At PTIFAT, our goal is not just to certify you in Botox—but to build clinical confidence, precision, and long-term success in patient care. After completing the Level 2 – Basic Botox Training, practitioners often ask, “When can I take the Level 3 – Advanced Botox course?” While the excitement to advance is understandable, the journey from Level 2 to Level 3 isn’t just about time—it’s about experience, repetition, and building true clinical competency.
Here’s what the post-Level 2 pathway looks like—and why it’s essential.
The 20-Patient Case Recommendation: A Structured Sequence
To qualify for Level 3 – Advanced Botox, we highly recommend that you complete at least 20 patient cases following your Level 2 course. These are not just 20 injections—they follow a detailed clinical sequence that is critical to mastering the PTIFAT approach and understanding the therapeutic and aesthetic subtleties of upper facial Botox treatment.
The 4-Step Botox Care Cycle
- Initial Injection
- You begin by treating a patient with Botox (Bonita) based on the PTIFAT Anatomic Landmark Template and the Weal Technique.
- 2-Week Follow-Up
- The patient returns for a post-injection check and any required touch-ups or adjustments.
- 3–4 Month Recare Appointment
- You assess and retreat as needed, noting muscle activity patterns and how lines are returning.
- 2-Week Post-Recare Check
- You evaluate how well the touch-ups performed after the recare appointment have balanced the aesthetic across the frontalis, glabella, and crow’s feet regions.
This four-part sequence should be completed for 20 patients.
Why This Takes Time—And Why That’s a Good Thing
Even with a full roster, completing 20 thorough patient cycles will typically take a minimum of 4–5 months. That’s assuming ideal scheduling and patient availability.
This time isn’t just a waiting period—it’s when the real learning happens. You gain:
- Repeated exposure to different tissue types and muscle movement patterns.
- The ability to compare pre-treatment photos, immediate results, and recare results over time.
- Confidence in dosage and treatment decisions.
- Insight into balancing the upper face for natural, symmetrical outcomes.
- Proficiency and confidence using the injection techniques taught in Level 2.
Guidelines Based on National Canadian Standards
PTIFAT’s Level 2 → Level 3 protocol is aligned with the FETAP Standard, which is used across Canada—including in Quebec. This standard recommends a 1-year interval between foundational and advanced training. The reasoning?
- ✅ Increased Competency
- ✅ Increased Proficiency
- ✅ Enhanced Patient Care
Some regulatory bodies may reduce or omit the interval, however we recommend that 6 months is often the minimum amount of time required to properly absorb and apply the content from Levels 1 and 2 before progressing.
Why You Shouldn’t Rush to Level 3
It’s tempting to fast-track your education, especially if you’re eager to integrate more advanced treatment areas. But the truth is: there is no way to fully absorb PTIFAT Levels 1, 2, and 3 in a condensed timeframe.
Rushing risks:
- Incomplete patient results
- Lower clinical confidence
- Missed learning opportunities that only time and experience can provide
Instead, trust the process. By following the 20-case model over several months, you’ll arrive at Level 3 with a strong foundation, a more refined technique, and real-world insight that sets you apart.
Ready to Begin Your 20 Cases?
If you’ve just completed Level 2, now’s the time to start building your case log. Our team is here to support you through the process—whether it’s providing treatment templates, follow-up protocols, or answering clinical questions as they arise.
Your path to advanced Botox training starts with 20 real patients and a structured timeline. Don’t skip the steps—master them.
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