Herbalism is the practice of using plants to heal injuries, treat conditions and promote wellness. A herbalism certification program teaches students how to use herbs and other plants in healing. Students can learn how to make supplements and use them as part of a holistic wellness approach. Many programs also give students a wide knowledge of subjects such as botany, anatomy and integrative health.

A herbalist certification program can be the foundation of a herbalism or broader holistic health career. Sometimes, healthcare providers who are already credentialed in another area, such as physical therapy, chiropractics, nursing or psychology, study herbology as a way to offer additional services to patients.

“We have people who are doctors, nurses, EMTs—even dentists—who take the courses because they want to add a holistic element to their practice,” Jennifer Stovall, a Community Herbalist and Health Educator who teaches courses with the BotanoLogos School of Herbal Studies said. “Then we have people who’ve never worked in healthcare before and who are looking to start with this knowledge of herbs.”

What are herbalist certifications?

You can find herbalist certification programs online. Programs are available part-time or full-time. Some programs allow you to set your own pace and complete coursework on your own time.

“The exact courses you take as part of a herbalist education will depend on the school you choose. “

The exact courses you take as part of a herbalist education will depend on the school you choose. However, there are some common courses found across most programs. Some of these include:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Herbal studies
• Herbal materials
• Herbal medicine
• Plant identification
• Vitamins, minerals and supplements
• Botany
• Applications and use of herbal medicine
• Herbal pharmacology
• Integrative pathophysiology
• Healthcare terminology

 “You do need to know all the basics.  There’s an important foundation you gain when you learn topics such as foundational health, nutrition of herbs and plants, identifying toxins, herbalism and vitamin therapy,” Stovall said. Some programs have a community or fieldwork placement while others are entirely online. You can search for the option that works best for you. 

Professional herbalist registration

There are no federal or state requirements for herbalists. You don’t need licensure to practice as an herbalist. However, having a formal qualification can be a good idea for your career. It can let potential patients know that you have the education and experience you need to provide safe herbal care. Some facilities, such as herbal clinics, only hire herbalists with formal qualifications.

Herbalists can earn qualification as a Registered Herbalist. This qualification is from the American Herbalist Guild (AHG). Herbalists who’ve earned this qualification can use the title Registered Herbalist (American Herbalists Guild) or RH (AHG) and will be listed in a national database.

To apply for this qualification, you’ll need either :

• 400 hours of clinical experience with 300 of those hours being direct patient contact hours
• 800 hours of botanical medicine or herbalist education, independent study hours
• An approved combination of education and experience

You’ll be asked to send letters of recommendation from colleagues or herbal instructors. If your application is approved, you’ll need to take and pass the AHG’s written exam.

Career pathways for grads of herbalist certification programs

You can take your career down multiple paths after graduating from a herbalist certification program. The specific options available to you might depend on factors such as your location and years of experience. Graduates of programs take on roles such as:

• Clinical herbalist
• Herbal consultant
• Herbal educator 
• Herbal farmer

Your salary as a herbalist can vary. For instance, a clinical herbalist working in a holistic healthcare center might have a different salary range than a herbal consultant working with a supplement company.

How to succeed in a herbalist certification program

Online herbalist certificate programs are often structured with working adults in mind. This can mean options such as flexible deadlines and online discussion groups. These tools can help you succeed as you move through your certification.

Daily studying can also be key for herbalism students. The best study tips for you can depend on factors such as your learning style and the exact structure of your program. However, many students find it helpful to:

• Use practice exams
• Create flashcards
• Study in rooms free of social media alerts, TV screens, text messages and other distractions
• Make schedules that plan out each week’s readings, assignments and tests
• Break large tasks into smaller pieces

“Herbalism is a healing practice. Studying it is also about your mindset, your spirit, your goals and your relationships with others,” Stovall explained. “It’s the mindset that you want to help others, help yourself and achieve your goals.”  

How to choose the right herbalist certification for you

The right online herbalist program for you depends on personal factors. It’s a good idea to consider your career goals, your current lifestyle and your budget as you look at available programs. For instance, some schools focus on skills that can help you succeed in a in clinical herbalism setting. Other schools will focus on growing herbs and creating your own formulations.

It can help to look into details such as:

• Class size
• Availability of tutoring and study groups
• Ability to contact instructors
• Current careers of past graduates
• Careers and accomplishments of instructors
• Availability of career counseling

It’s also a good idea to factor in your current schedule and obligations. This can mean looking into schools that meet your schedule needs, such as offering part-time courses or allowing evening and weekend classes. It could also mean finding a school that allows you to work at your own pace.

Resources for online herbalist students

For herbalist students, it can be a great idea to make connections to other students and professionals in the field. You can also start keeping track of the latest news and developments in the field. Professional organizations are one of the best ways to accomplish these goals. Herbalist certificate students can consider:

• The American Herbalist Guild (AHG): AHG offers webinars, events, job resources, a professional database and more for herbalists
• Herb Society of America (HSA): The HSA is dedicated to the cultivation and use of herbs. They offer resources such as member events, webinars and an herbal learning library.
• International Herbal Association (IHA): IHA offers workshops, industry news, recipes and more useful information for herbalists around the globe.

Parting words

Herbalism can be a great career for people who are interested in healthcare and wellness. An online herbalist certification can allow you to gain the knowledge you’ll need to enter this healing practice and provide care to patients. Selecting the right program can be the first step toward a fulfilling holistic health career. When you’re ready, our Find Schools button can help you find the online herbalist certification program for you.

Browse our vetted online herbalist certificate programs

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