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Dec 7, 2019 7:51:44 PM | alternative medicine certification WELLNESS CAREERS– BOARDS AND REGISTRATION EXAMS | achs.edu

Now that you've graduated with a holistic health degree, it's time to take your board and registration exams. Here is a helpful topical guide.

This blog is co-authored by Amanda Lattin, ACHS Aromatherapy Program Chair, Professor

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So you've graduated from your ACHS program. What's next? Are you ready to take the next steps? Before you put those books away and breathe a sigh of relief, get your board and registration exams scheduled and complete your professional membership applications! With your hard-earned knowledge fresh in your memory banks it is never too soon to apply to sit your Board Exams.

Let’s explore your opportunities–

  • Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA): Join as an Associate Member while you are completing your aromatherapy training. Once you've completed your Certificate in Aromatherapy, you qualify to upgrade your membership to the Professional Level. After completing the Diploma in Aromatherapy, Diploma in Holistic Health Practice with Aromatherapy specialization, AAS in Complementary Alternative Medicine with Aromatherapy specialization (AAS in CAM), or the Master of Science in Aromatherapy, and have completed one year of practice post-graduation, you qualify to apply for the Advanced Practitioner Level. ACHS is approved as an AIA Level II and III professional aromatherapy training provider. This recognition ensures ACHS aromatherapy programs and ACHS students meet and exceed AIA’s extensive curriculum requirements for aromatherapy training as critically reviewed by independent evaluators of the AIA Education Committee. You can review AIA membership benefits, application requirements, and process here: https://www.alliance-aromatherapists.org/membership-information-join
  • Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP): If you are still a student, get your student liability insurance. ACHS Aromatherapy students from the following programs are approved for student liability insurance. (Certificate in Aromatherapy, Diploma in Aromatherapy, Diploma in Holistic Health Practice with Aromatherapy specialization, AAS in CAM with Aromatherapy specialization, Graduate Certificate in Aromatherapy, Master of Science in Aromatherapy. If you've already graduated from one of these programs, you're eligible for practitioner liability insurance. Students and Graduates must apply directly with ABMP; use ACHS school code 106313. To explore ABMP benefits and membership visit: https://www.abmp.com/

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  • American Herbalists Guild (AHG): If you are an herbal student, hopefully you've already become a student member of the AHG. AHG student memberships are available to anyone enrolled in an herbal training program. You can register for your student membership here: https://www.americanherbalistsguild.com/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=2 If you are interested in becoming a Registered Herbalist (RH) through the AHG after you complete your education, finding an AHG mentor can be a huge support! You can find a mentor through AHG’s mentoring program. Working with an AHG mentor can help you earn some of the clinical hours required for AHG professional membership, and give you access to guidance for your other clinical hours and application process. Graduates of the Diploma in Herbal Studies Master Herbalist, Diploma in Dynamic Phytotherapy, Associate of Applied Science in CAM with Herbal Medicine specialization, Master of Science in CAM with Herbal Medicine specialization, and Master of Science in Herbal Medicine graduates will have met the education requirements to apply for Professional Membership and become a Registered Herbalist [RH (AHG)]. Graduates seeking to apply to become a Registered Herbalist through the AHG are required to have approximately 400 hours of clinical experience obtained through independent practice, formal mentorship, or supervised clinical training as part of an academic program, or a combination of these. You can review the application process for becoming a Registered Herbalist here: https://www.americanherbalistsguild.com/becoming-ahg-professional-member
  • American Holistic Health Association: The College is a Gold Circle Supporting Institutional Member of AHHA. The AHHA offers general and practitioner memberships. Graduates are eligible to become Practitioner Members. 
  • Aromatherapy Registration Council: ACHS Certificate in Aromatherapy, Diploma in Aromatherapy, Diploma in Holistic Health Practice with Aromatherapy specialization, AAS in Complementary Alternative Medicine with Aromatherapy specialization (AAS in CAM), and Master of Science in Aromatherapy graduates are eligible to apply to take the ARC Registration Examination to become a Registered Aromatherapist and use the trademarked letters RA after their name. 
  • National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy: If you are a student you can apply for a Student of Aromatherapy membership. Once you have graduated from your aromatherapy education program, it is time to upgrade your membership! NAHA offers three professional memberships levels. ACHS is approved to offer Level One and Two aromatherapy curricula. ACHS Diploma in Aromatherapy, Diploma in Holistic Health Practice with Aromatherapy specialization, AAS in Complementary Alternative Medicine with Aromatherapy specialization (AAS in CAM), and Master of Science in Aromatherapy graduates are eligible for Professional Aromatherapist membership with NAHA. Certificate in Aromatherapy and Graduate Certificate in Aromatherapy graduates that are not existing health professionals are also required to complete qualifying anatomy and physiology courses to qualify for Professional Aromatherapist membership with NAHA. At ACHS, students would complete the following undergraduate courses to study all NAHA required body systems NAT 210 Anatomy & Physiology I, NAT 211 Anatomy & Physiology II, and NAT 212 Anatomy & Physiology III or the following graduate-level courses for qualified applicants NAT 501 Anatomy & Physiology I and NAT 502 Anatomy & Physiology II. After a minimum of one year of direct clinical aromatherapy experience, Master of Science in Aromatherapy graduates are eligible to apply for Clinical Aromatherapist membership with NAHA. To review membership benefits and the application process visit: https://naha.org/membership/become-a-member/

