Last Updated: September 2025
We know you’re not just looking at FDN. And honestly? That’s smart.
With over 25 functional health programs out there charging anywhere from $2,000 to $17,000, you should absolutely do your homework before investing in any certification. We’ve been in this space for 15+ years, and we’ve seen too many people make expensive mistakes by choosing based on slick marketing and pricing rather than what actually fits their goals.
We obviously think FDN is a great choice (we wouldn’t be doing this otherwise), but we also know it’s not right for everyone. Maybe you don’t need lab access. Maybe you’re more interested in general wellness coaching. Maybe you’re a licensed professional who needs something different entirely.
So here’s our honest take on the major programs out there – including what FDN does well, what we don’t do, and when you might want to look elsewhere. Because at the end of the day, we’d rather you choose the right program for your situation than choose us for the wrong reasons.
Your certification choice determines who you can help, what you can charge, and whether you’ll actually get results for people. Let’s make sure you get it right.
Red Flags That Should Make You Run
Okay, before we get into the weeds, can we talk about the red flags? We’ve seen too many people get burned by these warning signs:
Get-rich claims: “$10K in your first month,” countdown timers, pressure tactics.
Opaque scope: Vague about what you can legally do or how labs are accessed.
Hidden costs: Surprise fees for exams, labs, or “graduation packages.”
No post-grad support: No mentorship, case review, or business help.
Instructor credibility: Limited proof of real-world practice.
What Do You Actually Want to Do?
Here’s the thing – most people choose based on what sounds impressive rather than what they actually want to do every day. Let’s get real about this.
Option A: You Want to Play Health Detective – Jump to: Lab-Focused Programs
You’re fascinated by figuring out why someone feels terrible when their doctor says “everything’s normal.” You want to dig into lab results and create targeted protocols for specific health issues.
- This is for people who genuinely enjoy technical stuff and don’t mind ongoing education
- Fair warning: it requires comfort with complexity and dedication to learning
Option B: You Want to Coach People Through Changes – Jump to: Coaching Programs
You’re more interested in helping people stick to healthy habits, work through mindset blocks, and make sustainable lifestyle changes.
- Perfect if you’re naturally good at motivation and behavioral change
- Reality check: this is a crowded field that requires serious marketing skills
Option C: You Mainly Want to Figure Out Your Own Health – Jump to: Budget/Intro Programs
Maybe help family and friends, but your primary goal is understanding your own issues.
- Honestly? You might not need a full certification program, maybe you could work with a practitioner
- You will need to be willing to put the work in and learn new principles
The Lab Access Reality (This Is Important)
Many programs teach lab theory without giving you a compliant path to order tests or integrate results into care. That’s like learning to drive without keys.
Your realistic paths are:
- You hold a medical license: You can order most labs directly within scope.
- Medical director model: Some programs enable non-licensed practitioners to order a defined menu of tests through a medical director.
- Referral partnership: Work with licensed providers or lab companies that order on your client’s behalf.
- Education only: You learn interpretation concepts but cannot order labs.
Always verify what “lab access” means in practice, including where you live.
Let’s Talk Money (Because Everyone’s Thinking It)
Income varies widely and depends more on offer design, pricing, and marketing than credentials. Factors that move results: clear niche, premium packaging, a repeatable method, referral systems, and sold-out calendars. Treat any income examples as case studies, not guarantees.
Here’s what has been shown:
- New health coaches: Usually $30,000-50,000 if they’re actually making it work
- Experienced wellness coaches: $50,000-75,000 for those who’ve figured out marketing
- Functional practitioners with lab access: $75,000-150,000+ is possible, but not guaranteed
- Licensed professionals: Totally depends on whether you’re stuck in insurance land or can go cash-pay
Look, you can have the best education in the world, but if you can’t actually apply it or market yourself, you’re going to struggle. Business and marketing skills often matter more than which letters come after your name. Our hot take…the letters don’t matter to your client, the ability to get results does.
The Programs (Honest Analysis)
For People Who Already Have Medical Licenses
Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM)
- Cost: $13,000-17,000
- Time: 1-3 years if you want to do it right
What it does well: If you want other doctors to take you seriously, this is still the gold standard. Hospitals know this certification, and that matters if you’re trying to work within the medical system. The curriculum is solid too – they actually keep up with new research instead of teaching outdated protocols.
