Endorsement® Policies

Annual Renewal of MI-AIMH Endorsement® Requirements

In order to renew IMH-Endorsement^®or ECMH-Endorsement^® at the end of the three year cycle, the following is required:

On-going membership in MI-AIMH or another IMH association
45 clock hours of training related to culturally-sensitive, relationship-focused practice promoting infant mental health. If you are a provider of RSC, at least 3 hours of the 45 hours required need to be about the provision of RSC
36 clock hours of RSC annually for professionals endorsed at IFS, ECFS, IMHS, ECMHS, IMHM-C, and ECMH-C

If you earn Endorsement® partway through a three-year renewal cycle, your training and Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RSC) requirements, if applicable, will be prorated based on the time remaining in the cycle. Your specific renewal requirements will be outlined in your Endorsement® congratulations letter.

*This renewal requirement applies to all IFS, IMHS and IMHM-C professionals, regardless of when Endorsement^® was originally earned except I/ECMHM-C professionals who has earned and maintained I/ECMHM-C for a minimum of 3-years (they are required to receive a minimum of 10-hours of RSC annually; peer supervision or collaborative consultation (with those endorsed at the same category) annually).

Reinstatement if Endorsement® Lapses

If you do not renew your MI-AIMH membership and/or complete your applicable Endorsement® renewal requirements by the January 31 deadline, you will receive email reminders throughout February. If your renewal requirements remain incomplete, your Endorsement® will become inactive. Your name will be removed from the Endorsement Registry, and you may no longer use the IMH-E® or ECMH-E® credential until your Endorsement® is reinstated.

If removed from the Endorsement® Registry, a professional must:

- Log into EASy
- Ensure your MI-AIMH membership is current in EASy
- Agree to ethics
- Add at least 15 hours of training completed within the last year
- Add at least 12 hours of reflective supervision/consultation within the last year for Family Specialist, Mental Health Specialist, and Mental Health Mentor Clinical

Applying for MI-AIMH Endorsement® as an Out of State Applicant

MI-AIMH accepts Endorsement® applications from professionals who reside in Michigan. If you live outside Michigan and are interested in pursuing Endorsement®, visit the IECMH International Institute to find a participating association in your state or region.

MI-AIMH Endorsement Exam Dates, Locations, Capacity, and Special Accommodations

Dates and Location

The Endorsement® examination is offered virtually through Zoom and is administered by MI-AIMH. Once your application has been approved and you are eligible to take the exam, you will receive information about scheduling. Exam dates and times are coordinated individually to accommodate applicants’ availability.

Accommodations for the Exam

MI-AIMH is committed to making the Endorsement® examination process accessible and responsive to applicants’ individual needs. If you need an accommodation for either part of the examination, please contact the MI-AIMH Endorsement Coordinator as early as possible, preferably at least eight weeks before your anticipated exam date. Your request should describe the accommodation you need. The Endorsement Coordinator will work with you to review your request, discuss available options, and coordinate reasonable accommodations while maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of the exam process.

MI-AIMH Endorsement® Exam Scores, Feedback, Retakes, and Decision Reviews

Applicants must receive a passing score on both parts of the Endorsement® examination to earn the applicable credential.

Part One: Multiple-Choice Examination: A passing score on Part One is 80%. To protect the confidentiality and integrity of the examination, applicants will not receive feedback about specific questions or answers.

Part Two: Written Responses: Part Two is evaluated by trained exam reviewers. Applicants who do not receive a passing score will be provided with feedback based on the reviewers’ observations.

Examination feedback is intended to support learning and professional development. Depending on the examination outcome, applicants may receive feedback from exam reviewers and, when applicable, application reviewers. This feedback can help identify strengths, areas for continued growth, and opportunities for specialized training and Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RSC).

If you do not pass one or both parts of the examination, you will receive information about next steps and opportunities to retake the applicable portion.

Retakes

If you do not receive a passing score on one or both parts of the Endorsement® examination, you may retake the portion(s) you did not pass after six months. The MI-AIMH Endorsement Coordinator will work with you to schedule your retake and provide information about next steps.

Review of an Exam Decision

Part Two of the Endorsement® examination (written responses) is evaluated by trained exam reviewers. At least two reviewers must agree on whether an applicant has met the passing requirements. Examination decisions are final and cannot be appealed. As outlined in the Endorsement® Agreement signed by all applicants, “The decision of MI-AIMH concerning whether or not endorsement will be granted is final and binding.”

Applicants who do not receive a passing score will receive feedback to support their continued professional growth and may retake the portion(s) they did not pass after six months.

Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RSC)

Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RSC) is a relationship-based approach to professional support that creates space to reflect on the experiences, relationships, and emotions that arise when working with or on behalf of infants, young children, and families. Unlike supervision that focuses primarily on tasks, case management, or problem-solving, RSC invites professionals to slow down, explore their experiences, and consider how their thoughts, feelings, and responses may influence their work.

A central component of RSC is the parallel process, which recognizes that relationships influence one another. The relationship between a professional and their supervisor or consultant can reflect and influence the relationships between the professional and the families they support.

Through RSC, professionals have opportunities to:

Explore the emotional experiences and challenges that arise in their work.
Reflect on how their own experiences, perspectives, and responses may influence their interactions with children, families, and colleagues.
Develop greater self-awareness and strengthen relationship-focused practice.
Consider different perspectives and discover new insights rather than being given immediate solutions.
Experience a supportive, trusting relationship that promotes ongoing professional and personal growth.

The reflective supervisor or consultant supports this process through attentive listening, curiosity, thoughtful questions, and a willingness to allow space for reflection.

Effective January 1, 2025, Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RSC) must be provided by a professional who holds Infant Mental Health Mentor–Clinical (IMHM-C) or Endorsed Reflective Supervisor (ERS) to count toward Endorsement® requirements. RSC hours received before January 1, 2025, from a provider endorsed as an Infant Mental Health Specialist (IMHS) will continue to count as qualified hours toward Endorsement®.

Peer consultation, in which colleagues meet without an identified reflective supervisor or consultant guiding the process, can be a valuable source of professional connection and support. However, peer consultation does not meet the RSC requirements for Endorsement®, even when one or more participants hold an Endorsement credential. For RSC to count toward Endorsement®, there must be an identified qualified reflective supervisor or consultant who holds responsibility for facilitating the reflective process, including attending to and helping hold the emotional experiences that emerge in the work.

If you are looking for a qualified RSC provider, visit the MI-AIMH IMH Faculty Registry to explore potential providers.

If you have questions about RSC requirements for your Endorsement® category, please contact the MI-AIMH Endorsement Coordinator. We’re here to help!