Certification in Lifestyle Medicine (Board Certification) now available in the UK.
Applications are now open for 2022. Closing September 2022.
Exams to be held in regional test centres from 26th November to 11th December 2022. Exact locations outlined post September.
There are 4 parts to the Certification
1) Online learning 2) In person learning 3) Case Study 4) Exam
Some Diplomates may also choose a maintenance of certification pathway rather than recertification in year 10
Important information for those wishing to write in 2023
ACLM have confirmed that online access to version 3 of the LMBRC will expire in April 2023 and therefore, should you be planning on certifying next year, it is recommended that you wait for version 4 to be released. If you have already purchased this, you will still be able to adequately prepare through the hard copy manual. If you have any questions about the LMBRC access, ACLM have provided contact details education@lifestylemedicine.org where they can support, if you’d like to chat through with us at office@bslm.org.uk or 01224 036 560.
By signing up for the Certification through BSLM, you are paying for the registration fee and IBLM exam. Eligibility for the exam relies on completion of separate pre-requisites. We have listed these below, with the recommended way of achieving:
- 30 hours of online learning. The recommended learning for this the is LMBRC through ACLM at $499 (non CME is sufficient)
- 10 hours of in-person learning. We plan to hold our next annual conference in Sep 2022 in London. If you’re signed up to the Certification you will qualify for the members rate. Some learning, networking & engagement just can’t be done online!
- Submission of a Case Study. (reflective).
- Successful completion of the IBLM Board Exam. Taking place from 26th November to 11th December.
Click here for BSLM/IBLM diploma FAQS
Overview
BSLM is officially accredited to offer the opportunity to obtain certification from the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine (IBLM).
Certification can be undertaken from a clinical or public health perspective. Certification demonstrates your commitment to, and expertise in, Lifestyle Medicine, augmenting your clinical or public health practice, with a solid grounding in preventing, managing and reversing chronic and lifestyle-related disease.
- IBLM/BSLM Certified Physician – Physicians registered to work in the UK (or Europe where local Society does not exist)
- IBLM/BSLM Certified Professional – Health professionals with a Masters or PhD
- BSLM Certified Practitioner – Health practitioners at Degree level
Registration & pricing
- Certified Physician* – £1,395.00 (single up-front payment)
- Certified Professional** – £1,195.00 (single up-front payment)
- Certified Practitioner** – £1,195.00 (single up-front payment) *Including Registration fee £300 which is non-refundable **Including Registration fee £260 which is non-refundable
Watch the videos below to better understand the reasons for certification and the importance of having an internationally-recognised and consistent standard for Lifestyle Medicine professionals.
About the BSLM Diplomate
What the Students Say
We are now accepting new applications for the 2022 diploma. Application form below.
It is not compulsory to become a member of the BSLM to sign up for the diploma although of course we are grateful for the support of the charity should you wish to do so.
What’s involved …
1) 30 Hours of online learning
Certification involves a self-directed learning process, however, BSLM provides candidates with the assistance of our voluntary Study Group leaders and access to a section of the website with educational resources for certification. The exam must be taken within 36 months of CPD.
Candidates are strongly recommended to undertake the no CME foundations of Lifestyle Medicine Board Review Course (LMBRC) offered by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. This course which provides 30 hours of learning was developed by lead authors John Kelly, MD, MPH and Jeni Shull, MD, MPH, with active participation from an Editorial Advisory Panel comprised of many of the leading experts in the field of lifestyle medicine.
Candidates wishing to include additional learning are encouraged to consider the 30 hour online Lifestyle Medicine Core Competencies course offered by the American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM), as this will also provide a solid grounding for the exam. There is a separate fee charged by ACPM for this course. Unfortunately there is no special discount for BSLM members.
There are also other highly regarded courses that will assist with exam preparation. The following are recommended by the IBLM:
- Institute of Lifestyle Medicine (Harvard) online courses
- Cornell certificate in plant-based nutrition .
2) In-Person Learning
In addition to theoretical content, there is a live, in-person requirement element so that health professionals can experience the energy, enthusiasm and motivation that comes from a gathering of a movement. The in-person requirement enables you to network with like-minded individuals, peers and experts. Engaging with others who may both struggle and succeed in getting traction in their daily jobs, drawing on their newfound knowledge. Lifestyle Medicine is at the pioneering stage and thus needs passionate, purpose driven people who collaborate with each other to bring about change.
Attending BSLM’s annual or regional conferences, or other similar BSLM events, qualify for the 10 hours of in-person cpd. Each conference hour, including gala dinner, is accepted as an in-person cpd hour. This must be physical, in-person attendance, for the reasons above.
