Considering a Career in Aromatherapy? Here are the answers to three important questions you should know. Dorene Petersen | @dorenepetersen February 2017
February 2017 Dorene Petersen • American College of Healthcare Sciences | www.achs.edu
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ABSTRACT The global essential oil market is steadily increasing and projected to reach USD 13.94 billion by 2024. This is due in part to consumers’ increasing awareness of, and desire for organic natural products. Because of this growing awareness and demand, product manufacturers have incentive to include organic essential oils in their product formulations. But, what does this mean for professional aromatherapists or licensed medical professionals (e.g., doctors, naturopathic doctors, massage therapists)? One significant benefit of this growing sector is expanded career paths. The following information based on my research into the latest industry trends will help you to navigate budding aromatherapy and essential oil therapy professional opportunities, including crucial information about the difference between a licensed and unlicensed practitioner, and why it’s essential you locate the correct information for the specific state in which you practice.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS ABOUT THE AUTHOR ................................................................................................... 4 DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION .................................................................... 4 BACKGROUND TRENDS ................................................................................................ 5 QUESTION 1: How do I get licensed in this field? ................................................................. 6 QUESTION 2: What credentials can I use? ............................................................................ 8 QUESTION 3: What can I call myself when I graduate? ....................................................... 11 INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS ...................................................................................... 13 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................. 14 REFERENCES .............................................................................................................. 15 RESOURCES ............................................................................................................... 16 FOR MORE INFORMATION ........................................................................................ 17
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dorene Petersen BA, DIP.NT, DIP.ACU, RH (AHG) President of American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) Chair of Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC) Dorene is the Founder, President, and CEO of American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS). She has more than 40 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; and the AAIC Expo in Kunming, Yunnan, China, among others. Dorene is a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild and currently serves as Chair of the Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC). She is also active with the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Dorene is a travel junkie, and she hopes you will join her for the ACHS Study Abroad Programs in India (2017) and in Greece (2018)!
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION I am the President and Founder of American College of Healthcare Sciences, an accredited Institute of Higher Learning that offers undergraduate and graduate certificates, diplomas, and degrees in Aromatherapy and Essential Oils, along with many other integrative and complementary health modalities. However, all opinions in this white paper are my own. 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.” This white paper is for informational purposes only and represents my personal opinion. It is not intended to make any representations nor solicit, treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. Always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine, and consult with a local attorney and your state regulatory agencies regarding the scope of practice permitted and licensing requirements in your state. February 2017 Dorene Petersen • American College of Healthcare Sciences | www.achs.edu
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BACKGROUND TRENDS Grand View Research, Inc. (2016), reports that the global essential oil market is set to reach USD 13.94 billion by 2024. Why? This growth is due, at least in part, to consumers’ growing awareness of, and willingness to buy organic natural products; market demand for these products encourages manufacturers to use essential oils in the production process. Essential oils and aromatherapy tap into major trends: The spa and relaxation sector of the essential oil market is said to be one of the major growth areas with an upward trend in natural cosmetics, natural wellness products, nutraceuticals and dietary supplements. Couple this international trend with an aging population of boomers, and the industry is expected to continue to increase. In my opinion, there has never been a better time to explore the potential of working in this sector. Career paths range from natural products manufacturing to spa management to aromatherapy wellness consulting. The following information will help you to navigate aromatherapy/essential oil therapy professional opportunities. If you’re considering a career in aromatherapy, I imagine the three important questions you may be asking yourself are: • • •
How do I get licensed in this field? What credentials can I use? What can I call myself as a graduate of an aromatherapy certificate, diploma or even a degree?
This paper explores those questions in depth. It provides essential information about how to research the specific legal requirements for the state in which you live, and how to advance your aromatherapy career as an educated and ethical practitioner.
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QUESTION 1: How do I get licensed in this field? Most aromatherapy careers start with formal education, membership in applicable industry bodies, and perhaps registration through the ARC exam. Extensive self-study and ongoing continuing education are recommended, due to continued expansion of research in the field. So, once you graduate, how do you get a license to practice? In the United States, a regulated professional license is administered at the state level. Currently, there are no state licensing requirements for aromatherapists. But, be aware of other regulations that impact aromatherapy, for example: • • •
State Medical Practice Acts prohibit the practice of medicine without a license. State Massage Practice Acts prohibit massage without appropriate licensing or approval. Esthetician licensing may prohibit conducting anything along the lines of a facial treatment without the proper license.
