High School

To prepare for a career as an herbalist, take classes in agriculture, botany, ecology, and horticulture so you can learn about plants and how they are grown. Biology, chemistry, and physics will help prepare you to study the properties of herbs and their therapeutic uses. If you want to become a health care practitioner, you will be taking a lot of medical courses in college, so premed classes will be especially helpful. Nearly all health care professions involve interacting with people. Classes in psychology, English, debate, and drama can help you develop good communication skills. If you become an herbalist, business and computer skills will be important because you are likely to have your own business.

Postsecondary Training

If Chinese herbology will be your path toward a career as an herbalist, you will study six to eight years after high school. Oriental medicine schools offer specialties in Chinese herbology. Most are master's-level programs. For admission, you need two years of undergraduate study or a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as science, nursing, or premed. Most programs provide a thorough education in Chinese herbology, other aspects of traditional Oriental medicine, and Western sciences.

Choosing a school can be complex. State requirements to practice Oriental medicine and Chinese herbology vary, so be sure the school you choose will prepare you to practice in your state. If you choose the Western approach to herbalism, you will study naturopathic medicine. Becoming a naturopathic physician requires eight years of study after high school. First, you complete a premed undergraduate program including courses in herbal sciences, chemistry, other basic medical sciences, nutrition, and psychology.

The naturopathic doctoral degree is a four-year program. It includes courses in botanical medicine and other basic medical sciences, as well as courses in nutrition, homeopathy, and minor surgery. In addition to course instruction, there is extensive clinical training. When you finish, you will have a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree (N.D. or sometimes N.M.D.).

Contact naturopathic colleges as early as possible to ensure that you complete the prerequisite courses. The Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC) accredits naturopathic education programs. These schools offer the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree. Schools without accreditation offer correspondence courses and may offer certificates. Only a degree from an accredited school will prepare you to become a licensed naturopath. Currently there only seven U.S. and Canadian schools that are accredited by the AANMC:

• Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington, and San Diego, California
• Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
• Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon
• National University of Health Sciences in Chicago, Illinois
• Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Phoenix, Arizona
• University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

At this time, no colleges or universities offer specific programs in herbalism for those who are interested in becoming professional herbalists without following either of the career paths detailed above. Individually run herbal schools generally accept those who have a genuine interest in the field. Some offer certificates of completion, but there is no established career path to follow.

Other Education or Training

The American Herbalists Guild offers webinars such as The Worst Weeds Are Your Best Medicine, Natural Support for Brain Health, and Networking for Herbalists. The American Botanical Council, the American Herbal Products Association, and The Herb Society of America also provide continuing education classes and webinars.

Certification or Licensing

Certification indicates that an individual meets the standards established by a professional organization. Licensing is a requirement established by a government body that grants individuals the right to practice within the state.

For Chinese herbalists, the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) provides certification and promotes nationally recognized standards for Chinese herbology and Oriental medicine. In order to qualify to take the NCCAOM exam, you must meet educational and/or practice requirements. Licensing requirements vary widely from state to state. Most states use the NCCAOM certification as their standard for licensure. Other states seek certification and additional educational requirements. Check with the licensing board of the state in which you intend to practice.

For herbalists who are naturopaths, to practice medicine as a naturopathic physician, you must be licensed in the state in which you practice. Licensing is available in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia and in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, and Washington. To become licensed, you must pass the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam (NPLEX), a standardized test for all naturopathic physicians in North America, which is administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners.

Naturopaths who practice in unlicensed states are not allowed to practice as physicians, but they can still use their skills and knowledge to help people improve their lives.

The American Herbalists Guild (AHG) offers peer review for professional herbalists who specialize in the medicinal use of plants. Members voluntarily submit to a peer-review process that is designed to promote and maintain excellence in herbalism. They also adhere to a code of ethics developed by the AHG. Those who complete the process are known as registered herbalists. There is no other recognized certification or licensing for professional herbalists at this time.

Herbalists who work in retail settings are usually required to have at least one to two years of prior retail and customer service experience in a health food or herb-related business. Those who are just starting out, however, may receive on-the-job training. Licensed practitioners of naturopathy may start their careers in clinics, research facilities, or universities. They may train under a more experienced practitioner, which could last for several years, before establishing their own private practice.

To be a successful herbalist, you need a profound respect for and enjoyment of nature. Like other health care practitioners, herbalists often work with people who may be ill or in pain. You need compassion and understanding for your clients and a strong desire to help them improve their lives. Good listening skills and a reassuring manner are helpful. Strong intuition, careful observation, and good mystery-solving skills are also valuable. Idealism, the courage of your convictions, and willingness to stand up for your beliefs are essential. Knowledge of herbs and medicine and the ability to work with a wide range of people are also essential for work as an herbalist. Herbalism and other alternative health care approaches have become much more respected and accepted in recent years, but they are still misunderstood by many people.