Enrollment is now closed
Be sure to get the latest news and announcements about upcoming enrollments for the ADAPT Practitioner Training Program, and other Kresser Institute news, events, and training opportunities, by signing up below.
Functional Medicine is no longer the future of medicine – it has become today's essential framework for managing chronic disease.
"I’m confident that the Kresser Institute will play an important role in training the next generation of Functional Medicine practitioners." Dr. Mark Hyman
ADAPT Practitioner
Training Program
The only comprehensive Functional & Ancestral Health Clinician Training and Certification Program
Modern clinician training and practice management system
This one-year clinician training and certification program was carefully researched and designed to give you everything you need in three areas essential to your success: Functional Medicine, ancestral health, and practice management.
You will:
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Gain new clinical experience in treating the most common and complex chronic conditions through our work with patients in partnership with the California Center for Functional Medicine.
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Stay up to date with literature, research studies, and footnotes to ensure our references remain fresh and current.
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Integrate and apply real-time clinical insights, new diagnostic labs, Functional Medicine panels, and other diagnostic tools.
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Review real-world case studies with our current students and alumni to ensure treatment protocols remain relevant and representative of the outcomes we see in collaborative settings with practitioners, nutritionists, and board-certified health coaches.
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Get an EASY-to-access “Preferred Lab and Supplement” resource guide that is continuously updated on a regular basis.
Spreading it out over a year gives you deeper, more complex information without overloading you. You’ll more easily integrate what you learn into your real-world practice incrementally as you go at a manageable pace.
Complete Functional Medicine Model
This is not just medical theory, but a complete Functional Medicine approach to care from the moment the patient walks through your door through the completion of treatment. It includes clinician and patient handouts you can use instantly and the option to get certified upon completion of the course.
Ancestral Nutrition & Lifestyle
This is the only Functional Medicine course that also teaches ancestral nutrition and lifestyle principles and how to apply them in clinical practice. Learn how environmental mismatch is the cause of many chronic conditions and what to do about it.
Practice Management Wisdom
Clinical skills are important, but they aren’t enough on their own. In this course you’ll get the turn-key “Optimal Practice System” (OPS). Learn how to set up and manage your practice using the same tools and techniques I use in my successful clinic.
Additional Savings: Practitioner Marketing Course
You can’t make a difference if you can’t attract patients. This online course is available to you, at a discounted rate with your enrollment in the ADAPT program. Evergreen Authority, with Keith Rhys, is a self-paced 12-week program designed to help you build a sustainable practice by drawing the right people to it.
Get Certified
ADAPT Certified Functional Medicine Practitioners (A-CFMP) are highly trained and tested Functional Medicine practitioners. Being certified in Functional Medicine sets you apart from your colleagues and not only creates more employment opportunities but also makes you more marketable in the industry.
Demand for certified Functional Medicine practitioners far exceeds the number of competent providers available. Certification ensures patients and clients that you have the skills-based training to not only practice the theory of Functional Medicine but actually apply evidence-based skills in practice. It ensures your inclusion and priority status in the Kresser Institute’s Practitioner Directory of trained and certified practitioners, where the public can find and contact the practitioner that best fits their needs. You can also link the A-CFMP certification badge on your site or social profile to our “What is an ADAPT Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner?” patient resource page.
It allows you to proudly display your A-CFMP credential on your website, email, social media platforms, office, and marketing materials. Ongoing and updated education is important to all practitioners. A-CFMPs will be eligible for the ADAPT Alumni Membership, which provides access to ongoing curriculum and educational updates.
Still exploring? Start with a few case studies.
Curriculum at a Glance
Each learning track is interwoven and unfolds in the weekly coursework in a way that mirrors how we use the information in a real clinical setting.
The ADAPT Framework
Materials in this topic area give you a complete roadmap—a systems model for Functional Medicine. Learn logical, methodical, proven approaches to patient care.
Functional Medicine
In-depth training for diagnosing and treating the most common chronic health conditions you’ll encounter in your practice, from intake and testing to test interpretation and complete treatment protocols.
Ancestral Nutrition & Lifestyle
Create fully personalized diet, supplement, and lifestyle protocols for your patients, all from an ancestral perspective. Discover the power of a Paleo template, and learn to create customized prescriptions for particular circumstances and needs, as well as for 13 of the most common health conditions you will see in your practice.
Practice Management
This material runs throughout the full 12 months of the course. Get everything you need to set up, run, and optimize your practice. Avoid clinician burnout and earn a great living.
The Optimal Practice System (O.P.S.)
Beyond education: a turnkey practice management system and tool kit
Imagine having not only the answers to your pressing logistical practice management questions, but also the written procedures and ready-made forms to go along with them.