On the bright side, states with Health Freedom Laws (such as Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Rhode Island1) allow complementary and alternative medicine practitioners to practice without a license under specified conditions. I’m no lawyer, and the specific requirements and limitations vary, but the laws generally specify things like: • • • •
Unlicensed practitioners must not perform surgery or prescribe prescription drugs. Clients must receive disclaimers, such as informing clients that aromatherapy is not state licensed. Appropriate records must be kept. Clients must complete Informed Consent forms or Client Bill of Rights, or both.
But remember, you must check with your specific state as the Health Freedom laws are all state specific.
Example 1: California Law California law, for example, requires that you provide a “plain language” disclosure to your client. The disclosure must state: 1. That you are not a licensed physician; 1
See for more information: http://nationalhealthfreedom.org/info-center/health-freedom-lawspassed/health-freedom-laws/ February 2017 Dorene Petersen • American College of Healthcare Sciences | www.achs.edu
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2. That the treatment is an alternative or complementary to healing arts services licensed by the state; 3. That the services are not licensed by the state; 4. The nature of the services; 5. The theory of treatment; and 6. Your aromatherapy education, training, experience, and other qualifications. The client provides written acknowledgment that they have the information described above, and the aromatherapist must keep this written acknowledgment for three years. A copy must also be given to the client. Also, your advertising must disclose that you are not licensed by the state as a healing arts practitioner (Orland, 2013). Plus, there are additional disciplinary and reporting requirements. As an unlicensed practitioner, therefore, it is your responsibility to know what your state requires.
Example 2: Minnesota Law Minnesota is another good example. The Minnesota statute defines what modalities are practiced by unlicensed complementary and alternative healthcare providers (CAP) [it lists aromatherapy]. The statute requires all CAP providers to provide each client with a client bill of rights and outlines prohibited acts for CAP providers. It also provides consumer protection by authorizing the Minnesota Department of Health to investigate alleged misconduct by CAP providers, among other things (2001). The bottom line is… always check your state’s requirements.
Naturopathic Doctor Scope of Practice If you are a naturopathic doctor (ND) and aromatherapy is within your scope of practice, there are 17 states, plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, that have licensing laws for naturopathic doctors. The 17 states include: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington.2 Health Provider Licenses versus State Licenses, Local Licenses, & Business Licenses Remember: State, local, and business licensing are not the same. Don’t confuse state health-related board licensing with city or state business licensing. They are not the same. There may be other state requirements you need to be aware of. If you plan to establish a consultancy business and use the title Aromatherapist, ask the state you live in what they need you to do. 2
See for more information: The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. (2016). Licensed states & licensing authorities. Retrieved from http://www.naturopathic.org/content.asp?contentid=57 February 2017 Dorene Petersen • American College of Healthcare Sciences | www.achs.edu
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Tip: Make sure any program you choose includes courses on ethics, legal issues and scope of practice
QUESTION 2: What credentials can I use? It’s important to understand that the way you refer to your credentials must not imply that you hold some unearned, higher status or more advanced scope of practice that is not covered by your training. The credentials, certificate, or degree acronyms you can use after your name depend on your training. If your school offers a Certificate in Aromatherapy (Cert. Aroma), Diploma in Aromatherapy (Dip. Aroma), or undergraduate or graduate degrees with an aromatherapy major, they can provide guidelines. Be cautious before you run out and get yourself a business card, you must carefully consider what representation your title makes to the average consumer. If you use a title that confuses them, you could get sued for misrepresentation. First, let’s look at the different levels of study. These apply to any area of study and are important distinctions: • •
Undergraduate study: Taken by someone who does not yet have a Bachelor’s degree (includes courses taken towards an Associate degree, Applied Associate degree, or Bachelors degree] Graduate study: Taken by a student who has a Bachelors degree (includes Masters Degrees and Doctoral degrees)
Examine the following definitions, from dictionary.com: • • •
•
Certificate: A document attesting to the fact that a person has completed an educational course, issued either by an institution not authorized to grant diplomas, or to a student not qualifying for a diploma. Certified: Having or proved by a certificate. Diploma: A document given by an educational institution conferring a degree on a person or certifying that the person has satisfactorily completed a course of study. [Used in the industry to indicate something more than a certificate but less than a degree.] Degree: An academic title conferred by universities and colleges as an indication of the completion of a course of study.
