Get answers to common questions about IMF and model certification
IMF is an independent Dutch public benefit foundation (ANBI pending) dedicated to protecting models worldwide. We provide certification, education, and advocacy to create safer, fairer working conditions in the modeling industry.
Models of all experience levels, from newcomers to established professionals, can benefit from our certification and protection services. We also work with agencies and brands committed to ethical practices.
IMF operates as a Dutch public benefit foundation (ANBI pending) funded through certification fees, grants, and donations.
IMF certification is globally available. However, certain features may vary by region due to local regulations.
All IMF certifications are valid for 12 months. You can renew your certification annually to maintain your certified status and continued access to all benefits.
Certification costs vary by stakeholder type: Models €100 (€50 student rate), Agencies €500-€3,500, Brands €1,000-€5,000. We offer regional pricing for developing markets and fee waivers for hardship cases. Annual renewals are 50% of initial certification cost.
No, independent models are welcome. All models can get certified regardless of their representation status. IMF certification is available to both agency-represented and independent models.
The certification process includes identity verification, portfolio upload (3 professional images), reviewing and accepting our Code of Conduct, submitting required documents, payment (€100 or €50 for students), and admin team review. The entire process typically takes 5-7 business days after all materials are submitted and payment is completed.
Agency and brand certification programs launch Q2 2026. Early adopter applications open Q1 2026.
Yes. Models, agencies, and brands each have specific certification requirements tailored to their role in the industry.
No, only those working with under-18s. Agents who scout, manage, or book models under 18 must have an IMF Minor License. Other agents can work without this specialized license.
Yes, but cannot represent minors. Agencies can maintain certification and represent only adult models (18+) without Minor Licenses. However, to work with any models under 18, at least one agent must have a valid IMF Minor License.
To complete your certification, you'll need:
Required for All Models:
For Models Under 18:
The entire process typically takes 5-7 business days after all materials are submitted and payment is completed.
For minors (under 18), we use enhanced manual verification to ensure safety:
Models 18+ use instant automated verification through Stripe Identity, which is typically completed within minutes.
If your application needs attention:
Additional Information Requested: Our admin team may request clarification or additional documents. You'll receive an email with specific requirements and have 30 days to respond.
Application Rejected: If your application is rejected, you'll receive a detailed explanation of the reason. Common reasons include incomplete documentation, policy violations, or failed identity verification. You can address the issues and reapply.
Appeals Process: If you believe a rejection was made in error, you can appeal the decision through our formal appeals process within 14 days.
Your certification status progresses through these stages:
You'll receive email notifications at each stage and can track your application status in your dashboard.
All applications are reviewed by our trained admin team who assess compliance with IMF ethical standards. Applications typically receive a response within 5-7 business days after all required documents are submitted.
Model ID is IMF's digital identity platform where certification happens. It provides blockchain-secured identity verification, document storage, and agency connections. Certification is required to access all Model ID features.
Model ID launches January 2026 with core features including digital identity verification, certification management, document storage, incident reporting system, and certificate verification tools.
Phase 2 features (agency booking tools, advanced dashboards) launch later in 2026.
Phase 3 features (payment transparency tools) launch in 2027-2028.
No. Model ID facilitates agency-model relationships only. It's not a casting platform or job board. Models view bookings created by their agencies but cannot bypass agencies to contact brands directly.
You can create an account and begin the certification process, but features remain locked until certification is complete.
Our digital identity system uses secure verification processes including government-issued ID verification and biometric confirmation. Once verified, you receive a digital certificate that can be validated through QR codes, providing immutable proof of your credentials while protecting your privacy.
Model ID provides multiple verification methods for safety and transparency:
1. QR Code Scanning: Every certified member receives a QR code on their digital certificate. Anyone can scan this code with their phone to instantly verify certification status, expiry date, and certificate authenticity.
2. Online Verification Tool: Visit model-id.com/verify and enter a certificate ID or search by name to check certification status publicly.
3. What's Shown: Public verification displays only certification status (active/expired), certificate number, expiry date, and stakeholder type (model/agency/brand). Personal details like contact information and documents remain private.
4. Why It Matters: This prevents fake certifications, protects against imposters, and allows agencies, brands, and models to verify credentials before working together.
The verification system is blockchain-secured, making certificates impossible to forge while protecting your privacy.
Certified users have access to:
Admin features for agencies and brands include team management, bulk certification, and compliance tracking.
The Contracts feature lets you securely store and organize your modeling contracts in one place. You can upload contracts, add notes, set reminders for key dates, and organize files into folders. It's a personal document management tool to help you keep track of your professional agreements.
Only you. Contracts are 100% private. IMF administrators cannot access your contracts, and they are never shared with third parties. If you need to share a contract for a dispute or support request, you can choose to download and submit it yourself.
Each file can be up to 25MB. There's no limit on the number of contracts you can store.
Yes, you can request deletion of your personal data at any time. We comply with international privacy regulations and will process data deletion requests promptly upon verification of your identity.
We use industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information, including encryption, secure storage, and limited access protocols. Your data is never shared with third parties without your explicit consent.
Only you and authorized personnel involved in verification processes have access to your full certification details. Public verification shows only your certification status and validity, protecting your privacy while allowing verification of your credentials.
Go to Settings in your dashboard and select "Delete Account." You'll be asked to confirm and provide an optional reason. Account deletion is processed immediately, and you'll receive a confirmation email.
If you delete your account while in good standing, your public verification page will show "Withdrawn" until your certification's original expiry date. If you had active enforcement actions (suspension or revocation), that information remains visible according to our retention policy to protect the industry.
