ACHS students, graduates, and aroma enthusiasts in our community are all asking the same question: what does it take to become a Registered Aromatherapist (RA)?
In short, it involves studying and passing an exam, but we’ll break the steps down in a bit more detail below.
First, let’s look at what exactly an RA is, and the benefits of becoming certified as an RA.
An RA is an aromatherapist who has successfully demonstrated a core body of aromatherapy knowledge by passing the Aromatherapy Registration Council’s (ARC) Examination. The ARC RA Examination’s primary focus is the safe administration of essential oils and covers topics such as scientific principles, administration, and professional issues in aromatherapy. It is also available in a number of languages, including English, Japanese, and Korean.
Once you have successfully passed the ARC RA Examination, you are added to the online international database of ARC Registered Aromatherapists. The RA registration (which is valid for five years) confirms your high standard of aromatherapy education and demonstrates a commitment to the ethical, safe use and administration of essential oils when working with the public.
The ARC will also verify your registration status at the request of employers, government agencies, and anyone who needs to verify your professional qualifications.
But how do you become a Registered Aromatherapist (RA)? Here are 10 essential steps to take to become a Registered Aromatherapist:
The very first step before applying for any credential is to ask one simple question: Do I meet the qualifications? All students, including international students, can sit for the ARC RA Examination if they:
The ACHS programs that qualify for application to take the exam are listed here:
*Meets the aromatherapy education requirements for NAHA Level II and AIA Professional Level for existing health professionals such as Massage Therapists, Herbalists, Nurses, Physicians, etc per the NAHA requirements. Graduates who are not existing health professionals are also required to complete qualifying anatomy and physiology training.
**Requires students to complete AROMA 501, AROMA 503, AROMA 504, AROMA 505, and anatomy and physiology training for graduates who are not existing health professionals.
Next, you’ll want to add the upcoming Application Deadlines and Examination dates to your calendar. The ARC has these dates listed on their website here.
The Candidate Handbook is a must-have resource when preparing for the ARC Exam.
The Candidate Handbook will help you understand:
Additionally, it will give you sample Exam questions for your study sessions!
Once you’ve reviewed the Candidate Handbook, you’ll have a good idea of what to expect on the Examination. From there, you can continue to study the relevant course materials you’ve saved from your Level II or III aromatherapy program. You can also check out the recommended reading on page 23 of the Candidate Handbook.
The ARC Examination is a computer or paper-and-pencil examination that requires a score of 70% or higher to pass. It’s composed of a maximum of 250 multiple-choice questions with a total testing time of four hours.
Need some practice questions? Don’t forget to utilize the sample questions in the Candidate Handbook.
The content of the Exam will be weighted approximately based on the following topics:
Make sure to maintain your own health and wellness as you prepare for the exam. Studying takes time and energy, so make sure to follow our healthy study tips!
There are several documents you’ll need to complete your application (the Application and Consent form can be found in your Candidate Handbook):
The application fee for the exam is $325. You have a few options when paying your exam fee. You can:
DO NOT send cash—be sure to pay through one of the two options listed above.
Once you’ve completed your application, it’s time to send it in. Complete your application online or mail your application to PTC at this address:
Professional Testing Corporation
1350 Broadway, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10018
The next ARC application deadline is coming up, so it’s time to begin gathering your materials and preparing for the Examination!
Now it’s time to take your exam! Once you’ve submitted your application, PTC will contact you within six weeks with an Eligibility Notice.
The Eligibility Notice will tell you how to schedule your examination appointment, and it will also remind you of the available exam dates. The ARC Examination is offered during an established two-week testing period, Monday through Saturday, excluding holidays. You may have different instructions if you are taking the paper-based exam in Japanese or Korean, so be sure to read your Eligibility Notice carefully.
Remember: Exam appointment times are first-come, first-served, so schedule your appointment as soon as you receive your Eligibility Notice. This will increase your chances of being able to take the exam at your preferred location and time. To find a testing center near you, visit the Prometric website to find a computer-based testing center in one of hundreds of locations around the U.S.
Once you’ve scheduled your appointment, PSI will send you a confirmation email with the date, time, and location of your exam. Be sure to review this information carefully, and contact PSI immediately if you notice any errors.
Remember to plan accordingly on the day of your exam: The exam is proctored and you are not permitted to leave the room (even for a toilet break!), so be prepared. You are not permitted to take any paper, books, or iPhones into the examination room.
Be sure to get plenty of sleep the night before, drink lots of water, eat a nutritious breakfast, and allow for adequate travel time so you arrive at your examination center on time and ready to succeed! Don’t try to “study crunch” the night before. If you’ve taken the time to study in the weeks leading up to the exam, you’re already set up for success.
Once you have completed your exam it will be sent to PTC for grading. If you’ve successfully passed the exam, PTC will notify the ARC that you are a successful candidate. The ARC will then prepare a Registration Certificate and update the Register. This process can take four to six weeks.
If you’ve passed the Exam, your test results and your Registration packet will be mailed to you. As a successful registrant, make sure to email the ARC to confirm any details you would like listed on the Register. The ARC will automatically list your name and address, but you can also request to have your website, phone number, and email included on your listing.
You can find the current listing of Registered Aromatherapists (RA) here. Remember, as a Registered Aromatherapist, you are responsible for ensuring your information on the Register is accurate and up-to-date. If your information changes you will find the form to submit updates here.
As I mentioned above, one perk of passing the Examination and becoming an RA is that the ARC will verify your registration status at the request of employers, government agencies, the public, or anyone with whom you wish to share your new credential.
The ARC will only release your RA status, the date your registration was awarded, and any disciplinary actions taken by the ARC.
Now that you are a Registered Aromatherapist (RA), you have many options for putting your new credential into action. As an RA, you can:
But remember, unless you have previous qualifications and training as a Registered Aromatherapist (RA), you are not a licensed physician. You must be vigilant and aware of the current legislation in your state on the practice of aromatherapy.
Here are a few basic things that an RA cannot do:
Now that you have your RA credential, it’s important to meet the continuing education requirements. Here are a few things to remember in order to maintain eligibility as a Registered Aromatherapist (RA):
After five years, you can…
To remain eligible for RA registration with continuing education requirements, remember that:
There are many options for completing your continuing education requirement. Just make sure that each event is related to aromatherapy! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
The number of Registered Aromatherapists (RA) continues to grow, even spreading across the globe. There are RAs in China, France, Hong Kong, Singapore Japan, Korea, and the United States.
Here at ACHS, students from all over the world have successfully completed their ACHS aromatherapy program, passed the ARC Examination, and received the “RA” distinction. In fact, between 2016 and 2020, ACHS Aromatherapy graduates had a 95% success rate on the test.
The RA credential helps reinforce a standard of excellence and safety in the profession of aromatherapy, which is why we’re proud of our history of helping students achieve their desired credentials.
Ready to start on your path to becoming a Registered Aromatherapist? Explore our aromatherapy degrees here!
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. This article has not been reviewed by the FDA. Always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.