Just some of the credentials you may encounter are:
Certified Aromatherapist (CA or Cert. Aroma.) Certified Aromatherapist is the most common title used to describe an aromatherapist who has completed a professional aromatherapy training program (or certificate program) consisting of at least 200 hours of study with an educator approved or recognized by the February 2017 Dorene Petersen • American College of Healthcare Sciences | www.achs.edu
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Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA, www.alliance-aromatherapists.org) or the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA, https://naha.org/), or both. There is no trademark or usage restriction on this term, so anyone can call themselves a Certified Aromatherapist, even if they took an unrecognized class in someone’s living room. However, using this title if you take a program that is not approved by one of the major industry organizations could be construed as misrepresentation. Buyer beware!
Certified Clinical Aromatherapy Practitioner (CCAP) Aromatherapists who use CCAP have completed an education in clinical aromatherapy practice and may or may not be practicing clinical aromatherapy as well. Note: AIA has recently decided not to use the term clinical in their descriptions of training levels since it could imply that an aromatherapist is practicing medicine without a license.
Master Aromatherapist (Dip. Aroma)3 This Dip. Aroma title is usually used to designate a graduate of an advanced diploma or graduate-level program: such as a more comprehensive professional aromatherapy training program recognized by AIA as an Advanced Practitioner Level program (more on this later). A Master Aromatherapist diploma is not necessarily a degree but may be part of a degree if taken at an accredited, degree-granting institution.
Registered Aromatherapist In my opinion, one of the credentials with the most credibility is the Registered Aromatherapist (RA) TM designation. This title is earned by trained aromatherapists who go on to sit the independent Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC) sponsored national examination. The independent ARC is non-profit and non-membership based. ARC, in collaboration with the Professional Testing Corporation, administers the ARC exam twice per year in over 300 testing centers around the world. ARC is not associated with any specific school or company, which ensures an unbiased approach to promoting safety and practice standards for the global aromatherapy industry. No one can pay to be a member of ARC nor does ARC approve schools. In my opinion, this is what makes this registration credential so valuable. ARC also encourages approved schools from NAHA and AIA and industry experts to contribute to the question bank for the national examination through a heavily reviewed item review system, which ensures diversity and currency. 3
Note: Some aromatherapists may use the credential MA for Master Aromatherapist; however, MA is most appropriately used to refer to a Master of Arts degree, which is not currently available in aromatherapy. American College of Healthcare Sciences does offer a Master of Science (MS) in Aromatherapy degree, the only accredited graduate degree in aromatherapy available in the U.S. as of the publication of this white paper. February 2017 Dorene Petersen • American College of Healthcare Sciences | www.achs.edu
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To be eligible to sit the ARC exam, a candidate must: 1. Show successful completion of at least a 200-hour program from a school or college that is in compliance with both the current NAHA and AIA educational guidelines; 2. Have current membership in either AIA or NAHA; 3. Agree to adhere to the ARC Disciplinary Policy;4 and 4. Submit a completed application and pay the exam fee. The exam tests aromatherapy concepts and knowledge with a focus on safety standards required for the professional practice of aromatherapy. Successful exam candidates can use the Registered Aromatherapist (RA)5 designation, which is trademarked, and must adhere to a Disciplinary Policy. Also, RA registration must be renewed every five years through 100 hours of aromatherapy related continuing education. This can include publishing articles, research papers in an aromatherapy journal, or writing for the ARC newsletter, for example.6 There is also an option to retake and pass the current exam. ARC maintains a register of RAs, accessible online at www.aromatherapycouncil.org, and it also provides a complaint service that protects consumers, with the authority for the board to revoke RA registration if needed. Successful completion of the ARC RA National Examination has been accepted by at least one state department of education to qualify faculty for teaching positions where a degree higher than what they are teaching is not available. Just like the state bar associations do for lawyers, the ARC can provide schools with statistics on the percentages of their graduates who pass the national examination. This helps schools as it provides an independent assessment that the school’s graduates are meeting industry standards for training and safety. Accredited Aromatherapist I’ve seen this crop up from time to time and this is not an acceptable term in the industry. Accreditation is a process that colleges and universities go through to ensure they comply with standards for educational quality, financial integrity, succession, and many other standards. Institutional accreditation can only be issued by an 4
