Education Standards

Learn more about the certification standards, educational requirements, and process to become a Certified Integrative Therapist™ (CIT).

Certification Pathway

Certified Integrative Therapist™ Credential

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must complete a total of 1,200 hours of education (primary and secondary) and 100 hours of supervised practice.

Certifying Body: Integrative Therapy Association (ITA)
Credential Title: Certified Integrative Therapist™ (CIT)
Application Fee: $125
One-Time Credential Fee: $1,250
Annual Renewal Fee: $250
Recertification: Every 2 years, with 20 hours of approved continuing education

Comparative

Summary Of Requirements

Category	Requirement	Notes & Clarifications
Total Education Hours	1,200 hrs	800 Primary + 400 Secondary
Primary Education	800 hrs	Most wellness trainings accepted. Does not require ITA prior approval.
Secondary Education	400 hrs	Mental Health-focused, requires prior ITA approval.
Practicum Hours	100 hrs	Supervised client sessions
Continuing Education	20 hrs every 2 yrs	Most wellness education accepted. Does not require ITA prior approval.
Application Fee	$125	Non-refundable
One-Time Credential Fee	$950
Anual Credential Fee	$250
Certification Title	Certified Integrative Therapist	Issued by ITA

Detailed Requirements For Education & Certification

Applicants must complete the following requirements to apply for the CIT credential.

Primary Education (Minimum 800 Hours)

Primary education consists of holistic and body-based training that establishes a foundation in integrative mental and physical health. Eligible areas include:

Life coaching or health coach training
Massage therapy education 
Yoga, meditation, or breathwork teacher training 
Somatic therapy or parts therapy programs 
Reiki, energy work, or other energetic healing modalities 
Traditional Chinese Medicine or Ayurveda 
Physical therapy or movement-based therapeutic practices 
Other recognized holistic or body-based education programs

Primary education must include both theoretical learning and direct experiential practice. Programs must demonstrate clearly defined learning outcomes and verification of total training hours. Primary education providers do not need to be approved by the ITA in order to count for primary education. Students must submit their certificates of completion, verifying that they completed 800 hours of primary education.

Secondary Education (Minimum 300 Hours)

Secondary education consists of advanced training focused on the application of integrative methods in a one-on-one mental health context. Secondary education must meet rigorous standards of education set by the ITA. Secondary education providers must be pre-approved by the ITA. It must be completed within 5 calendar years of submission for certificaiton. Secondary education does not need to be continuous and can be completed through multiple approved organizations.

To qualify, the secondary education program must:

Provide at least 100 hours of structured curriculum 
Demonstrate clear, measurable learning objectives specifically in the field of mental health.  
Be taught by lead instructors holding a minimum of a master’s degree in psychology, counseling, social work, or a related field. 
Include formal assessment processes that evaluate practical skill, ethical awareness, and client interaction.

Require demonstration of skills through live or recorded client sessions reviewed and graded by the lead instructor, or another qualified instructor.

Practicum and Supervision Standards

All applicants must complete at least 100 hours of direct client work as part of their secondary education.
  During this practicum period:

The practitioner must be under active supervision from one of the following: 
1. A licensed mental health professional 
2. A qualified instructor holding a master’s degree or higher 
3. A verified lead trainer from the secondary education provider

Applicants must participate in at least 10 supervision sessions with a pre-approved ITA supervisor during their practicum.
Supervisors must provide written verification of oversight and attest to the student’s professional competence, ethical conduct, and clinical skill.

Maintaining Your Credential

Continuing Education

Certified Integrative Therapists must complete 20 hours of approved continuing education (CE) every 2 years.

CE may include courses, workshops, or mentorship programs that expand the practitioner’s knowledge in integrative therapy, ethics, trauma-informed care, or new modalities of somatic and mind-body practice. There is no pre-approval process for continuing education.

The ITA will accept a broad submission of any continuing education related to mental health, spirituality, and body-based therapy.