FAQs

Do I qualify to take the Institute of Restorative Health programs?

We provide an advanced certification program to qualified health practitioners. We require that you be a licensed health professional, be certified in one of the following areas, or alumni from the following schools:

Any licensed health professional
Any certified nutrition professional
RHN (Registered Holistic Nutritionist)
Certified Holistic Nutrition Consultant (CHNC)
Certified Nutritional Practitioner from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition (IHN)
Registered Dietitian or other board-certified licensed nutrition professional
Alumni of the FxNutrition program
Nutritional Therapy Practitioners and Consultants
Functional Diagnostic Nutrition alumni
Alumni of the Integrative Health Practitioner Institute Level 1 and 2 (IHP2)
Graduates with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in nutrition
IFNCP from Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy
Truly Heal Functional Medicine Health Coach
Certified Transformational Nutrition Coach (CTNC) from The Institute of Transformational Nutrition
Certified holistic nutritionist through AFPA (American Fitness Professionals Association)
Graduates of the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy
Alumni of the Functional Sports Medicine Institute
Professional Members of the National Association of Nutrition Professionals
Licensed Health Professionals

If your designation is not listed above or if your school is not on this list, please contact us.

How do I sign up for The Core Curriculum?

Prior to registering for the IRH Core Curriculum, all students must apply for acceptance. We do this to better serve our students in class and ensure all students have a solid foundational understanding of the core principles of anatomy, physiology, and nutrition. You will be asked to provide details about your educational background and current professional practice, as well as certification documents (no pending certifications, please). Click here to learn more and apply.

Have questions regarding the program? Book a call to chat with admissions and get your questions answered.

Please note: When you apply to study with us, there is a one-time $50 non-refundable application fee that does not expire once you have been approved. Once you have been accepted, you are welcome to register at any time.

When are the class cohorts offered?

The Core Curriculum consists of three courses taken sequentially over approximately 10 months. It starts twice a year with Mastering the Art and Science of Gastrointestinal Healing, at the end of January and beginning of September. Effective January 2027, we will be moving to a trimester system with the following three class sessions:

Winter session (January through March)
Classes offered:
Mastering the Art and Science of Gastrointestinal Healing
Mastering the Art and Science of Nutritional Blood Chemistry*
Spring session (April through June)
Classes offered:
Mastering the Art and Science of Nutritional Blood Chemistry*
Mastering the Art and Science of Optimizing Hormones*
Fall session (September through November)
Classes offered:
Mastering the Art and Science of Gastrointestinal Healing
Mastering the Art and Science of Optimizing Hormones*
The Art and Science of Clinical Mastery**

*Part of The Core Curriculum. Completion of Mastering the Art and Science of Gastrointestinal Healing is a prerequisite.

**Advanced training. Completion of the Core Curriculum is a prerequisite.

If I’m not ready or able to commit to the Core Curriculum in its entirety, can I take the classes individually?

Yes. If, for whatever reason, you’re not able to commit to the Core Curriculum at this time, you can register for the Paced Option beginning with Mastering the Art and Science of Gastrointestinal Healing as a single course.

After that class, you’ll have the option of enrolling in the Core Curriculum again, and all tuition put towards the first class will apply to the Core Curriculum registration fee.

Or, you can continue taking the classes on a class-by-class basis.

The advantage of The Core Curriculum is that you’ll have access to additional resources you would have to pay for separately if you go class-by-class, such as:

4 one-on-one mentoring sessions with a member of the IRH Faculty
All tools in our business-building toolkit
Our CGM Challenge toolkit
Annual membership in our alumni association

All of these resources are available to you if you go class-by-class, but at an additional cost.

If I take a class individually, can I upgrade to The Core Curriculum?

You can upgrade to the Core Curriculum at any point from registration through completion of Mastering the Art and Science of Gastrointestinal Healing. Once you have begun your second course, this option no longer applies.

To upgrade, you will simply pay the Core Curriculum tuition minus what you paid for Mastering the Art and Science of Gastrointestinal Healing as a standalone class. You will have 12 months from the start date of the first course after upgrading to complete the outstanding two classes.

