Training Built to the Standard of Clinical Care
Rigorous. Supervised. Globally Relevant.
IAHC training programs are being built on a single conviction: that healthcare clowning is a clinical discipline, and clinical disciplines require clinical-grade training.
The proposed curriculum is structured around four progressive levels, from foundational principles to advanced mentorship, each grounded in the IAHC Standards of Practice and the current evidence base. Every practical component is designed to be supervised by a certified IAHC mentor in a real healthcare setting.
The framework is being designed to serve all healthcare disciplines, whether a dedicated therapeutic clown seeking full certification or a nurse looking to integrate playful therapeutic techniques into existing practice. Enrolment will open once the curriculum, board governance, and ethical framework are formally ratified.
Evidence-Informed
Every proposed module is grounded in peer-reviewed research. The curriculum will teach what the evidence supports, and be transparent about where the evidence is still developing.
Clinically Supervised
Practical training is designed to take place in real healthcare settings under the supervision of IAHC-certified mentors. There is no substitute for supervised clinical experience.
Reflective Practice
The framework is built to develop reflective practitioners. Every course will include structured reflection frameworks that build the self-awareness essential to safe, ethical clinical clowning.
Globally Portable
IAHC training is being designed to be relevant across healthcare systems, cultures, and settings, so that future graduates can practice with confidence anywhere in the world.
Four Levels of Training in Development
Introduction to Healthcare Clowning
An evidence-grounded introduction to the principles, history, and clinical rationale of healthcare clowning. Proposed content covers the therapeutic relationship, psychosocial care frameworks, and the ethical responsibilities of the healthcare clown.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the evidence base for healthcare clowning
- Apply core principles of the therapeutic relationship
- Navigate clinical environments safely and ethically
- Demonstrate foundational improvisational and relational skills
Intended to be open to all healthcare disciplines. No prior clowning experience required. (Enrolment not yet open.)
Clinical Skills in Healthcare Clowning
A proposed supervised clinical practicum in which participants would apply healthcare clowning skills in real hospital or care settings under the guidance of a certified IAHC mentor. Proposed content covers patient assessment, adaptive practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Learning Outcomes
- Conduct patient-centred assessments before each encounter
- Adapt practice in real time to clinical and emotional cues
- Collaborate effectively with nursing, medical, and allied health teams
- Document and reflect on clinical encounters using IAHC frameworks
Proposed prerequisite: HC-101 or equivalent recognised training. (Enrolment not yet open.)
Placement governance
Clinical placements for this module take place within host healthcare institutions under their own governance, infection control, and patient safety frameworks. IAHC does not operate clinical facilities or hold clinical authority. Acceptance into any placement is at the sole discretion of the host institution.
Mentorship & Supervision in Healthcare Clowning
Proposed for experienced practitioners seeking to mentor others. Proposed content covers clinical supervision models, reflective practice facilitation, and the pedagogical principles that underpin effective mentorship in healthcare clowning.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply clinical supervision frameworks to healthcare clowning practice
- Facilitate reflective practice with supervisees
- Assess competence against IAHC Standards of Practice
- Support practitioners through ethical dilemmas and complex cases
Proposed prerequisite: IAHC Certification (or equivalent) plus 2 years of active clinical practice. (Enrolment not yet open.)
Continuing Education Units (CEU)
A proposed library of short, focused modules covering specialist topics: paediatric oncology, palliative and end-of-life care, geriatric settings, trauma-informed practice, and more. Intended to support ongoing professional development for certified practitioners.
Learning Outcomes
- Deepen practice in specialist clinical contexts
- Stay current with emerging research and evidence
- Support ongoing professional development post-certification
- Engage with specialist topics not covered in core training
Proposed for IAHC members and future certified practitioners. (Not yet available.)
Pathways by Discipline
The IAHC training framework is being designed to serve practitioners across all healthcare disciplines. These proposed pathways illustrate how the curriculum could be structured to fit different professional backgrounds and goals.
Therapeutic Clowns
Proposed full certification pathway: the complete professional track for dedicated healthcare clown practitioners seeking the IAHC-CP credential.
Recommended Courses
Nurses & Physicians
Proposed pathway to integrate clowning principles and playful therapeutic techniques into existing clinical practice, without a full certification commitment.
Recommended Courses
Child Life Specialists
Proposed pathway to deepen psychosocial care skills with structured clinical clowning training, building toward optional full certification.
Recommended Courses
Social Workers
Proposed pathway to expand the therapeutic toolkit with evidence-based play and humour interventions for emotional regulation and resilience.
Recommended Courses
Arts Therapists
Proposed pathway to complement existing creative arts therapy training with the specific relational and clinical skills of healthcare clowning.
Recommended Courses
Allied Health Professionals
A proposed flexible entry point for any clinician interested in integrating the therapeutic power of play into their practice.
Recommended Courses
Continuing Education: Proposed Framework
The IAHC training framework proposes an ongoing continuing education component to ensure future certified practitioners remain current with the evidence base and evolving standards of practice. A specialist module library is planned, covering paediatric oncology, palliative care, geriatrics, trauma-informed practice, and more. Content and delivery will be developed once the board and curriculum committee are established.
View Certification RequirementsReady to Be Part of What We Are Building?
Enrolment will open through the IAHC membership portal. Become a founding member to be first in line for training registration, course materials, and your certified mentor network.