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About the IMA
The problems of regulation, licensure, and certification of the permanent make up industry represent a national problem. Since the early 1980's, there has been a proliferation of various professionals who perform permanent make up or micropigmentation. Originally, only board certified ophthalmologists were allowed to perform permanent makeup. In 1987 the American Society of Micropigmentation was created to foster the exchange of ideas and information among the medical community; however, towards the end of the 1980s many other disciplines began to perform permanent makeup and thus the need to address these individuals and certification was needed. These individuals encompassed many different education backgrounds and training, including physicians, nurses, electrologists, cosmetologists, paramedical specialists, and tattooists. Thus, in the past there were no specific guidelines for certification or quality assurance for public safety. Now the American Academy has been recognized by a number of States and Counties in the United States as the certifying agency for permanent make up or micropigmentation.
In the early 1990s a group of highly respected micropigmentation specialists including physician, nurse, and cosmetology representatives under the direction of Charles S. Zwerling, M.D. FACS, had established the American Academy of Micropigmentation. This nonprofit Academy is chartered in the State of North Carolina. The Academy will provide continuing educational programs, Board Certification, and quality assurance protocols. With the development of permanent make up on an international scope, the board of directors of the AAM agreed to develop an international organization to address the same needs for certification and quality assurance. Thus in 2002 the International Micropigmentation Association was created as a subsidary of the American Academy of Micropigmentation.
Administration:
The Academy is governed by a Board of
Directors elected by active Fellows of the AAM and the IMA or
appointed by the Chairman of the Board when an unforeseen vacancy
arises. Some of the world's outstanding practitioners of
micropigmentation have formed national organizations within the IMA
. As a result, recommendations for improvements in the
specific areas of interest are hopefully achieved. The goal of the
IMA and these national organizations is to promote the highest known
standards of the procedural practice and to continuously research
and thoroughly test prevalent trends in this discipline of permanent
makeup and micropigmentation
Articles of
Incorporation
.
Board Certification: Diplomat (inactive) or Fellow (active) of the
IMACertification by the IMA is a voluntary choice on the part of the candidate. The candidate for Board Certification wishes to demonstrate competency to clients, peers and other professionals in the industry. By continuing one's education, client safety and benefits will be enhanced. By passing the certification exam the candidate may wish to join the IMA and be an integral part of the direction of the IMA in the field of micropigmentation. From the standpoint of the IMA, board certification, with few exceptions, will represent proof of competency and demonstration of micropigmentation skills. No other organization has had similar written examinations although attempts are being made to copy the IMA. However, for over ten years, the IMA in collaboratiion with the American Academy of Micropigmentation is the only recognized non-profit association that tests candidates written, practical, and oral knowledge.
DIMA, Diplomat of the International Micropigmentation Association: these are practitioners who have passed the International Board Certification examination offered by the IMA in cooperation with the AAM. These practitioners are eligible to join the IMA as a fellow ( see below)
FIMA, Fellow of the International Micropigmentation Association: Active Members/ Fellows of the AAM and IMA receive academic benefits which include discounts on all AAM publications, discounts on annual AAM EXPO, free AAM Journal; free MicroNews; a free FAAM CD which includes all updated Standardized AAM Forms, IPC Directory and Handy Guide to Permanent Makeup;access to the AAM Message Board; free web site listing and brochures and free phone support from leading professionals and physicians . $200.00 per year
CMI or certified micropigmentation instructors
receive academic benefits which include discounts on all AAM
publications, discounts on annual AAM EXPO, free AAM Journal; free
MicroNews; a free FAAM CD which includes all updated Standardized
AAM Forms, IPC Directory and Handy Guide to Permanent Makeup;access
to the AAM Message Board; free web site listing and brochures and
free phone support from leading professionals and physicians.
Moreover, the CMI have a unique web listing and special referral
service for practitioners interested in training .
In 1998 the AAM developed
the structure and vision for a certified micropigmentation
instructor program. The idea was to establish
guidelines for a basic core instruction for any potential
practitioner. In this way, the practitioner would be guaranteed a
complete basic knowledge and application for permanent make up and
cosmetic tattooing. The Academy reviewed about 75 instructional
manuals in order to develop a core program and eventual examination
for instructors. The eventual goal was to establish an International
Micropigmentation Association for these instructors for the purpose
of peer review, developmental examinations and the free exchange of
instructional methods. In 2002, the Academy developed an Instructor
Certification Program and National Examination. In 2003, the AAM
officially incorporated a subsidiary organization:
International Micropigmentation Association. The
candidate for a CMI must be an active Fellow in the AAM ( Board
Certified) and been in practice for:
a)
5 years or
more,
b) 4 years and 2 weeks of training with another Academy CMI or,
c) 3 years and 3 weeks of training with a CMI.
In each case, the supervising CMI must issue a letter of recommendation to the Board for that potential new CMI to take the test; and, each candidate must have maintained appropriate continuing education hours.
$250.00 per yearInternational Associate Members receive MicroNews and discounts on all AAM publications and conventions and have access to the AAM Message Board. . $100.00 per year
Note: The Academy reserves the right to refuse admission to any Academy sponsored event to any non-member.
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice: All
information within this site is copyright 1997-2003 by
Charles S. Zwerling, M.D. FACS, Chairman of the Board
and L. H. Dixon, MD, American Academy Of Micropigmentation