AIFC Certified Practitioner Program

Deliver AI transformation under a proven methodology.

You've built expertise in your sector.Now deliver with the diagnostic rigour, data governance framework, and branded infrastructure that turns your work into repeatable, defensible engagements.
Apply to Become a PractitionerSee how it works

How it works

Three steps from certification to first client.

01

Get certified

Complete the AIFC certification program — the full discovery-to-delivery arc, governance framework, and give-first methodology. Certification is required before accessing the Methodology AI.

02

Access the Methodology AI

A Claude Project coaches you through every engagement. It challenges shallow discovery, enforces data governance lanes, and blocks output templates until you’ve cleared the diagnostic gates.

03

Deliver under the AIFC brand

Every deliverable carries AIFC attribution and your Certification ID. Patrick reviews your first three assessments. After that: self-certification with quarterly spot audits.

What you work with

The methodology is embedded in the coaching AI — not handed to you as a document.

The AI coaches you through each framework component in context: on a real client, in a live session prep, on a draft that needs review. You can’t copy-paste it. You have to use it.

Discovery

8-Step Diagnostic Arc

The AI coaches you through each discovery step — mission anchor, workflow audit, champion qualifier — and pushes back if you skip ahead to recommendations before the diagnosis is complete.

Governance

Green / Amber / Blue Data Lanes

Every tool recommendation is classified before it reaches a client. The AI blocks any recommendation that crosses a data safety threshold without documented governance. No exceptions.

Assessment

v2 Assessment Format

Bullets not paragraphs. #1 opportunity with named owner and lane chip. A mandatory working demo of the proposed solution. Built to be forwarded to a CIO or board without embarrassing your champion.

Templates

Output Templates

Discovery question sets, post-call follow-up emails, opportunity assessment shells, and proposal skeletons — none generated until you’ve cleared the relevant discovery gates.

Practitioner tiers

Two ways to work with the methodology.

Core

Access the methodology. Deliver under the AIFC standard.

  • AIFC Methodology AI (Claude Project access)
  • Up to 3 active client contexts per month
  • Standard output templates: discovery questions, follow-up emails, assessment shells, proposal skeletons
  • Green/Amber/Blue data lane coaching on every tool recommendation
  • AIFC Certified Practitioner digital badge
  • Monthly group coaching call with Patrick
  • AIFC attribution footer on all deliverables

Independent consultants and sector specialists who want to deliver structured AI advisory under a proven framework, with methodology coaching built in.

Most complete

Partner

Everything in Core, plus Patrick’s attention and AIFC’s brand.

  • Everything in Core
  • Unlimited active client contexts
  • One Patrick assessment review per month (48-hr written markup)
  • One async question per week (Patrick responds in-kind within 48 hrs)
  • AIFC Certified Partner badge (higher tier)
  • Listed on aiforcanadians.org/practitioners with bio and contact form
  • Co-branded proposals: “Delivered in partnership with AI for Canadians”
  • Sector wedge library: validated opening wedges by sector tier
  • Pricing guidance for non-standard engagements
  • Eligible for inbound referrals from the AIFC network

Experienced practitioners who want AIFC co-branding, Patrick’s direct review on assessments, and access to inbound referrals from the AIFC network.

Subscription pricing is available to certified practitioners. Contact Patrick to learn more and begin the application process.

Apply to Become a Practitioner

Where practitioners work

Non-Ontario markets are open.

Atlantic Canada, Quebec (with French-language capacity), BC, Alberta, and the Prairies are open to certified practitioners. Ontario requires a brief conflict check to avoid overlapping with active AIFC client relationships.

Atlantic CanadaOpen
QuebecOpen (French-language capacity required)
BC / Alberta / PrairiesOpen
OntarioConflict check required

Common questions

What practitioners ask before applying.

How does the AIFC Methodology AI work?
It’s a Claude Project that coaches you through each engagement step — discovery, assessment, tool governance, and delivery. It doesn’t hand you documents. It asks questions, challenges shallow answers, and blocks templates until you’ve cleared the relevant gates. Think of it as a senior partner looking over your shoulder on every engagement.
What does AIFC certification involve?
Certification covers the full discovery-to-delivery arc: the 8-step diagnostic sequence, the Green/Amber/Blue data governance framework, the v2 assessment format, and the give-first engagement model. Certification is required before accessing the Methodology AI. Details are provided on application.
Can I serve Ontario clients?
Ontario requires a conflict check before each engagement — Patrick’s direct client pipeline is concentrated there. Non-Ontario markets are open. Email [email protected] with the org name and sector; Patrick responds within two business days.
How does AIFC attribution work on deliverables?
Every assessment carries a mandatory footer: “Produced using the AIFC Methodology v2 | AI for Canadians” and your AIFC Certification ID. The methodology belongs to AIFC. The client relationship and engagement belong to you. You cannot reproduce or distribute the framework itself to third parties.
What sectors does the methodology work in?
It was built and validated in health, genomics and applied research, innovation ecosystems, and mission-driven nonprofits. The discovery sequence, framing library, and governance framework adapt to any org type — the coaching AI asks you to name the sector and adjusts the coaching accordingly.

Ready to deliver under the AIFC methodology?

Apply to become a certified practitioner. Patrick reviews every application personally.

Apply Now