In person learning counts within 36 month period. Unfortunately BSLM2020 was a virtual event and therefore does not qualify, all in-person attendance for previous Conferences, within the 36 month period, will qualify.
Other ways of meeting this pre-requisite could include international Lifestyle Medicine Society events (ACLM, ASLM, etc ),
Institute of Lifestyle Medicine (Harvard) conferences .
Food as Medicine conferences.
International Plant Based Nutrition Healthcare Conferences
Check out our Events Page for upcoming alternative options for in person events (Covid guidelines dependent).
3) Case Study
The third pre-requisite is the submission of a case study. This is more of a reflective piece and can be done on a patient, friend/family member, even yourself … but is to highlight your understanding and implementation of the lifestyle changes implemented. The case study is to be completed one month prior to the start of exam period.
4) Exam
The final stage of certification is the writing of the annual International Board of Lifestyle Medicine exam. The exams will take place from the 26th November to 11th December.
The exams are all 4 hours and consist of multiples choice questions (150 for Physicians and 120 for Professionals & Practitioners)
- 150 multiple choice questions for Lifestyle Medicine physicians (four hours)
- 120 multiple choice questions for Lifestyle Medicine professionals/practitioners (four hours)
BSLM will provide additional resources, references, articles and other reading to assist with exam preparation.
The IBLM sets and maintains standards for assessment and credentialling of physicians and ph/d masters level health professionals globally. For more information on the exam content, please click here.
Maintenance of Certification
In accordance with international standards, health care professionals must recertify in a chosen field every 10 years. This means diplomates must repeat the certification process, submitting the required prerequisites, paying the full amount for the exam and enduring the stress of studying and sitting for the exam. Many board-certified physicians and allied health professionals do not find this a satisfactory course of action, so the alternative is the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) pathway.
Up until 2021, the IBLM pathway has been the only option available, but many Diplomates have been keen to ensure that there is UK & European context to this continued learning and therefore we are delighted to confirm that maintenance of certification in the UK is now available through BSLM.
Our MOC programme is aligned with that of the IBLM and by continuing to maintain your Diploma you will not be required to re-sit the exam after the 10 year period has lapsed.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m not a medical doctor, can I still register for board certification?
There are three types of certification available, based on your education and profession. Essentially you need to be a physician, or public health professional with a Masters or PhD level qualification to be certified by both the IBLM & BSLM, or a health practitioner at degree level to complete the Practitioner Qualification certified by the BSLM.
Can you explain more about the other courses I need to complete as part of the certification process?
We strongly recommend you undertake the Foundations of Lifestyle Medicine Board Review Course (LMBRC) offered by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM). You will see two options for this course available, the no CME option is sufficient. The CME version of the course is a US only requirement. There are alternative courses which have been recommended by the IBLM but the LMBRC is seen as the best preparation. The BSLM Learning Academy is currently working on creating a UK based Board Review Course. Unfortunately this will not be available until 2023 and the LMBRC remains the recommended course.
What kind of support will I have to prepare for the exam?
The education resources area of the BSLM website will support you with exam preparation – directing you towards the right literature to study.
In 2021 we also introduced some additional support and benefits.
- Access to volunteer Study Group leaders, Diplomates themselves, and therefore best positioned to support you and answer your questions along the way.
- A sample MCQ test, drawing on past test questions and other learnings, we were able to provide a taster of the exam content and experience.
- BSLM Member discount for the first Lifestyle Medicine MCQ e-book, created specifically for the IBLM exam preparation
I’m living internationally / licensed to practice in another country?
To complete the IBLM/BSLM Physician, you must be registered to work in the UK (or Europe where local Society does not exist). Those practicing outside of the UK should be registering through the Lifestyle Medicine Society in their country, or closest society accredited to deliver the exam. You can find details of IBLM’s international partners here.
There are situations where those currently living outside of the UK have a legitimate reason to sign up through BSLM, feel free to send details of such requests to office@bslm.org.uk
Get In Touch
If you have any further questions about Lifestyle Medicine Certification please email office@bslm.org.uk and book a personal call in with one of our study group leaders.
From the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine
Registration & Pricing
Registrations for the 2022 diploma exam are now open. The exam will be held in a test centre near you from 26th November to 11th December – More details can be provided from office@bslm.org.uk
If you are a BSLM member please ensure you are logged in before completing the form below. To become a BSLM member first, please click here.
A reminder that it is not compulsory to become a member to sign up for the Diploma (although we, of course, appreciate the support of our charity), you will receive full access as a member until completion of your exam.
*Please utilise name as per ID for Certification & Exam entrance purposes