How Long Does It Take to Become a Herbalist?
- ALUA PATEL
- May 3, 2023
- 2 min read
General Timeline to Become a Herbalist
Short-term training: a few months to a year (introductory or certificate programs).
Intermediate training: 2–3 years (comprehensive programs or apprenticeships).
Advanced training: 4–6 years (bachelor’s, master’s, or clinical degrees).
Professional registration: additional years of supervised practice for recognition (e.g., AHG Registered Herbalist).
Certificate and Diploma Programs
Length: typically 6 months to 18 months.
Focus: foundations of herbalism, materia medica, safety, basic formulations.
Format: online or in-person workshops.
Examples: Herbal Academy, Heart of Herbs, Chestnut School.
Suitable for: beginners, personal/family use, aspiring herbal entrepreneurs.
Apprenticeships and Mentorships
Length: 1–3 years depending on program and intensity.
Focus: hands-on plant identification, harvesting, medicine-making, client support.
Traditional model: learning directly from an experienced herbalist.
Provides real-world application beyond classroom.
Time varies by student commitment and mentor availability.
Associate or Bachelor’s Degrees
Length: 2–4 years.
Schools: ACHS, University programs in natural health.
Focus: herbal sciences, botany, chemistry, nutrition, integrative health.
Provides academic foundation for clinical or research careers.
Requires more commitment and often higher tuition.
Master’s Degrees in Clinical Herbalism
Length: 2–3 additional years after undergraduate studies.
Example: MUIH (Maryland University of Integrative Health).
Focus: clinical practice, pharmacognosy, advanced assessment.
Prepares herbalists for professional-level practice, research, or teaching.
Time to completion: 5–7 years total (bachelor + master).
Registered Herbalist (RH) with the American Herbalists Guild
Requirements: extensive study and at least 2–3 years of clinical practice.
Total timeline: usually 5–10 years from starting herbalism studies to RH status.
Process: application, clinical case reviews, peer evaluation.
Considered one of the highest professional recognitions in herbalism.
Self-Study Herbalists
Flexible timeline: 1–20 years, depending on dedication.
Involves books, fieldwork, online courses, workshops.
Many herbalists begin here and later seek formal training.
Depth of knowledge depends on commitment to practice and mentorship.
Factors That Influence How Long It Takes
Level of Practice Desired
Home/family care: months to 1 year.
Community herbalist: 2–3 years.
Clinical herbalist: 5–7 years.
Type of Education
Short courses vs accredited degrees.
Online vs in-person.
Apprenticeship vs academic route.
Personal Goals
Hobbyist, supplement maker, clinic-based herbalist, educator, researcher.
Each path requires different levels of depth and commitment.
Geographic and Legal Context
U.S.: no national licensing; certification is optional.
Some countries: stricter regulations and mandatory formal degrees.
Benefits of Structured Education
Builds credibility with clients.
Provides safety knowledge (interactions, toxicity, dosing).
Creates professional opportunities (clinics, product development, teaching).
Helps connect to herbal networks and associations.
Common Pathways and Their Timelines
Beginner workshops → 3–12 months.
Certificate/diploma → 1–2 years.
Apprenticeship → 1–3 years.
Undergraduate degree → 2–4 years.
Master’s degree → 5–7 years (total).
Registered Herbalist (AHG) → 5–10 years including clinical practice.
Practical Takeaways
Becoming a herbalist can take anywhere from a few months to a decade, depending on depth.
Certificate programs offer quick entry points for personal or community use.
Apprenticeships provide immersive, traditional learning in 1–3 years.
Degrees and advanced programs extend training to 4–7 years.
Professional recognition (e.g., Registered Herbalist) may require 5–10 years.
Timeline depends on personal goals, country, and practice type.
Herbalism is a lifelong journey — even after training, learning continues.