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  • National Association of Nutrition Professionals: Graduates of the ACHS Diploma in Holistic Health Practice, Associate of Applied Science in CAM, Associate of Applied Science in Health and Wellness, Master of Science in CAM, Master of Science in Health and Wellness, and Master of Science in Nutrition programs are eligible to apply to sit for the Holistic Nutrition Credentialing Board's (HNCB) Board Examination. The HNCB is a division of the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP). NANP Professional Members who meet the board examination qualification criteria and successfully pass the Board Exam will earn the designation, "Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition". For more information, including a list of Board Exam eligibility criteria please visit http://nanp.org/board-certification or contact them at Phone: (800) 342-8037.  As an NANP approved school, all ACHS courses offered for academic credit count as Category I continuing education credits for the ten required hours of continuing education required each year for NANP Nutrition Professionals. 

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American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) and National Certification Board For Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) 

Upon successful completion of 9 credit hours, students are awarded a certificate in Spa Management and eligible to sit for the Certified Spa Supervisor certification exam from AHLEI. Additionally, after successful completion of the program, massage therapists with a current license can elect to sit for the NCBTMB Specialty Professional Certificate in Spa Management (https://exam.ncbtmb.org/apply/) 

To learn more about our ACHS alumni and to access alumni resources visit: https://achs.edu/alumni

Have questions? Contact us today! Call 800-487-8839 or email alumni@achs.edu. 

About American College of Healthcare Sciences

ACHS-Building-ExteriorFounded in 1978, ACHS.edu is a Portland, Ore.-based, accredited college offering online, on-campus, and study abroad integrative health education. With undergraduate and graduate degrees, diplomas, certificates, and continuing education units in integrative health, ACHS makes holistic health and wellness education accessible to a diverse community, including healthcare professionals, military students, stay-at-home parents, and lifelong learners. Specializations include aromatherapy, herbal medicine, holistic nutrition, wellness coaching, and integrative health modalities. ACHS is a Certified B Corporation® and was named three of 100 Best Green Workplaces in Oregon 2019 by Oregon Business magazine. ACHS is also accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). In response to our commitment to service members, veterans and military spouses, ACHS has been designated as one of the top 15% of military-friendly institutions in the U.S. for nine years in a row. For more information visit achs.edu.

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. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am the Founding President of American College of Healthcare Sciences, the Institution that publishes this blog. However, all opinions are my own. This blog may contain affiliate links. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

amandalattinAuthored by Amanda Lattin, BA, MAT, Dip. Aroma., MH, RA, an experienced aromatherapist, herbalist, and teaches extensively at ACHS and throughout the Pacific Northwest. Amanda is a graduate of ACHS and also holds a BA in Chemistry from Huntingdon College and a Masters of Teaching with a concentration in Chemistry from Lewis and Clark College.
Dorene Petersen, ACHS Founding President

Written By: Dorene Petersen, ACHS Founding President

Dorene is the Founding President of the American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS). She has over 50 years of clinical teaching and lecturing experience in aromatherapy and other holistic health subjects. She has presented papers on essential oils and clinical aromatherapy at the International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades Annual Conference (IFEAT) in California, USA; the Aroma Environment Association of Japan (AEAJ) in Tokyo, Japan; the Asian Aroma Ingredients Congress (AAIC) and Expo in Bali, Indonesia; the International Center of Advanced Aromatherapy (ICAA) at the WonGwang Digital University in Seoul, Korea; as well as the AAIC Expo in Kunming, Yunnan, China. Dorene is a founding member of the Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC) and served as its chair until 2023. Dorene is also involved in the distance education community and has served as a volunteer, committee member, and standards evaluator for the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Dorene is a travel junkie, and has led ACHS Study Abroad programs to India, Indonesia, Greece, and Hawaii!