See: Aromatherapy Registration Council. (2016, December 3). Disciplinary policy. Retrieved from http://aromatherapycouncil.org/?s=disciplinary+policy&Submit.x=14&Submit.y=1 5 The Aromatherapy Registration Council can be found online at: http://aromatherapycouncil.org/. 6 Resources for aromatherapy journals include: International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy (http://www.ijpha.com/); International Journal of Clinical Aromatherapy (http://www.ijca.net); ScienceDirect (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09624562); NAHA (https://www.naha.org/bookstore/category/naha-journals); Aromatherapy Today (http://www.aromatherapytoday.com); and Aromatherapy Times Magazine (http://www.ifaroma.org/us/press-and-media-office/aromatherapy-times-magazine/editorialcontributions-to-our-magazine/). February 2017 Dorene Petersen • American College of Healthcare Sciences | www.achs.edu
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accreditor recognized by the United States Department of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Institutional accreditation is not industry specific, but instead looks at the core standards of the institution from a business, ethics, legal, and educational lens. Institutions can also obtain programmatic specialized accreditation for specific programs. Aromatherapy or membership organizations cannot accredit a school or college. Sometimes, accreditation is used to allow a college to participate in federal financial aid programs (select federal grants and student loans), and this can enhance access to other scholarships or funding by employers. You may choose to attend an accredited college because of the quality assurance and protection this provides you or perhaps the access to scholarships and student loans. However, attending or graduating from an accredited institution does not make you an accredited aromatherapist. Remember: Research, research, research. Other institutions may offer credentials not listed in this section. It is very important to research the scope of training offered, faculty qualifications, and accreditation of an institution when researching aromatherapy programs. Be very cautious of credentials offered by companies selling essential oils. They may offer training but are unlikely to be able to award you any particular credentials.
QUESTION 3: What can I call myself when I graduate? What you can call yourself depends upon the course, program, or degree you graduated from and the standards in the industry. Here is a list of just some of the job titles and opportunities you can explore:
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Aromatherapy Consultant Aromatic Consultant Aromatherapy Product Developer Aromatherapy Product Manufacturer Aromatherapy Product Formulator Aromatherapy Author, Blogger, or other Writer Business Owner in Essential Oil or Aromatherapy Industry Clinical Aromatherapist Essential Oil Consultant Essential Oil or Aromatherapy Educator Essential Oil Company Consultant or Employee Essential Oil Buyer Essential Oil Quality Control Manager Essential Oil Direct Selling Essential Oil Retail or Wholesale Health Coach Integrative Healthcare Practitioner or Specialist Network Marketing Perfumer Retailer or Retail Specialist (either online or in a brick-and-mortar setting) Registered Aromatherapist Spa Industry Employee Spa Manager Wellness Coach
If you are already providing a healthcare service, consider adding aromatherapy to your scope of practice. The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Handbook suggests that earning a Certificate in Aromatherapy may benefit therapists, like Recreational Therapists, who work to improve their patients’ quality of life. For more information, see: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/recreational-therapists.htm - tab-4 Other healthcare professions that are adding aromatherapy to their repertoire include: • • • • • • • • • • • •
Acupuncturists Esthetician or Skin Care Therapists Flower Essence Therapists Master Herbalists Home Health Aides Hospice or Palliative Care Givers Massage Therapists Nurses Occupational Therapists Physical Therapists Reiki Practitioners Spa Therapists
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•
Yoga Teachers
Other resources, such as O*Net Online (http://www.onetonline.org/), also provide further career information.
INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS Networking and connecting with collaborative partners, such as membership organizations, can be helpful. Remember, if you intend to seek the RA designation, you must maintain active membership in at least one professional industry organization, and the school or college you graduate from must be approved or recognized by both AIA and NAHA.
Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA) AIA’s education standards provide specific guidelines on curriculum content at each level; there are three levels:7 1. Advanced Practitioner Level School (previously Clinical Level) (minimum 400 hours of training); 2. Professional Level School (minimum 200 hours of training); and 3. Foundation Level School (minimum 100 hours of training) AIA recognize schools and colleges by conducting a rigorous review of curriculum against the educational guidelines and other requirements.
