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Accreditation & RPL

Organisational Accreditation

As the international peak body, INFTA constantly expands the network of research institutes, government partners and organisations promoting Forest Therapy as an effective, evidence-based Public health approach. Thus, if you wish to get full accreditation for your research institute, government department or organisation, please contact us. Similarly, your organisation can become an INFTA-Accredited Training Provider to conduct the INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide training according to the International Core Curriculum of Forest Therapy (ICCFT). The ICCFT has been designed, evaluated and validated by 120+ experts from over 20 countries in 2017. For more details regarding the ICCFT, see the International Handbook of Forest Therapy (Kotte, Li, Shin & Michalsen [eds] 2019).

Individual Accreditation / Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Applications are now open to suitably qualified candidates who wish to become an INFTA-Certified and Accredited Forest Therapy Guide through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). INFTA’s RPL program formally recognises a Forest Therapy Guide’s suitability based on existing certification, competencies, skills and abilities towards the achievement of an internationally-recognised qualification in the area of Forest Therapy.

Application prerequisites:

  • You have successfully completed training as a Forest Therapy Guide (minimum of six-month training and practicum)
  • You have conducted guided Forest Therapy sessions recently in a self-employed, contracted or fully employed capacity.
  • Your qualifications will be assessed against the requirements of the International Core Curriculum of Forest Therapy (ICCFT). The ICCFT has been designed, evaluated and validated by 120+ experts from over 20 countries in 2017. For more details regarding the ICCFT, see the International Handbook of Forest Therapy (Kotte, Li, Shin & Michalsen [eds] 2019).
  • RPL will require you to submit a portfolio of evidence including but not limited to verified certificates, third-party reports and proof of the recent conduct of Forest Therapy walks.
  • A final interview with INFTA will be conducted to complete the application formalities.
  • Once the completed application, payment and required evidence is received by INFTA, the RPL process should take no more than one month to be finalized.

How to apply:

  • To start the application process, please submit the INFTA RPL Application Form below. We will then invoice you to pay the RPL fee.
  • The RPL fee is USD 500. No refunds will be made should you withdraw your application during the RPL process or in case of an unsuccessful outcome of your application.
  • Successful applicants will be awarded full certification with INFTA.
  • Successful applicants should maintain accreditation with INFTA through the Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
  • Your credentials will be included on the international INFTA Network map.
  • You have successfully completed training as a Forest Therapy Guide (minimum of six-months training and practicum) or you have partially completed the training to become an INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide but did not finish it
  • You have conducted guided Forest Therapy sessions recently in a self-employed, contracted or fully employed capacity.
  • Your qualifications will be assessed against the requirements of the International Core Curriculum of Forest Therapy (ICCFT). The ICCFT has been designed, evaluated and validated by 120+ experts from over 20 countries in 2017. For more details regarding the ICCFT, see the International Handbook of Forest Therapy (Kotte, Li, Shin & Michalsen [eds] 2019).
  • RPL will require you to submit a portfolio of evidence including but not limited to verified certificates, third-party reports and proof of the recent conduct of Forest Therapy walks.
  • A final interview with INFTA may be conducted to complete the application formalities.
  • Once the completed application, payment and required evidence is received by INFTA, the RPL process should take no more than one month to be finalized.

The RPL fee is US$ 500.00 (US Dollars five-hundred).

Please complete and submit the Application/Order form. You can then pay easily by credit card.

Payment processing via Stripe® is in real-time and should take less than a minute. Once you have submitted your Application/Order, please
leave your browser open to ensure proper processing of your payment. When your payment has been processed successfully, you will receive a confirmation email from Stripe®.

Once your payment has been credited to our account, INFTA or an INFTA-Accredited Training Provider will evaluate your request for RPL. This formal evaluation is usually completed within one month. The evaluation is solely within the discretion of our designated curricular expert/experts.
 

No refunds will be made should you withdraw your application during the RPL process, in case of an unsuccessful outcome of your application or if you are not in agreement with the outcome of the RPL assessment by INFTA or its Accredited Training Provider. There is no provision for an appeals process.

Application / Order Form - Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Your Name
Date of birth
(applicants from outside Australia please select 'other')
Which professional licences and insurance policies do you hold currently as part of your own Forest Therapy business/company?
Please tick all that apply. Please note that INFTA reserves the right to inspect the relevant licences and insurance policies which you are required to have to conduct guided Forest Therapy walks.
Please list the exact certificate/title.
Please give the full name, address and contact details of the organisation/company/institute.
When did you obtain your qualification as Forest Therapy Guide?
Please leave blank if you have not yet received a formal qualification, otherwise please specify the date.
Please select the appropriate number of instructional hours (instructional hours comprise face-to-face tuition, mentored lessons as well as required self-study).
Please select the appropriate number of face-to-face instruction (online sessions, e.g. via Zoom or Skype do not count).
Please select the appropriate number. Guided Forest Therapy walks must contain a minimum of four participants. Forest Therapy walks in which you only assisted and did not actively guide do not count.
Forest Therapy event no. 1
Please list the location (left field), number of participants (middle field) and the date (right field, date format: dd.mm.yyyy).
Forest Therapy event no. 2
Please list the location (left field), number of participants (middle field) and the date (right field, date format: dd.mm.yyyy).
Forest Therapy event no. 3
Please list the location (left field), number of participants (middle field) and the date (right field, date format: dd.mm.yyyy).
Forest Therapy event no. 4
Please list the location (left field), number of participants (middle field) and the date (right field, date format: dd.mm.yyyy).
Forest Therapy event no. 5
Please list the location (left field), number of participants (middle field) and the date (right field, date format: dd.mm.yyyy).
Forest Therapy event no. 6
Please list the location (left field), number of participants (middle field) and the date (right field, date format: dd.mm.yyyy).
Forest Therapy event no. 7
Please list the location (left field), number of participants (middle field) and the date (right field, date format: dd.mm.yyyy).
Forest Therapy event no. 8
Please list the location (left field), number of participants (middle field) and the date (right field, date format: dd.mm.yyyy).
Forest Therapy event no. 9
Please list the location (left field), number of participants (middle field) and the date (right field, date format: dd.mm.yyyy).
Forest Therapy event no. 10
Please list the location (left field), number of participants (middle field) and the date (right field, date format: dd.mm.yyyy).
Your response should not exceed 300 words.
Please type your full name again for verification.
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