Upgraded students may enter whichever course is next available – either Mastering the Art and Science of Nutritional Blood Chemistry or Mastering the Art and Science of Optimizing Hormones. Students are not required to follow the recommended sequence, as the curriculum is designed to support flexibility after GI healing.

If I have completed two of the core IRH courses, can I upgrade to the Core Curriculum for the third?

No – the Core Curriculum upgrade is not available once you have begun your second course in the IRH program. You are more than welcome to continue the path forward by completing the third course at the standalone price and purchasing any of the additional benefits offered in the Core Curriculum at their standalone prices.

Do I receive business support as part of the IRH curriculum?

Yes. We recognize that clinical skills without the understanding of how to incorporate them into your business would be incomplete training. We provide you with a core set of business-building tools as part of the Core Curriculum. These include:

From Consultation to Commitment – a 2-hour training on how to set up and price your packages to include functional lab testing, and how to use your initial consultation and skills as a clinician as your most powerful asset to convert clients into high-ticket packages. Note: this training is included in Mastering the Art and Science of Gastrointestinal Healing as a standalone course.
The IRH Package Builder – a done-for-you spreadsheet template for pricing your packages (Only included in the Core Curriculum offer)
Final Session Framework – a 1-hour training on how to format your final package session as a transition into annual packages and set up your clients and your business for long-term success (Only included in the Core Curriculum offer)
Practice Better Templates – all IRH forms, templates, and questionnaires are pre-built for you in Practice Better – simply enter the code and all our forms appear in your Practice Better Account (Only included in the Core Curriculum offer)

How is the Institute of Restorative Health program delivered?

All course materials are delivered through our online classroom. The vast majority of the content is presented in video format with a series of handouts and complementary materials, including detailed transcripts of all videos and PDFs of the video slides.

Each week, we meet via Zoom for a live Q&A webinar, during which you will have direct access to the instructor team to answer your questions and learn from additional case studies.

We also have a very active student forum where you can connect with other students and ask your instructor team any questions related to the class.

In addition to this, our instructors host weekly office hours – these are informal hour-long Zoom meetings where you can discuss concepts and ask additional questions in a smaller group format. Our policy is that no relevant question goes unanswered, and we make every effort to ensure you have everything needed to learn, practice, and master these new skills.

What is the cost of tuition?

The Core Curriculum program $12,957
Includes:

Tuition for Mastering the Art & Science of Gastrointestinal Healing
Tuition for Mastering the Art & Science of Nutritional Blood Chemistry
Tuition for Mastering the Art & Science of Optimizing Hormones
4 x 60-minute one-on-one mentoring sessions
Expert business-building toolkit
CGM Challenge Toolkit
1-year membership in the IRH Alumni Association

Mastering the Art & Science of Gastrointestinal Healing as standalone class: $4,000

Mastering the Art & Science of Optimizing Hormones as standalone class (pre-requisites required): $4,300

Mastering the Art & Science of Nutritional Blood Chemistry as standalone class (pre-requisites required): $4,500

The Art & Science of Clinical Mastery (pre-requisites required) $5,000

NOTE: Prices are subject to change without notice, and will be increasing effective fall 2026 for the 2027 academic year. 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year payment plans are available.

Payment plans available. Details provided during the admissions process.

The integrated pathway reflects a preferred investment for practitioners committed to completing the methodology in full.

What are the requirements to be certified as a Restorative Health Practitioner?

In order to achieve certification as a Restorative Health Practitioner, students must complete all the following requirements:

Complete all course modules and demonstrate full comprehension through successful completion of all module quizzes. A passing grade of 80% is required. Two attempts are provided for each quiz.

Attend or listen to the recordings of all webinars.

Complete the case study project with a grade of 80% or higher. Two attempts are provided, with extensive instructor feedback.

Complete the final exam(s) with a grade of 80% or higher. Two attempts are provided per exam, with general instructor guidance on areas missed and warranting further study.

