Herbology: Occupation and Practice
An herbalist is someone who studies herbs and uses a variety of plants to foster health and healing. Many qualified herbalists are also licensed practitioners of other disciplines, such as acupuncture, naturopathy, or traditional Chinese medicine. Most are self-employed and must spend considerable time seeking new clients. You may wonder is becoming an herbalist worth it, and the answer is any herbalist may find great reward in the act of helping others.
How to Become an Herbalist: Essential Info
So, how do you become an herbalist and how long does it take to become an herbalist? The following table summarizes the key education, credentialing, and skills requirements for becoming an herbalist.
| Degree Level | Graduate or professional degree for licensed health practitioners |
| Degree Field | Herbology, naturopathy, or traditional Chinese medicine |
| Licensure and Certification | Licensure is required in some states |
| Key Skills | Active listening, critical thinking, judgment, decision making, problem solving, and computer skills; a service-oriented attitude |
| Hourly Wage (February 2020)* | $15.69 an hour |
Sources: *PayScale. com, O*Net Online, American Holistic Health Association, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and University of Maryland Medical Center
Becoming an Herbalist: Steps
Now let's look at the steps involved in becoming an herbalist:
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
Prerequisites for graduate and professional schools typically include a bachelor's degree program. Aspiring herbalists may want to consider a major in botany, biology, or a related science for their herbology degree.
Step 2: Pursue Herbology Training
Prospective herbalists can choose from among a variety of different training programs on how to be an herbalist. For example, some schools offer non-degree programs, self-study courses, and workshops in herbology. For those strictly interested in advising clients, great care must be taken, as an herbalist cannot diagnose conditions or prescribe treatment when acting in an advisory role.
If a career practicing herbal medicine is the ultimate goal, one in which the herbalist can diagnose and prescribe herbs, then students must undergo more intensive training. Graduate schools offer master's and doctoral degree programs in traditional Chinese medicine that may include an introduction to botany and herbology, herbal treatment used to treat dermatological diseases, and integrated East/West medicine. Students interested in becoming naturopathic doctors must complete a 4-year training program that includes courses in botanical medicine, homeopathy, and pharmacology. Allopathic physicians, who go to medical school to study traditional Western medicine, may seek board certification in complementary medicine, including herbology, through the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine. Further research into how to become a certified herbalist, how to become a medical herbalist, how to become an herbalist doctor, or even herbology for home study may be necessary when choosing your career path.
Step 3: Qualify as a Licensed Herbalist
In order to practice, an herbalist may need to be licensed in a particular healthcare field. State licensing requirements for practitioners of naturopathy and traditional Chinese medicine can vary but often include a passing score on a national or state exam. All allopathic and osteopathic physicians in the U.S. must pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination. Some states do not include Chinese herbology as part of the scope of practice for traditional Chinese medicine. To prescribe herbs, practitioners must take a separate test.
Step 4: Earn an Herbalist Certification
Voluntary certification may be available to herbalists who specialize in certain types of herbal medicine. In some cases, earning voluntary certification can open the door to new job opportunities. The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) offers the Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (Dipl.O.M.) and Diplomate of Chinese Herbology (Dipl.C.H.) designations to candidates who complete formal education requirements and pass an exam. Certification through the NCCAOM is a prerequisite for licensure as a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine in some states.
The American Herbalists Guild (AHG) offers the Registered Herbalist (RH) designation to its members. Professional-level AHG membership is given to herbalists who provide three case studies and meet the requirements, which include four years of educational and clinical experience.
Let's review. What is the study of herbs called? Herbology. Herbalists who prescribe herbs will need to complete a graduate program in allopathic, naturopathic, or traditional Chinese medicine and meet state licensing requirements, depending on where they live. As of February 2020, an herbalist certification can earn you a national hourly wage of $15.69.