Get over 100 guides, quick reference sheets, protocols, instruction sheets, forms, written policies, questionnaires, and handouts.
My goal with this course is to create more proficient, successful functional/ancestral medicine practitioners as quickly as possible. When I thought back on what it took to build my own practice—the trial and error, the consultants, the hiring mistakes, and the anxiety over creating procedures—I knew I had to provide more than just the training. I wanted to offer actual written policies and procedures and all the actual documentation you’d need to skip those first three years of struggle and trial and error.
Patient Intake Process
For a friction-free patient experience
Your initial interactions set the stage for a smooth, successful relationship with a more actively involved patient—from establishing realistic expectations to collecting all the necessary paperwork quickly for a more friction-free patient experience.
- Patient intake questionnaires and surveys
- Initial consult script
- Informed consent paperwork
- The new patient guide
- Report of Findings template
- And more …
Practice Management Support
For faster staff training, fewer mistakes, and more efficient operations
Get a complete set of documents, templates, and written working procedures. Create a strong foundation, better-trained staff, and streamlined operations for a new or existing practice.
- Written procedures for major operational tasks
- Chart processing procedures
- Patient communication policy
- ICD-10 codes for superbills and labs
- Technology, software, and hardware recommendations
- And much more …
Clinician Handouts
Your new expertise at your fingertips in easy-to-use formats
What’s often missing from other functional training is a system—with tools designed for day-to-day use—that empowers you to instantly apply what you’ve learned to your practice. That’s exactly what you’ll get in this training. The essential kit includes the reference guides and quick reference sheets you need to instantly access deeper expertise and use what you learn. Documents include:
- Functional blood chemistry manual
- Test interpretation guides
- Patient protocol matrices
- Structuring a treatment
- Test interpretation guides
- And many more …
Over 50 Patient Handouts
With the option to easily add your branding/logo
Guide patients step by step through the big changes you’re asking them to make. Boost compliance and get better outcomes, happier, healthier patients, and glowing testimonials. With energized word-of-mouth and referrals, you’ll have a more stable flow of new patients and revenue. Our online system will allow you to instantly customize any patient handout with your own brand and logo. You’ll get:
- 15 Paleo diet support handouts
- 10 condition-specific diet protocols
- 20 test prep and protocol guides
- Stress management guides
- Sleep improvement guides
- Organic food & shopping guide
- Living healthy on a budget guide
- Paleo for vegetarians guide
- Toxin-free home guide
- And much more …
Access to this turnkey system is worth the entire cost of this training course on its own.
I’ve easily spent triple the cost of this course—more than $30,000—over the last five years to develop this system for my own practice. I’ve spent the time and money so you don’t have to. Get unlimited access to all of this at no additional cost when you enroll in the ADAPT Framework clinician training.
You won’t find any other resource that is more closely aligned to your practice needs—not to mention the ability to print over 50 different patient handouts with your own logo and branding on demand.
Student Discounts
Practitioner Marketing Course
This online course is available to you, at a discounted rate with your enrollment in the ADAPT program. Evergreen Authority, with Keith Rhys, is a self-paced 12-week program designed to help you build a sustainable practice by drawing the right people to it.
"Even though I took [a different Functional Medicine course], I never quite got all that they were teaching and did not know how to apply it in practice beyond basic things. With your course, I feel the mystery is gone and I am actually applying what I learn daily and changing people’s lives. Again, thank you." Donna Kay Jennings, BSN, MHSA, MSN, PMHNP-BCMissoula, MT
"I'm an ANP. I had completed [a different Functional Medicine course], but felt I needed more help with the daily clinical practice. I got it from this program. I am running a functional practice which I opened 3 months ago. I am a solo practitioner but linked to a large healthcare system." Kathleen Mahon, ANPSt. Cloud, MN
ADAPT Functional Medicine Practitioner Training and Certification Program is the Only Practical, End-to-End, Functional and Ancestral Medical Training Available
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Other Training Course Option 1 | Other Training Course Option 2 | Other Training Course Option 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Functional Medicine theory | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Easy to use clinical systems model and map to guide diagnosis and treatment | ✓ | |||
| Functional blood chemistry analysis | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Stool, saliva, urine test interpretation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Advanced lab interpretation (SIBO breath, IBS-SMART, etc.) | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Lab company recommendations and preferences (discussed by name) | ✓ | |||
| Detailed treatment protocols with prescription and supplement information (brand, dosing, contraindications, and more) | ✓ | |||
| Paleo/ancestral nutrition and lifestyle training | ✓ | |||
| Comprehensive practice management training | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Practice management toolkit with forms, procedures, and documents to help with the logistics of managing your practice | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| BONUS 12-week FM practitioner marketing course with lifetime access ($4000 value) | ✓ | |||
| Patient education handouts with your practice branding | ✓ | |||
| Live interaction and Q&A with faculty members | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Case-based learning format to support real-world application of knowledge | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Delivered at a pace that is manageable and maximizes retention | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Evidence-based learning approach to support long-term mastery | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Interactive app-based community forum for students and graduates | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Graduate (Alumni) membership for continued access to updated course material, networking opportunities, and community resources | ✓ | ✓ |
If you combined some of the other training options, you’d spend at least two to three times more than you’ll spend on the ADAPT course—and still not get everything it includes.
