have extenuating circumstances and cannot meet annual renewal requirements, including those sanctioned by a licensing board.

Inactive Status: Endorsed professional continues with ongoing requirements for membership and 5 hours of specialized in-service training annually but is unable to fulfill the full training requirement of 15 hours and/or is unable to receive 12 hours of RSC. All categories of Endorsement are eligible for Inactive Status.

Endorsed professionals who move to Inactive Status will be removed from the Endorsement Registry and can no longer use the IMH-E® or ECMH-E® credential after their name or promote themselves as actively endorsed or as a provider of reflective supervision/consultation. A Reactivation Application and a $25 reactivation fee can be submitted at any time to return to the Endorsement Registry. For those sanctioned by a licensing board, the Reactivation Application can be submitted only after sanctions have been lifted, along with documentation from the licensing board.

For IFS/ECFS, IFRS/ECFRS, IMHS/ECMHS, and IMHM/ECMHM endorsed professionals who are no longer working in the IECMH field and no longer receiving RSC, but who wish to continue to remain on the Endorsement Registry, they will be offered the option to apply for IFA/ECFA Endorsement (through a new IFA/ECFA Application in EASy). These professionals will not need to complete the entire application, as they previously demonstrated fulfillment of the competencies and requirements through their previous application for Endorsement. Upon applying for and receiving IFA/ECFA Endorsement, these endorsed professionals must follow the ongoing annual Endorsement renewal requirements of 15 hours of in-service training and membership maintenance in AK-AIMH.

Inactive Endorsement Status: Returning to Active Endorsement Status

When the endorsed professional is ready to return to active status, they will complete and apply for Reactivation to Active Endorsement Registry (hyperlink to application) and a check for $25 for the Reactivation Fee to AK-AIMH.

Once reviewed and approved, the endorsed professional’s name will be moved from the Inactive Endorsement Registry to the Endorsement Registry. The number of training hours expected for annual Endorsement renewal will be prorated depending on the date the application to reactivate is received. The Endorsement Coordinator will email you the number of hours you will be expected to submit.

Endorsement Exam Special Accommodations

Suppose an IMHS/ECMHS or IMHM/ECMHM Endorsement applicant would like an accommodation for either part of the examination. In that case, they must submit a written request to the Endorsement Coordinator at least eight weeks before the exam date. The request must detail the kind of accommodation being requested and documentation of the need for accommodation (i.e., assessment from a professional). The Endorsement Coordinator will respond to the request at least 10 days before the examination date.

AK-AIMH is committed to meeting all its members' needs but may not be able to grant every accommodation request. AK-AIMH will work closely with the applicant to develop a plan that offers reasonable accommodation without compromising the exam's integrity, the applicant's identity, or the exam reviewers' identity. In these instances, offering the exam on a different date may be necessary and appropriate to accommodate the applicant. If AK-AIMH is unsure of the appropriate accommodation for a special circumstance, AK-AIMH may contact the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health Quality Assurance Manager.

Suppose an IMHS/ECMHS or IMHM/ECMHM Endorsement applicant’s primary language is something other than English, and the Applicant requests an accommodation. In that case, they can have up to an additional 60 minutes for each section of the exam, i.e., a total of 2 ½ hours for Part One and a total of 2 ½ hours for Part Two. In addition, they may take a dictionary into the examination to assist in translation (e.g., a Spanish-to-English dictionary). ESL accommodations do not require documentation except for a written request for the standard extension of time outlined above. Further documentation may be required if more time than the standard extension is requested.

Endorsement Exam Scores, Feedback, Retakes and Decision Reviews

Applicants must receive passing scores on Part One and Part Two of the exam to earn AK-AIMH Endorsement. A passing score on the exam's Part One (the multiple-choice section) is 80%. Applicants who do not receive a passing score on Part Two of the exam (response to vignettes/scenarios) will receive feedback based on the exam reviewers’ remarks.

Regardless of the outcome, all who take the exam will receive feedback based on the exam reviewers’ remarks. The feedback is offered to promote professional development and can help guide the selection of specialized in-service training opportunities and continuing reflective supervision or consultation experiences.

Applicants must submit a written request to retake the exam at least eight weeks before the examination date. The request must be sent to the Endorsement Coordinator. Applicants must wait six months to retake part 1 and one year to retake part 2. Retaking either part of the exam the second time is free. Suppose any applicant does not successfully pass the exam after two attempts. In that case, the applicant must wait at least one year before retaking the exam, update their EASy application with three new reference ratings and new training/work/supervision experiences, and submit their application for another review. If the applicant is approved to sit for the exam again, the applicant must pay the retake fee of $100.

At least two trained exam reviewers must agree on whether or not an exam response (qualitative section) passes. There is no appeal process if the applicant disagrees with this decision. As stated in the Endorsement Agreement, signed by every Endorsement applicant: “The decision of AK-AIMH concerning whether or not endorsement will be granted is final and binding.”

Applicants are invited to consider the feedback offered by exam reviewers and sit for the exam again in one year’s time (see policy above, “Retakes”)

Endorsement Application Submission, Review and Approval to sit for the Exam

IMHS/ECMHS and IMHM/ECMHM applicants must submit a completed application at least four weeks before the exam date. Exam dates and application submission deadlines are posted within our Events Calendar. Applications must be submitted via EASy in their entirety*, by 11:59 pm on the deadline day. IMHS/ECMHS and IMHM/ECMHM applications are reviewed by at least one professional who has earned an Endorsement and has been trained to review applications.

If the application reviewer(s) believe the applicant is not yet ready to sit for the exam, the applicant will be given specific feedback about the decision. AK-AIMH will email the applicant identifying strengths and gaps as they relate to the competencies. One year later, the applicant will be invited to update their EASy application, including new reference rating forms, and will be reconsidered to take the exam at that time.

Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RSC)

Peer supervision (defined as colleagues meeting together without an identified supervisor/consultant to guide the reflective process), while valuable for many RSC experienced practitioners, does not meet the criteria for Endorsement, even if one or more of the peers has earned Endorsement at IFRS/ECFRS, IMHS/ECMHS, or IMHM-C/ECMHM-C. The provider of RSC is charged with holding the emotional content of the cases presented. The ability to do so is compromised when the provider is a peer of the presenter. Unnecessary complications can arise when the provider of RSC has concerns about a peer’s ability to serve a particular family due to the peer’s emotional response AND the provider and peer share office space, for example.