How to Earn Herbalist Certificates
Key Takeaways
- Online certificates in natural medicine and herbalism often take weeks to complete.
- Herbalists use teas, tinctures, and salves to help treat and prevent ailments.
- Herbal pharmacies, farms, natural food stores, and manufacturers often hire registered herbalists.
- Registered herbalists must meet certain educational and clinical requirements.
With no herbalist certification or licensure available in the U.S., herbalist certificates provide one of the most direct routes to a herbalist career. Not only do certificates catch the eye of employers in this field, but formal education can also qualify you to become a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist’s Guild (AHG).
Learn more about herbalist certificates, including what they entail, where they’re available, and where they can lead.
Herbalist Certificate Programs
Currently, professional clinical herbalists have no federal or state licensure recognition. Herbalist degrees and certificates and the registered herbalist title from the AHG have become some of the most reputable credentials in the industry.
Since many certificates also count toward the registered herbalist title, these condensed programs provide an excellent starting point. The following listed online certificate programs also come with many additional benefits.
These courses and programs are designed to equip you with the following skills:
- Learn about plant properties used to treat and prevent illnesses.
- Understand the history of plants and herbs, including the legislation that impacts them.
- Gain hands-on skills by making and sampling herbal remedies.
- Learn organic gardening techniques such as mulching, pruning, fertilizing, and planting.
- Create a business plan and analyze case studies.
- Gain sales knowledge about herbal retailers and farmers markets.
3 Herbal Schools That Offer Certificates
Each herbal school below offers herbal courses and programs that lead to certificates or certificates of completion. Since professional herbalist certification in this field is not available, these credentials are not required for employment. However, the AHG will require proof of completion to become a registered herbalist.
The Herbal Academy
The Herbal Academy offers online herbalism courses to help you start your journey or further develop your skill set. The school runs four main standalone courses, 16 short courses, curated course packages, and several other workshops and intensives.
The Herbal Academy recommends you take about six months to complete each self-paced standalone course and receive your certificate of completion.
The Herbal Academy offers the following courses and packages:
- 4 Herbal Courses: Introductory ($349), Intermediate ($647), Business ($799), Advanced ($1,997)
- 4 Herbal Path Packages: Family Herbalist ($996), Entrepreneur Herbalist ($1,795), Professional Herbalist ($2,644), Clinical Herbalist ($3,249)
Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine
Set in Asheville, North Carolina, the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine runs a full online herbal immersion program with 23 modules and 1,200 hours of material. You’ll receive a certificate of completion when you complete the program in less than two and a half years.
Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine offers the following classes and programs:
- 1 Online Program: Herbal Immersion Program ($3,749)
Wintergreen Botanicals
Located in Allenstown, New Hampshire, Wintergreen Botanicals offers online and in-person herbalist classes and programs. The self-paced herbalist training program typically takes about two years to complete and offers an herbalist certificate if you finish all program requirements.
The school also runs 27 on-demand online classes, each completely self-paced with no deadlines. These courses offer a certificate of completion if you complete all lessons and homework requirements.
Wintergreen Botanicals offers the following classes, programs, and series:
- 15+ Self-Paced Online Classes ($0-$100)
- 3 Individual Series (Online or In-Person): Remedy Making ($295), Home Herbalist ($395-$620), Beyond the Home Herbalist ($395-$520),
- 2 Advanced Series (Online): Advanced Seasonal Energetics ($1,375), At-Your-Own-Pace Full Advanced ($1,800)
- Herbalist Training Program (Online): Includes Individual and Advanced Series
How to Become a Registered Herbalist
The AHG grants you the title of registered herbalist if you complete the requisite herbal education courses and clinical experience hours. You must also demonstrate that you have experience meeting with clients and knowledge of various medicinal herbs on your application.
As a registered herbalist, you position yourself as a recognized expert. You also join a community of industry professionals, benefitting from mentorship and educational opportunities.
Register for AHG membership.- Finish 800 hours of herbal education.
- Take courses that include human sciences, holistic nutrition and medical terminology, materia medica, pharmacy and pharmacognosy, and botany and botanical research.
- Complete 400 hours of clinical experience.
- Submit letters of recommendation.
- Take the AHG written exam.
Explore Related Online Health Sciences Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Herbalist?
Because the natural medicine industry remains unregulated in the U.S., educational programs vary significantly. Becoming an herbalist could take as little as a few months or as long as several years. The time commitment depends on the educational program you decide to pursue.
A certificate program in herbalism usually takes about 12 months. An associate degree or diploma could take up to two years to complete. Becoming a registered herbalist requires at least 400 hours of clinical experience and 800 hours of classroom experience.
What Can You Do With a Herbalist Certificate?
Since the herbalist field is unregulated, you can land most herbal-related careers with just a herbalist certificate. You can become a clinical herbalist, an herbal educator, or a herbal consultant for various organizations. You can also farm herbal ingredients, make herbal products, and sell them.
However, landing one of these careers may be easier as a registered herbalist. Employers may prefer candidates who have already demonstrated that they possess education and experience in this field.
Here are some of the possible career options for herbalist certificate-holders:
- Clinical herbalist
- Herbalist educator
- Research and development
- Herbal consultant
- Herbal farmer
Frequently Asked Questions About Herbalist Certificates
No. Herbalists do not need a license or certification to work, but having a certificate award can help you advance in your practice and gain the respect of clients and peers. You can also use a certificate to become a registered herbalist.
After you become registered, you have the credibility to assess and dispense herbal remedies. Registered herbalists can also work in teaching, counseling, or other naturopathic medicine positions reserved for more experienced natural medicine practitioners.
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