Resources & Frequently Asked Questions

Membership

Why do I need to become a member of Washington’s AIMH?

The Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health requires that all endorsed professionals are a member of the Association for Infant Mental Health within their own state (or, are a member of the World Association for Infant Mental Health, WAIMH). You will be asked to renew your membership each year by December 31, when you complete your annual endorsement renewal.

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Endorsement Process

How long does it take to go through the Endorsement process?

It varies. Some applicants begin and complete the process in two weeks, and some may take up to a year or more. The length of time depends on multiple factors, such as – how many requirements are completed before the start of the application, whether or not the applicant has received reflective supervision before beginning the process, how much time and how often the applicant works on the application, whether or not the applicant is required to take the exam, etc. You can discuss the timeline with us before beginning the process.

How is the review process conducted?

After you submit and pay the processing fee, two application reviewers will look over your application. They will go through your application to check your competencies and ensure you meet endorsement requirements. If any feedback is given regarding your application, your endorsement coordinator will reach out to you to let you know to amend your application before re-reviewing. If you are approved, you will receive a congratulatory email followed by an official certificate and letter.

Can I have access to my reference rating forms?

Applicants cannot see the forms themselves, but if you do not waive your right to know their contents and you are deferred for some reason related to the reference ratings, we or your reference(s) will relay the reasons for the deferral to you.

What is an Advisory Review?

Applicants can receive an initial advisory review to guide them through the Endorsement process. The review will provide you with feedback and support in completing your application and documenting all of the requirements prior to submitting.

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Training and Education

I have attended well over 30 hours of in service training; should I submit every training I ever attended?

Although the minimum requirement is 30 hours, we expect Endorsement applicants to add enough training hours to demonstrate the competencies they’ve developed through their careers. We recommend that you use the Competency Guidelines® to help you decide what trainings and how many hours to add. Once you’ve met the minimum requirements and captured the competencies, you do not need to add any more training hours.

What happens to my Endorsement if I do not renew?

​If you are unable to renew your endorsement based on not meeting the required renewal hours for training and RSC, you can reach out to our Endorsement Coordinators and discuss other options. If you choose not to renew because you are no longer interested in Endorsement or did not renew by the deadline, your application will be moved to Inactive, you will be removed from the Endorsement registry, and you will no longer be able to use IMH-E® or IECMH-E® behind your name. 

How far back can I go when including trainings that meet the criteria for endorsement?

There is no limit on how long ago the training was attended to be counted towards requirements. However, it is not necessary to submit a comprehensive list of every training ever attended. Your entries should reflect a breadth and depth that demonstrate IECMH competencies.

Are there any trainings, conferences or courses that are mandatory while working toward endorsement?

Trainings do not need to be sponsored by Washington’s AIMH to be eligible or count towards endorsement. Many trainings you attend for your license or agency requirements qualify towards endorsement. A specialized training that is eligible for Endorsement should meet the following criteria:

• It is culturally responsive, relationship-focused, and promotes Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
• It relates to one or more of the competencies in the Competency Guidelines®
• It is specific to the Endorsement for which you are applying

What is the difference between the specialized work experiences that meet the criteria for IFS and IMHS?

Infant Family Specialist (IFS) work experience is typically broader and encompasses many of the ways the applicants might work with infant and toddler families, including case management, part C service coordination, parent education, and family support.

Infant Mental Health Specialist (IMHS) work experiences are often (but not always) home-based and include the following interventions: advocacy, developmental guidance, emotional support, concrete assistance, and parent-infant/very young child relationship-based therapies and practices. These therapies and practices are intended to explore issues related to attachment, separation, trauma, and unresolved losses as they affect the development, behavior, and care of the infant/very young child. The therapies and practices may include but are not limited to parent-infant psychotherapy, interaction guidance, and child-parent psychotherapy.

Does work experience with pregnant women and families count towards the work experience requirements for IFS and IMHS?

Yes, working with pregnant women and families counts towards the required work experience for IFS and IMHS. However, the applicant’s work experience must also include work with infants, toddlers, and their families.

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Reflective Supervision/Consultation

What are the requirements for Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RSC)?

