Expected Learning for IPEC Sponsored Certified Intimacy Professionals


  • Intimacy Choreography for Stage and/or Screen
  • The Interplay of Power Dynamics and Consent, and Creating Consent Culture
  • Trauma-Informed Creative Practices
  • Movement / Choreography as Story-telling
  • Mental Health First Aid certification
  • Anti-Racism / Anti-Oppression / Anti-Othering
  • Gender, Sexuality, and Sex Education, including Anti-Harassment
  • Fat Liberation / Body Inclusivity
  • Disability, Neurodiversity, and Accessibility
  • Communication, Advocacy, and/or Conflict Resolution
  • Cultural Competency
  • Boundary Practices
  • Closure Practices
  • Other trainings/study/experience for the specific media and/or genre in which the Intimacy Professional works
  • Understanding that a Background Check is required by SAG/AFTRA for ICs wishing to be added to the registry. We recommend these from Checkr (around $30); ClearHire (around $25) to be added to your final packet.


Expect questions from your Review Panel on your ethos based on being a professional that values being People First, Radically Accessible practices, Dynamic Education, Transformative Accountability, and Community Driven.

Steps in the Certification Application Process at IPEC

  1. Complete a draft version of the Certification Application here. (this does not require your letters of recommendation). Once this is submitted, move to step 2.
  2. Complete your Certification Personal Advising Form here. IPEC requires a PAA session prior to certification panels in order to ensure your readiness for the interview and accountability process that are required for IPEC-certified Intimacy Professionals.
  3. A "Certification PAA" is required of anyone who wishes to apply for certification. This should be booked AFTER you feel you have met the minimum certification requirements (75+ hours of training in SAG-AFTRA accreditation subjects, training and practice in IPEC's values, and at least 5 professional credits). 
  4. Cert PAAs are not meant for students who know they still need training and/or experience. 
  5. After your form is submitted, you will receive an email to pay for and schedule your session.
  6. During your Cert PAA, you will either be given a Personal Advising Plan on how to address needs in your application before moving on to the Certification Application, or be told you are ready to apply for certification.
  7. When you are ready to apply for certification, return to this page, to submit.
  8. Please do this only after your Certification PAA.

To Complete the Application:

We recommend using the "Preview the Application" button above to see the full application, and then prepare your materials in another document, so you are able to complete the application in 1 session, without concerns for whether or not your email provider has saved your progress.

If you look at the Application and feel that you do not yet meet the Certification Minimum Requirements (75+ hours in SAG-AFTRA accredited subjects, alignment and practice in IPEC's values, and at least 5 professional credits), please book a "Welcome PAA", so you can plan your learning journey to certification.

Please note: the links in the Preview Application do not work, as it is only a preview. Please access the links from the Full Application.

IPEC requires a PAA session prior to applying for certification, in order to ensure your readiness for the interview and accountability process that are required for IPEC-certified Intimacy Professionals. Please schedule your PAA here.

If you have questions, please use the form below.


Certification Timeline update as of July 1, 2026:

  • Sept 27 & 28
  • Applications submitted by August 15 will be reviewed for this panel slot.
  • October 25 & 26
  • Applications submitted by September 15 will be reviewed for this panel slot.
  • This is the last application and review period for 2026.


Note Regarding Payment


PLEASE DO NOT PAY FOR YOUR CERTIFICATION BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION.

PLEASE COMPLETE AND SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION, AND WAIT FOR AN EMAIL FROM IPEC REQUESTING YOUR PAYMENT


Choose a Pricing Option

Questions Prior to Submission?

Please fill out the form below to help if you are not ready to fully submit.

Frequently Asked Questions


What if I do the process and don't get certified?

You may encounter this in the process at 2 points:

  1. Your application is reviewed and does not meet the minimum training requirements. You will receive an email from IPEC requesting more information, and clarifying next steps. Since you don't need to pay until your interview is scheduled, no refund should be needed at this point.
  2. You interview with your panel and they determine more study or experience is needed. You will receive an email from IPEC stating the panel's decision and clarifying next steps. Your panel and IPEC will suggest a plan of study or professional experience for you, that will be needed in order to reapply. These plans are different for each candidate. Courses, mentorship hours, or gather experience may be required. Some of these do have a charge.

As stated in Teachable's Terms of Use, Coaching IS NOT covered by Teachable's 30-day student refund policy.


How do I schedule my appointment?

Once you have submitted your full application, it will go through an approval process to ensure you have filled it out completely, then you will be schedulde with your review panel from our Certification Board.


Why is IPEC Sponsored Certification Different?
  1. You don't have to go through our entire course to submit for certification. You don't even need to take a single class with us. We realize there are many avenues into this work.
  2. IPEC Certified Intimacy Professionals have training & experience with a specific point of view of what the job is in regards to: Gender & Sexuality, Intersectionality & Anti-Racism, Nonviolent Communication, Bystander Intervention, Healing and Apology, Choreography and Movement Modality, and Experience with the nuts and bolts of the job.
  3. IPEC Certified Intimacy Professionals value being Community Driven, understand that we put our Humanity Forward, are Transformatively Accountable, believe that education & learning is dynamic, and believe in Radical Accessibility.
  4. We believe that when we all invest, we move this art form forward. We're happy you are here.
Have more questions?

Check out our Certification FAQs.