What’s challenging: Significant investment in both time and money, and might be overkill if you’re not in a clinical setting.
Who should consider this: Licensed practitioners who want credibility with medical colleagues and have the budget for the investment.
Kresser Institute ADAPT
- Cost: Premium pricing in the $12,000-15,000 range
- Time: 12-month intensive
What it does well:The cohort model is actually pretty smart – you learn with a small group and get real accountability. Chris Kresser knows his stuff, and they use real patient cases instead of theoretical nonsense. The ancestral health angle is unique if that’s your thing.
What’s challenging: It’s seriously time-intensive and assumes you already have an active practice to work with.
Who should consider this: Licensed practitioners who want intensive, hands-on training and are into the ancestral health approach.
For Non-Licensed People Who Want Lab Access
This is where it gets interesting, because most programs in this category are selling you half a solution.
Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN)
- Cost: $11,497 (choose from payment plans starting at $590/month)
- Time: 4-10 months with actual mentorship
What it does well: One of the few programs that provide lab ordering capability for non-licensed practitioners through a medical director model. Not just education about labs – actual access through our Medical Director Program for you and all your clients. You run 5 functional labs on yourself during training, which gives you real experience as well as building your own health. Protocols included are well-taught, all natural, drug free “lifestyle medicine” solutions you get to start on yourself. The mentorship is comprehensive – 12 one-on-one sessions with practitioners who’ve actually worked with clients and have unparalleled clinical experience. FDN is well-known for ongoing support during (and after) the certification period. Time-honored, proven methodology allows you to niche with any client type, no matter their complaints – you have a repeatable system that works and gives you the ability to identify multiple healing opportunities and rebuild health. The strongest alumni in the business.
What’s challenging: We teach a strong foundational approach using five core functional labs and all the science that goes with them, then offer advanced courses (like Organic Acids testing) to expand from there. Some people may prefer a broader range of labs upfront. The business training is specific to implementing FDN – onboarding secrets, pricing, package creation, and how-to build referral-based practices – which may be unnecessary if you’re adding to an existing practice that already has these systems in place. Also, you actually have to earn your certification through an examination process – this isn’t a program where you just check boxes and get a certificate. You’ll need to demonstrate competency to receive your credentials.
Who should consider this: You want to actually run labs on clients (not just talk about them), you appreciate having a proven methodology and large community of peers, you’re willing to put in the work to truly earn your certification, and you’re serious about building a results-driven practice.
Integrative Health Practitioner (IHP)
- Cost: $4,727 total (split into two payments for Level 1 and Level 2)
- Time: 6 months, self-paced
What it does well:: Open to self healers, career-changers and health pros who want a solid foundation plus real-world tools. Modern learning platform and they let you integrate different approaches instead of requiring one methodology. Good for people who want flexibility to create their own style.
What’s challenging: No actual lab ordering capability (just education), newer program with a less established track record, and you’re mostly on your own without personal mentorship.
Who should consider this: Self-directed learners who want flexibility in their approach or want an accessible entry into health coaching with a path to lab education.
Institute of Restorative Health (previously Restorative Wellness Solutions (RWS)
- Cost: $17,000 total (4 courses)
- Time: 2 years
What it does well: It teaches deep, hands-on mastery of functional lab interpretation. You progress through gut, hormones, blood chemistry, and then clinical mastery. Expect live classes, real case reviews, and a tight-knit cohort. This is less about basic coaching and more about sharpening clinical thinking so you can solve complex cases.
What’s challenging: Not designed for beginners, business building, or lab-ordering access. Focus is interpretation, not practice setup.
Who should consider this: Experienced nutrition and functional practitioners who want to sharpen clinical thinking and handle complex cases.
For General Health Coaching
Functional Medicine Coaching Academy (FMCA)
- Cost: $9,779
- Time: 12 months
What it does well: The IFM partnership gives it credibility, and they actually teach sophisticated coaching skills, not just nutrition basics. Good for building long-term client relationships.
What’s challenging: Substantial investment for a coaching program, you’re still not getting hands-on lab experience and the practical implementation on the nutrition side is secondary to coaching.