• Infant Family Associate: No RSC requirement; however, we recommend that all IMH professionals seek RSC.
• Infant Family Specialist: Must receive at least 24 hours of supervision within a 12 month to 24 month time period while working with infants, toddlers, & families and/or while providing supervision to staff who are providing services to infants, young children (0 to 36 months) and their families.
• Infant Family Reflective Supervisor: Must receive a minimum of 24 hours within a 12 month to 24 month time period while working with infants, toddlers, & families.  At least 12 hours should be about the RSC that the applicant provides to others.
• Infant Mental Health Specialist: Receive a minimum of 50 clock hours of RSC within a 12 month to 24 month time period while working with infants, toddlers, & families. 
• Infant Mental Health Mentor- Clinical: Receive a minimum of 50 hours within a 12 month to 24 month time period while working with infants, toddlers, & families.  At least 25 hours of the RSC should be about the RSC that the applicant provides to others.
• Infant Mental Health Mentor- Policy: not required to receive RSC
• Infant Mental Health Mentor- Research/Faculty: not required to receive RSC

Are there rules around who I can receive RSC from?

Yes, a provider of Reflective Supervision/Consultation must be Endorsed at the qualifying category. Reach out to our Endorsement Coordinators to find out who qualifies as a provider for your category. Beginning January 2023, all endorsees and new Endorsement applicants are required to receive all RSC hours from an Endorsed provider in order to meet the requirements for Endorsement. 

Can I receive reflective supervision from someone who is not endorsed?

Beginning January 2023, Washington’s AIMH can no longer recognize vetted status, and all RSC providers must be endorsed for the hours to count towards Endorsement. We are currently reviewing this requirement in the hopes of making Endorsement more equitable and accessible. Please feel free to reach out to us for more information.

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Endorsement Exam

What do I need to know about the exam?

You will receive resources and logistical information about the exam after you are approved to sit for it. The exam has two sections: multiple choice and essay. There are 60 questions in the multiple-choice section and 1 -2 essays (depending on your level and sub-designation: Clinical, Research/Faculty, Policy) in the essay section. You will have 90 minutes to complete each section; you are allotted 3 hours for the whole exam. The Center for Early Relational Health will cover the testing center fee the first time you take the exam and you will be responsible for payment for any retakes.

What happens if I don’t pass the exam?

Applicants must submit a written request to retake the exam at least eight weeks before the exam is scheduled to be administered. The request should be sent to our Endorsement Coordinators. Whether retaking Part One, Part Two, or both, applicants must wait at least one year before retaking the exam.

What primary topics are covered in the multiple-choice portion of the test?

The multiple-choice questions relate to the competencies’ knowledge and skill areas, as indicated in the Competency Guidelines.

How should I study for the exam?

Reach out to our Endorsement Coordinators to receive documents to assist in preparing for the Endorsement Exam.

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After Endorsement

How do I keep my Endorsement current?

You will need to renew your endorsement annually. The following is required annually:

• 15 clock hours of training related to culturally responsive, relationship-focused practice promoting infant and early childhood mental health
• 12 clock hours of reflective supervision/consultation (RSC) for IFS, IMHS, IMHM-Clinical, facilitated by an Endorsed RSC provider. If you have questions, please contact our Endorsement Coordinators.
• Submit the $35 Endorsement renewal fee.
• Membership with Washington’s AIMH or another infant mental health association

What happens to my Endorsement if I do not renew?

In order to maintain Endorsement you must renew annually, documenting all requirements. If you are not able to meet all the requirements, you may apply for Inactive Status. Once you are able to meet the requirements you may go from Inactive back to Endorsed. If you do not renew, are unable to meet the requirements, and choose not to go Inactive, you will be removed from the registry.

How do I indicate that I have earned Endorsement?

The IMH-E or ECMH-E mark indicates that a person has earned an Endorsement. The use of the registered trademark is important whenever possible to distinguish it from other systems of “endorsement.”

Example:
Sam Miles, MSW, IMH-E®
Infant Family Specialist

I can’t find my certificate; how do I obtain a new one?

Please email our Endorsement Coordinators for assistance.

What happens to my Endorsement if I move to a different state?

There are 33 other states with Endorsement, and more are in the process of licensing it. If you move to one of these states, you will be transferred to their Registry and will renew with them from then on.