If you deleted your account in good standing, you may register again with a new application. You'll need to complete the full certification process again. If your account was deleted during suspension or after revocation, restrictions may apply based on the original enforcement action.
Model ID provides multiple secure reporting channels:
All reports are handled confidentially, reviewed by our admin team within 48 hours, and investigated according to severity tier.
It's important to understand our current capabilities:
Certified Entities (Models, Agencies, Brands with active IMF certification):
Non-Certified Parties (Not yet certified or declined certification):
We are transparent about these limitations while building partnerships to expand our reach. Every report is taken seriously and documented, even if immediate enforcement is limited.
Here's the timeline:
Reports are classified by severity tier (1-3) which determines urgency and response. You'll receive updates throughout the process and can track your report status in your dashboard (if filed as a certified user).
Yes. All parties involved in a report (reporter, reported party) can appeal decisions through our formal appeals process. Appeals are reviewed by different admin team members than the original case. You have 14 days from the decision to file an appeal. The appeals process typically takes 14-21 days for resolution.
If your application is rejected, you'll receive an email explaining why. You can submit an appeal through your dashboard within 30 days. Include any additional documentation or clarification that addresses the rejection reason. Appeals are typically reviewed within 5-10 business days.
Most appeals are reviewed within 5-10 business days. Complex cases requiring additional verification may take longer. You'll receive email updates on your appeal status.
If approved, your certification will be issued (for application appeals) or reinstated (for suspension/revocation appeals). You'll receive confirmation by email and your dashboard will update automatically.
If denied, you'll receive an explanation of the decision. For certification rejections, you may be able to re-apply after 6 months with a new application. For enforcement appeals, the original decision stands and you'll be informed of any future options.
To file an effective report, provide:
Required:
Helpful but Optional:
The more detail you provide, the better we can investigate, but you can file a report even with limited information. Anonymous reports are accepted.
While we don't provide direct emergency response services, we maintain referral networks to appropriate support organizations and authorities. For immediate emergencies, always contact local emergency services first. Our support system complements existing legal and social protections.
We provide educational resources including contract guides, red flag checklists, and template examples for reference. However, for actual contract advice, you should consult with your agency or qualified legal counsel. Our resources help you understand and evaluate contracts, not create binding agreements.
IMF uses a tiered warning system for standards violations. Administrative violations receive 1 point (expires in 1 year), professional misconduct receives 2 points (expires in 2 years), and serious safety violations receive 3 points (expires in 3 years). Accumulating 7 points may result in certification suspension. All warnings can be appealed through our formal appeals process.
If you receive a warning, you'll be notified by email and see an alert on your dashboard. Warnings are issued when behavior or reports indicate a violation of IMF's ethical standards. Each warning carries points (1-3) depending on severity. Your certification remains active unless you accumulate 7 points, which triggers a suspension review.
Warnings are categorized by severity:
Points accumulate across active warnings. At 7 points, your account is flagged for suspension review.
Suspension may occur when:
Suspensions are temporary. First suspension is typically 30 days. Repeat suspensions may be longer (90 days) with a final warning.
You can submit an appeal through your dashboard within 14 days of suspension. Provide any evidence or context that supports your case. Appeals are reviewed by IMF administrators, and you'll receive an email with the outcome. During appeal review, your suspension remains in effect.
Revocation is the permanent removal of your IMF certification. It may occur after:
Revocation is a serious action taken only when other measures have failed or the violation is severe enough to warrant immediate removal.
It depends on the reason:
Re-application is not guaranteed approval. Each case is reviewed individually.
IMF's AI protection features (launching 2027) will include digital twin ownership verification, unauthorized use detection, and registration of AI-generated likenesses. Models retain full rights to any digital replicas of their image.
A digital twin is an AI-generated replica of a real person. Under IMF standards, digital twins remain the property of the original model. Brands and agencies must obtain written consent for each use.
Brands using AI-generated models must comply with IMF's Ethical Use Policy. Certified brands must clearly label AI content and cannot use digital twins without the original model's consent and compensation agreement.
Model ID will register and track authorized digital twins through blockchain verification. Any AI representation must be traceable to your verified identity, preventing unauthorized digital replicas.
Report unauthorized AI use through our reporting system. While we cannot legally enforce takedowns, we document violations, suspend violators from our network, and provide guidance on legal remedies.
IMF advocates for AI as a tool that complements, not replaces, human models. Our certification ensures transparency - all AI models must be clearly labeled, and digital twins require consent and compensation to the original model.
Fully synthetic AI models (not based on real people) will have their own certification category in development. Digital twins of real models are tied to the original model's certification.
A personal license required for individual agents who work with models under 18. It ensures agents are trained in safeguarding protocols and child protection standards. The license is separate from agency certification.
Any agent who directly scouts, manages, books, or negotiates work for models under 18 must hold a valid Minor License. This applies even if their agency is certified.
Agents must complete a 2-hour online training module, pass an exam with 75% or higher, submit a background check, and pay the €100 fee. The license is valid for 2 years.
Agencies have a 6-month grace period after certification to ensure agents working with minors obtain their license. After this period, agency certification may be suspended until compliance is met.
No. If your agency represents models under 18, at least one agent must hold a valid Minor License. Agencies that don't work with minors don't need this license.
€100 per agent for a 2-year license.
2026: Core certification, identity verification, document storage
2027: Agency booking tools, AI protection features
2028: Payment transparency tools
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