Terms
TERMS and CONDITIONSProfessional Members are practitioners in any business related to wellness whom have been accepted by Online Wellness Association based upon the following requirements:
- Approval of a Background Check by a third party investigation service contracted with OWA
- Verification of Credentials – educational degrees, licenses, and certificates
- Three Professional References from peers and/or colleagues
Professional Members must agree to adhere to the ethical standards, best practices, and HIPPA guidelines established by the federal government, state government, credential issuing institution, state board, association, or organization. In addition, Professional Members must agree to hold the best interest and safety of their clients in the highest regard. Violation of these standards or complaints and information from past and present clients may be a basis for discontinuing membership in Online Wellness Association. If a member is disqualified after approval of their membership due to misconduct or unethical practices, no refund of membership fees will be granted, and the member will be barred from future membership.
Upon approval of the application, Professional Members are granted the privilege of displaying the OWA Seal of Approval on their personal website as recognition that they are a member “in good standing with OWA.” The OWA Seal of Approval is branded, copyrighted and can only be used with the written consent of OWA. All applicants must agree to display the OWA Seal of Approval on their websites within 30 days of approval for membership. Professional Members may download the code for the OWA Seal to their website. OWA reserves the right to suspend the member’s listing in OWA’s Professional Directory if they fail to display the OWA Seal of Approval on their site. OWA technical staff will provide assistance to the webmaster or member if requested in order to download the OWA Seal of Approval on the member’s website.
Initial fees for membership in OWA cover a background check by a third party investigation service, verification of degrees/certificates/licenses from the issuing source, and contact with professional references provided by applicant. All information submitted by applicants is confidential, and OWA will not sell, exchange or release of the applicant’s information to any other party.
If an applicant is denied membership, OWA will retain 50% of the initial application fee, and the remainder of the fee will be refunded to the applicant. OWA reserves the right to discontinue membership of any Professional Member that violates the trust and integrity of the Online Wellness Association.
Annual renewal fees cover the review of the membership file, addition of new credentials earned, and updating of the member’s areas of specialization. The fees associated with membership in Online Wellness Association apply only to the applicant and are non-transferable to any other individual or group.
All information contained in an OWA Professional Member’s Directory listing on the OWA site is the member’s sole responsibility. This information may be augmented, changed or deleted by the member at will. Only OWA staff will have privileged access to enter the license and/or certification credentials upon independent verification that the credential is authentic.
OWA will conduct random audits of membership files, confirming credentials, reviewing professional references, and updating of information contained in the membership file. Any formal complaints to licensing/certification sources about the member’s professional conduct will be reviewed by OWA’s quality assurance staff as it is brought to our attention.
OWA reserves the right to suspend membership based on false or misleading information, credentials, or references submitted by the member, and is not responsible for the accuracy of information, effectiveness of treatment, or professional advice given by our members.
General Members are individuals who register with Online Wellness Association providing a first name, email address, and zipcode. General registration is free of charge and provides access to specialized features such as Ask a Therapist and the OWA Store. OWA is committed to protecting the privacy of personally identifiable information collected about our General Members and users through our registration process. OWA does not share this information with any other website, agency, company, individual or entity.
As information and education is part of OWA’s mission, our Professional Directory, Articles Directory, OWA Blog, Calendar of Events, and Links are free of charge and available to anyone visiting the OWA website. Points of view, opinions, methods, and other information presented in the articles submitted by our Professional Members , are not those of Online Wellness Association. OWA assumes no responsibility for the accuracy, viability, or application of this information by our General Members or the public users of our website.