Students must sign and comply with the practitioner code of ethics.

On successful completion of the Gastrointestinal Healing, Blood Chemistry, and Hormones courses, you will receive an RHP – Core Curriculum Certified designation.

On completion of the above for Mastering the Art and Science of Gastrointestinal Healing only, you will receive an RHP-1 designation, and are qualified to take both Mastering the Art and Science of Optimizing Hormones and Mastering the Art and Science of Nutritional Blood Chemistry.

On completion of the above requirements for two of our core courses, you will receive an RHP-2 designation; on completion of our three core courses, you will receive an RHP-3 designation. Once all three of these courses have been successfully completed, you also qualify for our capstone course, The Art and Science of Clinical Mastery.

Once you have completed all requirements for the Core Curriculum and The Art and Science of Clinical Mastery, you will receive our highest designation and become a Master Restorative Health Practitioner (MRHP)

Any enrolled student unable to complete and pass a course per the requirements above may register for the next cohort offered at a one-time 50% discount.

Are there requirements to maintain my certification?

Once you’ve received your certificate as a Restorative Health Practitioner, there are no further requirements to complete.

How long do I have access to the course materials?

You have access to the course materials for one calendar year from the course end date. For example, if you take Mastering the Art and Science of Gastrointestinal Healing in September of 2026, you will have access to all curriculum updates in that year through December 2027. If you would like to purchase ongoing access to curriculum updates, you may do so for a fee of $50/course per year.

Note: if you have participated in a course in that calendar year or if you are an active member of the Alumni Association, the curriculum access fee is waived.

How long does it take to complete the program?

The Core Curriculum is designed to be completed in ten months. If needed, you have 18 months, which allows for one semester break.

Each of the three courses in The Core Curriculum is 12 weeks, with 10+ weeks of content and 2 weeks for the final exam.

Our capstone course, The Art & Science of Clinical Mastery, spans 15 weeks, with 12 weeks of content and 2 weeks for the final exam.

What happens if I am not able to complete all three programs of the Core Curriculum within the 18-month period?

If you are not able to complete all three programs within the Core Curriculum within the 18-month period, you may request a formal extension. If approved, there will be a $500 re-enrollment fee. Please note that only one extension is available. Any additional extensions will involve a full re-enrollment conversation.

Does the Institute of Restorative Health offer CEUs?

The Institute of Restorative Health offers CEUs for the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP). The breakdown of CEUs is as follows:

Mastering the Art and Science of Gastrointestinal Healing — 24 CEUs

Mastering the Art and Science of Optimizing Hormones — 21 CEUs

Mastering the Art and Science of Nutritional Blood Chemistry — 23 CEUs

The Art and Science of Clinical Mastery — 32 CEUs

What are my payment options? Do you offer a payment plan?

You can pay using any of the following credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.

For the Core Curriculum, we offer four payment options:

A single payment for the full course tuition
A three-month payment plan
A six-month payment plan
A year-long payment plan with our financial partner

If you choose to go course-by-course, we offer three payment options for each individual course:

A single payment for the full course tuition
A three-month payment plan
A six-month payment plan

What is your refund policy?

For the Core Curriculum, we offer a full refund, less a $150 cancellation fee, up to three days after the first class, Mastering the Art and Science of Gastrointestinal Healing, has begun. This gives you the opportunity to get a feel for the curriculum and style of teaching, and determine if it is the right fit.

If a student begins the Core Curriculum and decides they’d like to transfer to the next session of the Core Curriculum instead, they have 15 days from the start of class to submit their request.

If, after completing the first class, you are unable to complete the remainder of The Core Curriculum, you will be refunded the amount paid, less the retail cost of the first class, any mentoring sessions used, the retail costs of the business resources and CGM Challenge toolkit, as well as the 1-year membership in the alumni association (if activated) and a $150 administration fee.