You cannot put a price on 200+ experts at your fingertips.
"The more experienced, or those with some Functional Medicine experience like myself, definitely benefit from the foundational pieces. Until now, my Functional Medicine education had to be pieced together through many different avenues. It was lonely and a venture devoid in support. I finally have an accessible community to run cases by and everyone is so helpful. This has been the best part! You cannot put a price on 200+ experts at your fingertips. The pace is perfect for both more experienced Functional Medicine providers and newbies." Andrea Telfer-Karbo, FNPMartinez, CA
theremedymartinez.com
If you’re like most practitioners, you’re looking for:
The ADAPT Functional Medicine Practitioner Training Program has everything you need:
Plus
I can't think of a better decision that has been more worth it than enrolling in the Kresser Institute.
"The knowledge, application, and business sense will all put you a step ahead of the game in every single area. You are literally taking shortcuts to paths in so many industries beyond just Functional Medicine. I went from stressed out working 80 hours in my clinic a week to complete freedom of my schedule to be able to focus on research, learning, and providing greater value to more and more people. I can't believe how quick the transformation was. Since I started the training, I've used the core business principles to quadruple the revenue from my business." Anthony Gustin, MS, DCAustin, TX
dranthonygustin.com
ADAPT Practitioner Training Program Timeline
Join the next group of Kresser Institute course graduates. Chart a path to your future with a single course that includes the unique combination of training you’ll need for success. Take a look below at how the carefully designed format fits into your life and launches you to a whole new level in just one year.
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The ADAPT Course Begins
Join a unique cohort of motivated and highly qualified medical pros. Be part of the revolution in functional/ancestral healthcare.
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Manageable Pace
Just 2–4 hours/week with a full week break each quarter & regular Q&A times.
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Quarterly Breaks
A one-week break every 3 months gives you time for a breather or to catch up.
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Congratulations
Celebrate your success. In just one year you have transformed your future. Join our group of graduates for ongoing growth, networking, and professional development.
Are you eligible?
(Find out quickly and easily!)
The ADAPT training program is designed for licensed and allied health professionals—this includes most nutritionists and some students.
Find out if you’re eligible“What if I’m not eligible?”
If you do not pass the eligibility survey, you’ll be redirected to a page with more information about your options and next steps. We have enrollment advisors available to discuss your eligibility in depth, should you feel your circumstances are unique.
Invest in your future—and your ability to transform the future of medicine
Why spend years on scattershot, disconnected trainings … struggle to build a practice from scratch … and spend more than $25,000 on a program that lacks critical elements?
With the ADAPT program, you’ll get:
The future starts now.
I can’t emphasize enough the benefits I’ve received from this program...
"As a mid-career physician making the transition from pediatric anesthesia into Functional Medicine, the ADAPT Program has provided me with a potent, actionable system for success in treating patients using a functional and evolutionary approach." Christian Tucker, MDAkron, OH
Section Head Pediatric & Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia at Cleveland Clinic
Enrollment is Over
Be sure to get the latest news and announcements about upcoming enrollments for the ADAPT Practitioner Training Program, and other Kresser Institute news, events, and training opportunities, by signing up below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible?
This training is open to licensed health professionals and other trained allied health professionals. Before enrollment, you’ll be able to check your eligibility with a simple survey. Take the eligibility survey here. You can also visit the ADAPT Practitioner Training Program Eligibility page for more details about who is a good fit for this course.
Do I need to have prior Functional Medicine training?
No. This course provides a complete systems model for Functional Medicine.
Do I need to have prior ancestral health training?
We ask that anyone entering the course read The Paleo Cure (previously published in hardcover as Your Personal Paleo Code and published internationally as Your Personal Paleo Diet). Beyond this basic ancestral nutrition overview, you do not need to have any other prior training in the ancestral perspective.
Is certification offered as part of the program?
Yes, as part of the ADAPT Functional Medicine Practitioner Training Program, you can apply for certification. Once you complete the full coursework, pass the weekly quizzes, and meet all eligibility requirements, you will have the opportunity to apply for certification for an additional fee. The cost of the certification includes a comprehensive course study guide, practice quizzes, and access to the final exam. Once you pass the final exam, you will become an ADAPT Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner (A-CFMP) with a promotional badge of certification and a printable certificate.
