Partial Academic Pathway

Preparing health professions students for lifestyle medicine certification

Master’s and doctoral health professions programs can help their students achieve lifestyle medicine certification by becoming approved as a Partial Academic Pathway. To qualify, programs must include one university-level lifestyle medicine course that covers at least 25 percent of the Interdisciplinary Lifestyle Medicine Core Competencies published in 2022. Upon successful completion of the course, students earn a waiver for the 20-hour event CME prerequisite for the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine certification exam.

Health professions programs eligible for this opportunity include nursing, physician associate, nurse practitioner, dietitian, occupational therapy, physical therapy, public health, and others.

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How to Apply

Step 1: Download and complete the core competencies checklist

To qualify for the Partial Academic Pathway, a course must meet the following criteria:

  • Twenty-two (22) of the lifestyle medicine core competencies must be met within the course
    • One competency must be from the Nutrition Science, Assessment and Prescription domain
    • One competency must be from the Physical Activity Science, Assessment, and Prescription domain

Completing the required Core Competencies Checklist will help ensure your course meets these requirements.

Step 2: Complete the Partial Academic Pathway application

Complete the Partial Academic Pathway Application. Note that to submit the application, you’ll need to upload the completed competencies checklist and the course syllabus.

Rolling Application Deadline: Please apply at least 30 days before the start of the course.

About the Lifestyle Medicine Core Competencies

The lifestyle medicine core competencies, developed by a committee of physicians from several medical specialties, provide guidance on the knowledge and skills needed for physicians to provide high quality lifestyle interventions that optimize chronic disease outcomes. These competencies form the foundation for the lifestyle medicine board certification exam. Originally published in 2010, the competencies were updated in 2022 to reflect the growing evidence base in the field. Regular updates are anticipated to align with the ongoing scientific studies and evolution of the field.

Integrating Lifestyle Medicine into Health Professionals Curricula

The following webinars showcase how various health professions programs have successfully integrated lifestyle medicine into their curricula, equipping students with the skills and knowledge to combat the burden of chronic disease in their future practices. Special thanks to the dedicated faculty who took the time to share their experiences.

In this video-podcast, Occupational Therapists Zipporah Brown, Amy Sadek, and Shelly Norvell discuss how they utilize lifestyle medicine in their practice. Topics include:

  • The connection between lifestyle medicine and occupational therapy
  • How to implement lifestyle medicine competencies within OT education
  • Instructional strategies tailored to integrate the principles of lifestyle medicinie within OT curriculum

Listen in as Physician Associates (Assistants) Sarah-Ann Keyes, Amber Tiegen, Adrian Banning, Paula Phelps, and Emily Landis discuss their journeys of integrating lifestyle medicine curriculum, address the barriers to integration along with practical solutions and ways to find support. Topics include:

  • Prep for teaching LM
  • Resources
  • How to start with no funding
  • The role of funding
  • Opportunities in the ACLM
  • Dreaming Bigger
  • Common Challenges
  • LM Integration into curriculum
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Opportunities are available nationwide for students interested in integrating lifestyle medicine into their practice.

Certification in Lifestyle Medicine

Certification

“My training and board certification in lifestyle medicine changed my life and practice, personally and professionally. Whole food plant centered eating, culinary medicine cooking classes and long-term coaching support are the key for patients to achieve success with sustained weight loss, longevity and feeling great! Passing the board certification exam legitimized my expertise in my professional world and created fabulous opportunities to expand my career. I am grateful to be a part of the lifestyle medicine family and the ACLM! Go for it!” ~  OB-Gyn, DO, DipABLM – Georgia, USA.

In Person & Online

Save the Date  |  November 16 – 19, 2025
The Gaylord Texan, Dallas/Fort Worth

Every Fall, ACLM hosts the premier continuing education event focused on lifestyle medicine – the therapeutic dose of proper nutrition, regular physical activity, social connection, restorative sleep, stress management, and avoidance of risky substances.