Functional Medicine Certification for Nurse Practitioners
You’ve told us you’re looking for ways to integrate functional medicine into your practice. We listened. Fitzgerald Health Education Associates has partnered with the Elite Nurse Practitioner to bring you the Functional Medicine Certification—a program designed to help you meet the growing demand for an integrative approach to patient care.
This certification empowers you with knowledge to address the underlying causes of chronic conditions. Learn to combine your expertise in Western medicine with powerful, evidence-based functional strategies. Enhance your clinical skills, expand your treatment options, and earn valuable CE hours—all while positioning yourself at the forefront of today’s healthcare.
Why Choose Functional Medicine?
Enhance Your Practice with Integrative Medicine
Strengthen your skills and stay at the forefront of integrative healthcare.
Taught by Experts in Evidence-Based Functional Medicine
Build trust with recognized, accredited expertise in functional medicine.
Foundations of Functional Medicine
Deepen your systems-based approach to identify and address root causes.
Enhanced Clinical Skills
Integrate functional medicine with Western medicine for elevated patient care.
Lead the Future of Healthcare
Continue leading the way in integrative, patient-centered care with advanced training.
A New Model for Better Outcomes
Improve patient-centered care and outcomes with a comprehensive, holistic approach that integrates Western medicine with evidence-based complementary therapies.
Functional Medicine is a vital part of healthcare. This certification gives you an added edge in integrative practice.
How to Become a Certified Functional Medicine Provider
This program is structured to take you from foundational principles to advanced clinical application.
1
Build a Strong Foundation
Start with the core principles of Functional Medicine, root-cause analysis, and essential lab interpretation.
2
Master Clinical & Lab Skills
Gain expertise in gut health, hormone optimization, metabolic dysfunction, chronic disease, and advanced lab testing.
3
Demonstrate Your Clinical Expertise
Apply your knowledge through practical case studies and assessments.
4
Earn Your Certification
Pass the exam and receive your certification.
Comprehensive Certification Curriculum
Clinical Excellence + Business Strategy = Success
Our faculty are experienced NPs and Functional Medicine specialists who use the same strategies taught in this certification in their daily practice.
1
Legalities, Regulations, and Risks
- Low-to-moderate liability; covered under malpractice insurance
- Cash-based practice offers greatest clinical freedom
- Advanced comorbidities require parallel specialist care
- Treat within scope; refer when appropriate
2
The Foundations of Functional Medicine
- Seeks root causes, not symptom management
- Asks “why” — addresses genetic, lifestyle drivers
- Workflow: intake, labs, personalized Four R’s plan
- Integrates into existing or cash-based practice
3
Lab Interpretation in Functional Medicine
- Uses tighter “optimal” ranges, not conventional ones
- Panel extends beyond CBC/CMP to functional markers
- Patterns, not just outliers, reveal early dysfunction
- Findings drive personalized treatment across all systems
4
Gut Health and the Biome
- GI tract: epicenter of health and disease
- Dysfunction appears as skin, brain, metabolic symptoms
- Common gut symptoms are not normal baselines
- Treatment follows digestion, absorption, elimination, microbiome pillars
5
Immunity and Inflammation
- 80% of immune system lives in the gut
- Metaflammation underlies most chronic disease addressed here
- Diet, nutraceuticals, and stress reduction support immunity
- Addresses autoimmune disorders, infections, and immune senescence
6
Sex Hormones and Functional Medicine
- Hormone deficiency raises CVD, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s risk
- Full panel: estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, cortisol
- Chronic stress depletes sex hormones via pregnenolone steal
- Treatment: adaptogens, liver support, bioidentical hormones as needed
7
Cardiometabolic Health
- CMS clusters insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, adiposity
- Insulin resistance identifiable years before diabetes diagnosis
- Targets hormones, gut, adrenals, thyroid simultaneously
- Interventions: diet, lifestyle, microbiome, targeted nutraceuticals
8
Environmental Toxins
- Sources: heavy metals, mold, glyphosate, plastics, products
- Heavy metals cause organ-specific damage at cellular level
- Half of U.S. homes have mold; often undiagnosed
- Treatment: reduce exposure, chelation, liver detox support
9
HPA Axis Dysregulation
- “Adrenal fatigue” is a misnomer; it’s feedback dysregulation
- Cortisol disruption affects sleep, digestion, immunity, and mood
- Drivers: stress, blood sugar, toxins, sleep, infections
- Treatment: adaptogens, nutraceuticals, lifestyle, cortisol rhythm restoration
10
Integrative Mental Health
- Treats whole person, not just suppressing symptoms
- Root causes extend beyond neurotransmitter theory alone
- Evaluation includes gut, hormones, nutrients, toxins, trauma
- Treatment: supplements, neurofeedback, EMDR, lifestyle modification
11
Trauma, Stress, and the Mind-Body Connection
- Trauma is the body’s response, not the event
- ACEs dose-dependently drive chronic disease and addiction
- HPA axis links stress to physical disease mechanisms
- Trauma-informed care uses EMDR, mindfulness, somatic therapies
12
Business & Practice Growth Strategies
- How to launch & scale a profitable Functional Medicine clinic
- Cash vs. insurance models—pricing, lab partnerships, and patient retention
- Marketing your practice and attracting high-value, cash-pay patients
95 Contact Hours
24 Rx Hours
1 Year Access
Ready to Enhance Your Practice?