Do I have to pass tests or quizzes along the way?
Weekly quizzes are included in the year-long course to aid in the learning process and are required for certification. Practitioners planning to certify, will need to pass all the weekly quizzes if they wish to be eligible for the ADAPT Functional Medicine Practitioner Certification. There is a certification exam as part of the certification process. You can find more information here.
What is the time commitment? What if I fall behind schedule?
We estimate that most health professionals will need to spend two to four hours per week on this course. Some weeks may require more or less time than this, depending on your personal prior training and experience. There is also a one-week break every quarter that you can use to catch up. Alternately, you may choose to pay tuition in full and take advantage of our “Full Access” option—unlocking the full course in advance so you can truly move at your own pace.
Is it a self-study course where I go at my own pace?
Strictly speaking, you are free to go at your own pace. New modules will become available according to the schedule. You will continue to have access to all released content for six months after the end of the 12-month course. You are free to ask instructors questions about any of the course material during the 12 month program. After course completion, you will have the opportunity to join the Adapt Practitioner Alumni Membership for continued access to Case Mentorship and updated course materials.
What if I have time now and want to move more quickly through the course materials? Can I work ahead?
Yes. For students who pay tuition in full, we offer a “full access” option where we unlock the entire year-long course 30 days after you enroll. That way you can move at a quicker pace if you find you have the time to do so.
Is there a way to ask questions during the program?
Absolutely! This is a big part of the learning process in this course. There are regular opportunities for Q&A with the Kresser Institute trained staff and a monthly webinar/Q&A's with faculty.
Will I be able to bring questions from real cases?
Yes. There will be opportunities in the monthly Q&A to review real questions from real cases with faculty.
There’s a topic I’m interested in that I don’t see listed. How can I find out if it will be covered?
If you have additional questions not answered here, please simply email support@kresserinstitute.com and we’ll do our best to find the information you require.
What happens if I have to drop out of the course mid-way?
We hope that you’ll have no reason to voluntarily quit. We’ve done our best to design a course that fits into even the busiest schedule. If you should need to temporarily interrupt your participation, you can return and continue at your own pace. You’ll have access to the materials for six months following the end of the course, which will give you plenty of time to complete the course. This is a non-refundable, self-paced course. You are free to quit at any time, but you will not receive a refund and will still be required to complete your monthly payments until you have met your full course fee obligation. Please see the course Terms & Conditions page for more information.
How much of the course is delivered by Chris Kresser versus other faculty members?
The course was created by Chris Kresser and it continues to be developed, updated, and influenced by Chris in collaboration with Program Director, Tracey O'Shea, and other qualified faculty. The course materials are delivered by Chris, Tracey, and other faculty. Monthly webinar/Q&As are held with both Chris and Tracey. In between the monthly Q&A sessions, you'll have access to Tracey (via email and forum) to ask questions about the course curriculum, and for continued mentorship on patient cases.
Is this training suitable for international practitioners?
Yes! We’ve had over 100 international practitioners from 28 countries complete the program. The systems model of approaching Functional Medicine with ancestral nutrition and lifestyle, the basic framework of practice management principles, and the bonus practitioner marketing course are applicable to practitioners all over the world.
Note that some tests and supplements may be difficult to order in countries outside of the U.S., but we have you covered. We provide a reference guide for ordering supplements and labs internationally. For the blood chemistry unit, we teach lab ranges and values in U.S. units, but we provide unit conversion resources.
Due to the variability and evolving regulations for different licenses within each country, we cannot guarantee the relevancy of every aspect of the program for each individual international practitioner. We encourage you to email us if you would like to discuss the details of your unique situation.
What if I have a question that is not answered here?
If you have additional questions not answered here, please connect with an enrollment advisor. Our enrollment advisors can help you:
- Sort through the many features this comprehensive program provides
- See how the program works with your learning style and your schedule
- Understand how the ADAPT Practitioner Training Program can deepen and expand your clinical practice (and your practice management)
You can:
Will you offer scholarships, financial assistance, or payment plans?
Yes! We offer a 12-month payment plan if you do not wish to pay in full. We are not offering any scholarships for the practitioner program at this time.
I thought I knew a lot about Functional Medicine before I took this course and have realized that what I knew was only the tip of the iceberg.
"There is no other program like this. I cannot complain about anything in this course. It has changed so many things in a positive way for me. The format is really perfect for someone who is very busy and it helps you to really learn the material. The pace is perfect and although it is not difficult, it is challenging in a good way. My patients have really responded well to these protocols as well." Becky Campbell, DCJupiter, FL
drbeckycampbell.com
