Herbalists

Certification or Licensing

Certification indicates that an individual meets the standards established by a professional organization. Licensing is a requirement established by a government body that grants individuals the right to practice within the state.

For Chinese herbalists, the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) provides certification and promotes nationally recognized standards for Chinese herbology and Oriental medicine. In order to qualify to take the NCCAOM exam, you must meet educational and/or practice requirements. Licensing requirements vary widely from state to state. Most states use the NCCAOM certification as their standard for licensure. Other states seek certification and additional educational requirements. Check with the licensing board of the state in which you intend to practice.

For herbalists who are naturopaths, to practice medicine as a naturopathic physician, you must be licensed in the state in which you practice. Licensing is available in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia and in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. To become licensed, you must pass the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam (NPLEX), a standardized test for all naturopathic physicians in North America, which is administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners.

Naturopaths who practice in unlicensed states are not allowed to practice as physicians, but they can still use their skills and knowledge to help people improve their lives.

The American Herbalists Guild (AHG) offers peer review for professional herbalists who specialize in the medicinal use of plants. Members voluntarily submit to a peer-review process that is designed to promote and maintain excellence in herbalism. They also adhere to a code of ethics developed by the AHG. Those who complete the process are known as registered herbalists. There is no other recognized certification or licensing for professional herbalists at this time.