Functional Medicine allows you to enhance your practice, address the root causes of chronic conditions, and continue leading the future of healthcare.
Learn From The Best
Meet the program’s Experts in Functional Medicine & HRT
This elite team ensures that this certification provides real-world, evidence-based training that transforms your practice and patient outcomes.
Program Director
Jenni Gallagher, MSN, NP-C
Board-certified Nurse Practitioner
Jenni Gallagher is a board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in Functional Medicine, endocrinology, and metabolic health. After experiencing life-changing health improvements through Functional Medicine, she became dedicated to helping others achieve optimal health through root-cause medicine.
Jenni has helped develop advanced Functional Medicine curricula for NPs and has extensive experience in treating hormonal imbalances, metabolic dysfunction, and chronic disease. As the Director of the Functional Medicine Certification Program, Jenni ensures that this program is practical, evidence-based, and financially rewarding for providers.
Course Authors & Subject Matter Experts
Brendan Tennefoss, NP
Metta Wellness Northwest Founder
Specialized in root-cause medicine and metabolic optimization.
Keri Douglas, NP
Renew Functional Medicine Founder
She focus on hormonal balance, chronic disease reversal, and advanced lab testing.
Justin Groce, NP
Functional GI Medicine Specialist
Quadruple board-certified NP in HRT, metabolic health, and anti-aging medicine.
Haley Stevens, NP
Pediatric Functional Medicine Expert
She is also founder of Abundant Life Center for Wellness.
Lisa Vasile, NP
4 Better Health Co-Founder
Integrative and Functional Medicine NP, with expertise in hormonal health and detox protocols.
Danielle Hawkins, NP
Women’s health and HRT Apecialist
Co-author of Elite NP’s Advanced Women’s Health & HRT Course..
Nicholas Goodwin
Psychiatric & Mental Health NP
Founder of Goodwin Health Cafe, integrating mental health and root-cause medicine.
Elite Nurse Practitioner has partnered with NETCE in the development of our Functional Medicine Certification. As an IACET Accredited Provider, NetCE offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard.
Take the Next Step – Secure Your Spot Today
Why Choose Us Over Other Programs?
- Designed specifically for NPs
- Affordable & practical – No $20K+ price tags or unnecessary requirements
- Real-world application – Learn functional medicine and business strategies
- Completely online, self-paced – No travel or rigid schedules
Enroll Today – Become an Elite NP Certified Functional Medicine Provider
Program Cost
$3,999
One-time fee for full certification & 1-year access
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the Certification.
Most providers finish in 3-6 months, but you have 1 year to complete it.
No, this program covers everything from foundational concepts to advanced protocols. Whether you are new to Functional Medicine or already practicing, this certification will elevate your clinical expertise.
Yes, you will earn The Elite NP Functional Medicine Certification, a credential that sets you apart in the field and positions you as an expert in Functional Medicine.
Absolutely. Whether you work in primary care, urgent care, specialty clinics, or operate your own practice, the protocols and strategies taught in this course are immediately applicable.
Yes, the certification is accredited for 95 Contact Hours, including 24 Rx Hours.
Program Cost: $3,999 – One-time fee for full certification & 1-year access
You’ll have lifetime access to the core certification content available at the time of your purchase. That means even after your certification year ends, you’ll still be able to log in and access the materials you originally received.