For the single, paced course option, for the first program, Mastering the Art and Science of Gastrointestinal Healing, we offer a full refund, less a $150 cancellation fee, up to three days after class has begun. This gives you three full days to review the first two modules of the class and determine if it’s the right fit for you.

For all subsequent courses in the paced option, there are no refunds once classes have begun.

If a student fails a course, they can retake it for a flat fee of $2000 one time only, the next time the cohort is offered.

What is required to pass each course?

Course requirements for a pass include:

Watching all videos included in the course modules
Watching all required Q&A webinars, demonstrating attendance by entering the secret word shared during the webinar
Passing all module quizzes with 80% or higher (2 attempts given)
Passing the case study project with 80% or higher (2 attempts given – no 3rd attempts permitted)
Passing the final exam(s) with 80% or higher (2 attempts given – no 3rd attempts permitted)

What happens if I fail?

If a student fails a course, they can retake it for a flat fee of $2000 one time only, the next time that class is offered. Students receive a failing grade if any of the above requirements are not met.

If the student is enrolled in the Core Curriculum, this policy applies to each individual course within the program. If the retake forces the student to extend beyond the 18-month window, the standard $500 re-enrollment fee will also apply.

Will I have access to the instructors and other students after the class?

You can stay connected with the instructors and other students in several different ways after class:

You will be invited to join our private Facebook group, an active community of IRH Alumni. This is a free, ongoing resource for all Restorative Health Practitioners available to you once you have passed our Gastrointestinal Healing course.
Once or twice a month, as part of our IRH Clinician’s Corner series, we host interviews with thought leaders and top experts in the industry as an ongoing continuing education opportunity. There is no fee to attend the recordings of these interviews/webinars, and participation in the live audience to interact with the speakers is an exclusive opportunity for IRH alumni.
Throughout the year, we offer free webinars and other educational events that all alumni and prospective students are welcome to attend. For example, our bi-annual Clinical Success Showcase or individual masterclasses.
We offer paid membership in our Alumni Association for those interested in connecting more deeply and regularly on clinical topics and business strategy. If you enroll in The Core Curriculum, your first year of membership is included.
All alumni are also offered the opportunity for additional one-on-one mentoring and clinical support with our instructor team in either 30- or 60-minute sessions. These sessions are priced individually at rates commensurate with the instructor’s level of experience. If you enroll in The Core Curriculum, four 60-minute sessions are included.

Will I have the opportunity to perform my own lab testing with this class?

While the Institute of Restorative Health is strictly an educational organization, not a private practice, we always encourage our students to use the testing and methodology we teach on themselves to gain firsthand experience of the process and healing. Many of our alumni have had tremendous improvements in their own health as a result, making them better practitioners and even stronger advocates for this methodology. That said, doing your own labs is optional, not a requirement.

For each course, the testing recommended aligns with the curriculum:

In Mastering the Art and Science of Gastrointestinal Healing, recommended tests include your personal GI-MAP and food sensitivity evaluation
In Mastering the Art and Science of Nutritional Blood Chemistry, we recommend the IRH comprehensive blood panel
In Mastering the Art and Science of Optimizing Hormones, we recommend your personal adrenal and hormone evaluations
In the Art and Science of Clinical Mastery, we recommend the 3X4 Genetics test as a starting point. We teach many other specialized tests in this capstone course, and which – if any – apply to your individual context will depend on many different factors we’ll teach you in class.

While performing these tests and experiencing the benefits of the IRH Methodology on yourself is completely optional, it is encouraged. As they say, “Healer, heal thyself.” Furthermore, better understanding the experience of your future clients increases your effectiveness as a practitioner.

Please note: any tests you choose to perform on yourself are an additional cost and not part of your IRH tuition.

Am I required to run labs on myself or clients during class?

No. While it is recommended that you run labs on yourself and/or clients during class, it is not required. Lab testing is optional, and the prices for lab tests are not included in class tuition.

I am not a licensed health professional. How will I be able to order and work with labs?

