You've come to this article to better understand herbalist certification online (or the absence thereof!) What it means for the path you take to become an expert herbalist. It is true that in the United States, there is no federally-recognized accredited, licensed route to becoming a certified herbalist like it is for becoming a doctor, naturopath or chiropractor. Any school that claims you will be certified as a "certified" or "master" herbalist upon graduation is not true. There are many avenues to get a quality herbal education and become a registered herbalist in good standing.

Join as Herbalist

If you're planning to run (or be employed in) an herbal clinic If you are considering opening a clinic, then you might be interested in taking the steps to become a peer-reviewed registered Herbalist in the American Herbalist Guild. Although it is not necessary to practice, it is not a legally-valid title. However, it can be a great way to build a level of expertise within your community and affirm your belief in ethical herbalism.

You can use the acronym RH (AHG), which is a reference to Registered Herbalist (American Herbalists Guild) once you have become an herbalist registered. This will allow you to join the trusted Registered Herbalists Database.

In order to apply, you'll need to complete all of the following steps:

At the minimum of 800 hours of botanical education, independent study or a combination of the two (your Herbal Academy courses can go toward this educational requirements)

You must document at least 400 hours of clinical work which includes 300 hours of direct client contact

Write a test

Send case studies and letters suggesting herbal teachers to your colleagues

Moving Forward Without Having to Become an enrolled herbalist

It is possible that you do not want to be registered herbalists in the event that your plans involve selling products made from herbs, opening a herb shop, growing herbs for sale, taking care for your family or any other type of living a life which doesn't require direct contact with clients.

The vast majority of herbal business owners have pieced together their herbal education through online courses as well as local apprenticeships and hands-on experience. As their grandparents and grandfathers before them who loved pressing homemade elixirs in the hands of their family and friends members but they're not "certified" or "registered." They have however spent the time to study their craft, develop their skills, and seek the different types of herbalist training needed to share their wisdom safely and effectively.

If you are looking to take this path it is possible that you are interested in our foundational herbalism courses online course, which provides you with the fundamentals of herbalism, safety and tried-and-true recipes. It is also looking for our Business Herbal Course and Entrepreneur Herbalist Path Package. They both provide reliable guidance on the rules, regulations and details about starting your own business in herbal products.

Learn to become a licensed Medical Practitioner

If accreditation is important to you and you want the freedom to diagnose, treat and prescribe treatment options to patients, then you will want to explore the path to becoming a medical professional.

Medical school is an expensive investment. However financial aid, scholarships, and GI bill benefits could be available to you.

Remember that just because you have completed your herbalism studies at an accredited college doesn't mean you'll be able to be awarded herbalist certification. However, you can pair your education in herbal medicine with the training required in a profession that is licensed such as naturopathic medicine or chiropractic, to add the benefits of herbal medicine into your practices.

Discover Your Herbal Paths!

While you continue to care for your herbalism courses online your herbalist schools constantly explore new avenues when they become available. An array of online herbalism courses are offered. These are short overviews of various herbalism niches. Your herbal interests can change over time as do all things. That means that there are many more avenues for you to explore and enjoy.