National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) NAHA also provides specific guidelines on what must be covered by the curriculum at each level; they currently have two levels (they are seeking feedback to establish Level Three): • •
Level One Foundations (30 hours); and Level Two Professional Aromatherapy Certification (200 hours).
NAHA approves schools that provide Level One and Level Two training after a careful review of curriculum; approved schools must submit a course syllabus, which is reviewed and measured against NAHA’s Standard of Education.
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See: Alliance of International Aromatherapists. (2016). Recognized schools. Retrieved from http://www.alliance-aromatherapists.org/education/aromatherapy-schools/ February 2017 Dorene Petersen • American College of Healthcare Sciences | www.achs.edu
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CONCLUSION If you choose to pursue an aromatherapy education—whether you’re interested in a single course, certificate, diploma, or undergraduate or graduate degree program—do your research. You’ll want to ensure the institution you choose aligns with your personal values and goals, and holds themselves to the highest education standards for quality, ethics, and safety. In my opinion, one of the best ways to ensure this is to choose an institution that has been reviewed by, and has curriculum approved by, a highly regarded, unaffiliated industry organization like NAHA and the AIA, and one that holds institutional accreditation with an accreditor recognized by the United States Department of Education and Council on Higher Education Accreditation. This institutional accreditation is not industry specific, but instead looks at the core standards of the institution from a business, ethics, legal, and educational lens. If you have questions about an institution’s curriculum, ask. Any aromatherapy program you want to attend should easily be able to provide you with information about their curriculum development and review process, as well as any additional approvals they might have from NAHA, the AIA, or other organizations. The intuition’s website will likely be the most effective first place to look. Armed with this information, you can make an informed choice about the institution and aromatherapy training program that best suits your interests and goals. Remember, make your education count. An essential part of your research process is learning what you are and are not allowed to do you in your state as an unlicensed aromatherapist/holistic health practitioner. If you are otherwise licensed (e.g., medical doctor, naturopathic doctor, massage therapist), and are considering adding aromatherapy to your repertoire, you’ll also want to check with your licensing body and state agencies to determine whether additional steps, if any, are required. It is your individual responsibility to be knowledgeable about, and to ensure ongoing compliance with the laws and regulations in the state in which you practice. A commitment to personal responsibility maintains integrity throughout the industry, promotes the safe and ethical use of essential oils, and helps ensure continued access to this much needed and in-demand healing modality.
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REFERENCES Grand View Research. (August 2016). Essential oil market size to reach $13.94 billion by 2024. Retrieved from https://www.grandviewresearch.com/pressrelease/global-essential-oil-market Minnesota Department of Health. (2001, July 1). OCAP general information. Retrieved from http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/hpsc/hop/ocap/geninfo.html Orland, J. (2013, August 28). Health freedom. OLR Research Report. Retrieved from https://www.cga.ct.gov/2013/rpt/2013-R-0337.htm
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RESOURCES Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA) Phone: 303.531.6377 Toll Free: 1.877.531.6377 Fax: 303.458.0002 Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday to Friday, closed on holidays) Email: info@alliance-aromatherapists.org Website: http://www.alliance-aromatherapists.org Mailing Address: Alliance of International Aromatherapists, 12011 Tejon Street, Suite 700, Westminster, CO 80234
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians Website: http://www.naturopathic.org/
Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC) Email: contact@aromatherapycouncil.org Website: http://aromatherapycouncil.org/
National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) Phone: 919.894.0298 Fax: 919.894.0271 Email: info@naha.org Website: https://naha.org Mailing Address: PO BOX 27871, Raleigh, NC 27611-7871
National Health Freedom Coalition Website: http://nationalhealthfreedom.org
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FOR MORE INFORMATION For more information, visit the ACHS Health & Wellness Blog for timely articles on aromatherapy and the aromatherapy industry at: http://info.achs.edu/blog You can also find short, easy-to-follow trainings on a variety of health and wellness and wellness-industry related topics in the ACHS Continuing Education (CE) Library here: http://achs.edu/courses?course_level_target_id=1047&department_target_id=All &page=0 I recommended the related CE course on Natural Product Labeling and FDA Compliance, available here: http://achs.edu/course/natural-product-labeling-andfda-compliance
Š 2017 American College of Healthcare Sciences. All duplication prohibited. For questions about this paper, please contact communications@achs.edu.
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