Here are some of the most common questions health professionals ask about Lifestyle Medicine certification, along with clear answers to guide your next steps.
General information
Lifestyle medicine uses evidence-based lifestyle changes to prevent, treat, and often reverse chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Certified clinicians apply the six pillars – Optimal nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, connectedness and risky substance avoidance – for effective care and prevention. It is one of the fastest growing areas of medicine and works alongside conventional clinical medicine.
The International Board of Lifestyle Medicine (IBLM) sets global standards for credentialing physicians and advanced health professionals (Doctorate/Masters level) in evidence-based lifestyle medicine. IBLM certification signifies specialised knowledge and international recognition of competency in the field of Lifestyle Medicine. Certified professionals earn the post-nominal title Dip IBLM, reflecting their advanced knowledge and skills.
- Assessment method:
The IBLM certification involves a standardised, globally developed examination. Written by an international panel of experts, it ensures a rigorous and objective assessment of knowledge, with a focus on practical application. - Evidence-based standards:
The IBLM emphasises interventions supported by peer-reviewed research, making it the gold standard for evidence-based practice. - Global recognition:
IBLM certification is accepted internationally, including in the Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, UK, and the USA. The same exam is administered worldwide and translated into multiple languages. - Independent collaboration:
Educational content and CMEs are provided by independent, accredited organisations, ensuring diversity in preparation resources. - Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands Accessibility:
In Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands, IBLM partners with Doctors For Nutrition to support candidates, including hosting the Sydney-based exam on November 29th 2026.
The certification is open to licensed physicians and health professionals with advanced degrees:
- To certify as a Lifestyle Medicine Physician you must hold an MD, MBBS or equivalent degree
- To certify as a Lifestyle Medicine Professional, you must hold a Masters or Doctorate degree in a health or allied health discipline
If you are unsure about eligibility, please contact us.
Eligibility and prerequisite requirements
Please contact us with details of your qualifications, and we can discuss whether you are eligible to register and sit the exam.
Yes! Physicians can report on their own health benefits of implementing lifestyle medicine practices into their lives and record different metrics (blood results, blood pressure, weight, etc). You are also welcome to work with friends or family members. All case studies will remain confidential. It’s a way for you to reflect on what you have learned and also use techniques to implement new tools in practice. Health professionals do not need to complete a case study but are welcome to do so if they would like the practice of implementing tools in practice.
Not as long as you think! You need to provide proof of completing 30 hours of online course material and 20 hours of attending a live or online event. We recommend that you get started on your online learning (the ACLM Foundations of Lifestyle Medicine Board Review (NO CME/CE) is strongly recommended) sooner rather than later, to give yourself plenty of time to review the material. More information is available on our website.
The 50-hour commitment to complete our program is intentionally designed to be achievable for busy health professionals while still delivering rigorous, high-quality learning. In fact, compared with other programs that may require up to 80 hours, our streamlined approach focuses on the most clinically relevant, evidence-based content—so less time doesn’t mean less value. On the contrary, participants complete the program with a globally recognised certification that reflects both efficiency and excellence.
Yes! Any of our in-person events or online webinars that are no older than 36 months from the date they are held will be counted towards the 20 hours of live CME. For more information on other events that you can attend, head to our prerequisites page.
Yes it does! Just be sure to submit your proof of attendance prior to 8 December 2026.
Get your tickets today to attend DFN LM26 the day before the Lifestyle Medicine exam.
You can submit proof of attending an approved event CME at any time. We realise that the ACLM LM26 online and DFN LM26 are very close to the exam date. Proof of event CME needs to be submitted by 8 December 2026 for you to fully complete and pass the certification program.
Yes! Contrary to the wording displayed on the ACLM website, the Foundations of Lifestyle Medicine Board Review (NO CME/CE) course DOES count towards CME for the certification in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Exam information
Duration: Up to 4 hours
Number of Questions:
- 150 multiple-choice questions for Lifestyle Medicine physicians
- 120 multiple-choice questions for Lifestyle Medicine professionals
Question Standards: Written to NBME (National Board of Medical Examiners) standards
Format: Taken on your own Wi-Fi-enabled laptop or tablet
The IBLM exam tests knowledge of key lifestyle medicine competencies, including:
- Nutrition
- Physical activity
- Sleep health
- Emotional well-being and stress management
- Substance cessation
- Health behaviour change
- Positive psychology and social connections
- Personal health and community advocacy by practitioners
Emphasis is placed on both evidence-based interventions and practical application.
The full list of core competencies and their relative weighting can be found here.
Once you have enrolled and completed your prerequisites, you can study the downloadable manual supplied with the ACLM Foundations of Lifestyle Medicine Board Review (NO CME/CE) course. Some exam candidates also find it useful to purchase the ACLM Lifestyle Medicine Question Bank – a powerful tool for exam prep.
You should also attend the Doctors For Nutrition Lifestyle Medicine Conference before the exam to learn more about this global movement in healthcare and connect with like-minded people in the community.
Please note: the exam questions are rigorously developed by IBLM yearly and are not based on the study material outlined above. The questions are developed on the core competencies first published in JAMA in 2010, and now updated by the Lifestyle Medicine Global Alliance in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. For more information is available on the weightings and core competencies page on our website.
Exam date: 29 November 2026
Time: 10.00am – 2.00pm
Location:
University of Technology Sydney
Dr Chau Chak Wing
14 Ultimo Road, Ultimo
Sydney, NSW, Australia
CB08.02.002 Oval Classroom
Building 8, Level 2, Room 002
UTS Campus Orientation Guide | UTS Wayfinding Interactive Map
Exam registrations close: 15 November 2026
See exam process page for more information.