Who should consider this: Coaches who want functional medicine knowledge with advanced communication and relationship skills.
Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN)
- Cost: $5,500-6,795
- Time: 6-12 months
What it does well: Huge alumni network, comprehensive business training, and exposure to tons of different approaches. Good brand recognition in the wellness world. Good prep if you want to work in a doctor’s office under their direction.
What’s challenging: Very broad approach with limited depth, super competitive graduate market, and pretty generic training. You need to pay an additional fee to get access to new and updated materials.
Who should consider this: Career changers who want a solid health, wellness education and business foundation who don’t mind working under a practitioner’s orders.
Budget-Friendly Options Worth Considering
Functional Medicine University (FMU)
- Cost: $4,895
- Time: 6-12 months, self-paced
What it does well: Symptom based testing. Looking for organ issues and disease processes, i.e. Cardio-vasuclar disease, kidney disease.Solid structured foundational self-paced program covering practical functional medicine skills and focuses on functional medicine topics that you can apply in your clinic. It provides lifetime access to materials, and legitimate expert faculty.
What’s challenging: Does not support the Chiropractic model of Whole-Being Care. More of a “this for that” protocol. Support comes at an additional charge,, no hands-on components, and lack of practical application to incorporate functional medicine into your practice. Focus is on diagnosis and alternative treatment.
Who should consider this: Self-motivated learners, for the clinician looking to incorporate the allopathic “this for that” model to their practice. It’s popular with chiropractors, naturopaths, physicians, nurses, and nutrition professionals. Provides a solid education.
Food Matters Institute
What it does well: Very affordable, holistic wellness approach, and global accessibility. Beginner-friendly nutrition certification with ten modules taught by multiple experts. Mix of fundamentals, applied coaching, and light business training, with global recognition options.
What’s challenging: More philosophy-focused than practical, limited clinical applications, an introduction program.
Who should consider this: Personal interest learners or those focused on wellness education rather than clinical practice.
How to Actually Make This Decision
Step 1: Get honest about your goals
What do you actually want to do every day? Who do you want to help? What’s your real budget and time situation?
Step 2: Face reality about your situation
Do you have existing licenses? What’s your experience level? Do you need lab access or just education?
Step 3: Do your homework
Don’t just take marketing claims at face value. Talk to recent graduates (not just the success stories they highlight). Understand total costs including ongoing fees.
Step 4: Check your local situation
Research what you can legally do in your state, understand your local market, and verify program availability where you live.
Questions Everyone Asks
Can I actually practice without a medical license? Yes, within limits that vary by state. Health coaches can provide education and lifestyle guidance but can’t diagnose or treat medical conditions. The gray areas are where people get in trouble.
How do I know if lab access claims are real? Contact programs directly, ask about their process and order process. Don’t just trust marketing materials.
What if I pick wrong? Honestly? Many successful practitioners end up taking multiple courses over time. Start with something that matches your immediate goals, then add specialized training later. Many people choose budget first and end up paying more doing multiple programs to achieve the skills they need to meet their goals.
Do credentials actually matter? Clients care more about results than letters after your name, it shouldn’t be the reason you choose a program but some credentials provide legal protection and professional credibility that matter for your business.
Our Bottom Line
We’re going to be honest – some of these programs are genuinely better than others for most people. Yes, it depends on your situation, but there are clear winners here.
Need lab use without a license: Shortlist programs that provide a compliant medical-director path and hands-on lab practice.
Primarily want coaching: Choose a credible coaching program; don’t pay for clinical tools you can’t use.
Licensed clinicians: Consider clinical depth, CME, and how it fits your practice model.
Always validate: Pricing, lab access mechanisms, scope of practice, and time commitments change—confirm before enrolling.
Most importantly, choose based on what you actually want to do day-to-day, not what sounds most impressive. Your clients want results, not credentials.
Take your time with this decision. Talk to people who’ve actually been through these programs (not just the ones featured in testimonials). The functional health field needs more practitioners who can get real results – figure out which path actually prepares you for the practice you want to build.
Not sure which program fits?
Review our guide to choosing the best health coaching & health practitioner program training.