We have both licensed and non-licensed practitioners taking this program, and we offer a variety of different testing options in each course. For those practitioners who are non-licensed, we typically recommend the use of direct access testing services, which are available directly to your clients and do not require a license. We go into great detail on this important and nuanced topic in this free masterclass.

I am not a licensed health professional. Will I be accused of practicing medicine without a license?

The Institute of Restorative Health offers an educational curriculum that teaches health professionals – both licensed and non-licensed – how to support optimal function. We seek to optimize the innate healing capacity of the body to re-establish homeostasis. As a result, many symptoms improve due to addressing the unresolved stressors that compromise health. We do not diagnose or treat disease or conditions of any sort. Our role is to recognize that the greatest healer lies within. We train health professionals to identify any imbalances or blockages to the body’s innate healing process, and then to support the body to come back into balance using our primary tools of diet, supplementation, and lifestyle interventions. We go into great detail on this important and nuanced topic in this free masterclass.

It is up to each individual to acquaint themselves with the unique laws and restrictions of their particular state, province, or country to determine what constitutes the practice of medicine in their jurisdiction.

I’m a licensed provider. Is IRH rigorous and clinically applicable to my patients?

Our courses have been designed to meet even the most challenging clinical scenarios, both from a methodological and evidence-based standpoint. Meaning, we provide you with a proven method to apply to patients, a framework that many of our licensed students tell us was lacking in their previous coursework. Additionally, we routinely update our curriculum to reflect the most up-to-date research, thanks to the work of our Director of Research and her team. Our graduates include MDs, NDs, NPs, RDs, nurses, acupuncturists, chiropractors, and many other licensed providers.

How much time should I expect to spend on my IRH courses?

This completely depends on your level of comprehension and understanding of the principles covered in the Institute of Restorative Health courses. Those practitioners who are experienced with functional nutritional concepts typically find they need an average of 8-10 hours per week to review the materials, attend the calls, and successfully pass proficiency quizzes, the case study project, and final exams. Practitioners new to functional nutrition may need more time to fully comprehend and apply the advanced concepts presented in the course.

Please note: as with many advanced education courses, the time required typically increases towards the end of class when your case study project is due, and when studying for final exams.

What are the software requirements?

You must have reliable internet service to access the program. Our course is available to both PC and Mac users, and it is fully accessible on most tablets and iPads. We use the latest available technology to make our courses accessible, engaging, and interactive while being sensitive to all individual levels of computer proficiency.

System requirements:

Mac with OS 10.7 or later
PC with Windows 7 or later
Chrome, Safari, or Firefox browser, or Explorer 10 or later

Some states – such as New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island – do not permit the use of direct access testing. If I reside in one of these states, am I still able to partake in the Institute of Restorative Health courses?

We have students and alumni throughout all states. Because the Institute of Restorative Health is strictly an educational organization, the concepts presented can be applied anywhere. There are, however, some additional considerations regarding access to testing for non-licensed practitioners located in NY, NJ, and RI. Please contact us for more information if you reside in one of these states.

If I reside outside of the United States, am I able to partake in the Institute of Restorative Health courses?

We have students and alumni in 24 countries globally. Because the Institute of Restorative Health is strictly an educational organization, the concepts presented can be applied anywhere. There may, however, be some additional steps and restrictions regarding test access depending on what country you’re in. Please contact us for more information if you reside outside of the US.

Do I have to take each class in order?

Whether you are participating in The Core Curriculum or have selected the paced option of training, your starting point in the IRH educational journey is our hallmark course, Mastering the Art and Science of Gastrointestinal Healing.

From there, we recommend you attend Mastering the Art and Science of Nutritional Blood Chemistry, followed by Mastering the Art and Science of Optimizing Hormones. This is how we have set up our curriculum flow. That said, if you need to take a semester off, you are welcome to take whichever class is available the next semester. The curriculum has been designed for these two classes to be interchangeable in order.

After completing and passing The Core Curriculum or all three of these courses individually, you are invited to register for our capstone course: The Art and Science of Clinical Mastery.

Please schedule a call with our Admissions Team if you have additional questions.

contact admissions