No. DFN will hold the exam at a different location each year, mostly in Australia’s major cities. This will usually coincide with an in-person event, giving you the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in lifestyle medicine, network with experts in the field, and be inspired by this powerful movement in medicine.
Not in Australia. As the global board‑certification body, the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine (IBLM) strives to standardise, verify, and protect the credibility of the credential across countries and professions. As a result, holding a proctored, in-person exam is imperative to ensure a rigorous and objective assessment of knowledge. The examination process avoids subjectivity that can occur with assignment-based testing. As a global certification, the IBLM aims to ensure that every candidate, regardless of location, takes the same exam under the same conditions.
We understand that unexpected circumstances can arise. The International Board of Lifestyle Medicine’s deferral and refund policy is as follows:
Year 1: You may defer your exam and continue studying/accruing CME credits, or request a refund of the amount paid, less the non-refundable registration fee.
Year 2: You may defer your exam, but refunds are no longer available.
Year 3: You must sit the exam. If you do not, your certification registration will expire and any fees paid will be forfeited.
With timely completion of the prerequisites and sufficient preparation using the question bank, the vast majority of candidates pass the exam on their first attempt. If you are unsuccessful, you may resit the exam within 12 months by paying only the registration fee (AU$299); the certification fee will be waived.
Pricing information
The price breakdown is as follows:
- Lifestyle Medicine Registration (via DFN)
- Licensed doctors/physicians – AU$1798
- Masters or Doctorate degree holders – AU$1498
– Interest-free fortnightly payment plan is available (until 20 September 2026)
– DFN members get 10% off
– Includes AU$299 non-refundable admin fee + IBLM exam fee
Recommended:
- ACLM Foundations of Lifestyle Medicine Board Review Course – US$499
- ACLM LM2026 Online – US$99 (discount code provided to all registrants) – saving of US$760
- Lifestyle Medicine Question Bank – US$199
We also recommend people attend our DFN LM26 conference the day prior to the exam – AU$249
Annual costs
IBLM Maintenance of Certification:
- Doctors/physicians – US$100
- Other health professionals – US$80
With all above costs taken into consideration, the IBLM certification through DFN is the most affordable lifestyle medicine qualification in Australia.
Pricing current as at June 2026.
Yes we do! But only until 20 September 2026.
Simply select the option to pay by instalments in the shopping cart.
The interest-free payment plan allows you to pay in four (4) equal instalments using your credit/debit card. It includes an initial payment and three (3) further fortnightly payments.
The 10% discount for DFN members is applied evenly across all four payments.
Please note that in order to process the full payment by the required date of 1 November, the payment plan option is only available until 20 September 2026.
The International Lifestyle Medicine Certification Program (IBLM) through DFN is the most affordable lifestyle medicine certification in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. There are some additional costs involved in completing prerequisites and travelling to the exam; however, even with these, our certification is still the most affordable option. Contact us if you’d like to discuss the latest date to register and pay fees for the exam
Possibly. If you choose to use the ACLM Foundations of Lifestyle Medicine Board Review (NO CME/CE) (strongly recommended), there is a cost of US$499. Likewise, if you attend the ACLM LM2026 Online conference virtually, there is a cost of US$99 (discount code is provided to exam candidates). Depending on where the exam is held, you may have some travel expenses to attend the exam. With all this taken into consideration, the International Lifestyle Medicine Certification Program through DFN continues to be the most affordable lifestyle medicine qualification in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, with other programs charging thousands of dollars more.
Please also see the ‘How do maintain my certification’ FAQ below, for ongoing annual costs.
First log in to your member account. Then visit the Certification Steps page and click the relevant enrol button. The certification will be added to your cart with your 10% member discount automatically applied. You can then proceed to checkout as usual.
Should you chose the interest-free payment plan (available until 20 September 2026), the 10% discount for DFN members is applied evenly across all four payments when paid by credit/debit card. It includes an initial payment and three further fortnightly payments.
No. Your certification fee includes registration for the exam, so there is no additional exam charge. The exam is offered once per year, typically towards the end of the year.
Yes! This will be supplied to all exam candidates towards the second half of the year. This code will allow you to watch the entire ACLM LM2026 Online conference virtually for only US$99.
You don’t need to watch the entire thing to obtain your prerequisites, just a total of at least 20 hours. When you log in and begin watching the sessions, live or recorded, select AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ to go towards the 20 hours of live CME.
In order to receive your certificate of completion, you must first fill in the General Conference Evaluation Survey. Once you have downloaded your certificate, please email it to us as proof of completing 20 hours of live CME.
Certification information
The International Board of Lifestyle Medicine offers two ways to maintain certification:
- Annual pathway (recommended): Sign up for the IBLM Maintenance of Certification (MOC) in the first three months after initial certification (prior to 31 March 2027), submit payment (US$100 for physicians and US$80 for health professionals) annually by March 31, read three assigned articles with quizzes each year, and complete 30 CME hours every five years. Or,
- Exam pathway: Re-sit the full exam after 10 years and pay the relevant exam/registration fee.
Note: The Maintenance of Certification annual pathway is priced at around half of what a full re-certification will cost every ten years. Prices vary depending on your location and will renew annually on January 1 each year.
For further information please contact Rebecca Deutsch, Certification Manager for the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine (ABLM).
Still unsure about your eligibility or the next steps?
We’re always happy to chat.
Join us and save!
Healthcare professionals who join our DFN membership program will receive 10% off the Lifestyle Medicine Certification enrolment.
→ Not currently a member? Click ‘JOIN US!’ as a Healthcare Professional member.
→ Click ‘LOGIN’ to login to your DFN membership – then come back to this page and click the relevant ‘ENROL NOW’ button. Your discount will automatically apply.
→ Otherwise, click ‘ENROL NOW’ above the relevant qualification to create an account and pay for the certification without joining.
