Do You Need Certification to Become an Herbalist? 4 Things Schools Don’t Tell You

July 15, 2025

That Moment You Ask Yourself, “Am I Even Allowed to Do This?”

You’ve been making teas, using herbs for your family, maybe even sharing remedies with friends. And now you’re asking the big question:
“Do I need to be certified to call myself an herbalist?”

You’re not alone. Most aspiring healers hit this point—especially if you're trying to figure out how to become an herbalist who is confident, safe, and respected in your community.

I’ve taught over 5,000 students inside my herbal mentorship, and almost all of them came in with that same mix of passion and uncertainty.
In this post, I’ll share the four truths that most herbalist training programs never explain up front. But the full story—especially what to do with this information—is in the video.

Truth #1: Herbalism Is Unregulated—So What Now?

In the U.S., herbalism isn’t licensed or overseen by any national board. That means you don’t technically need a professional herbalist certificate to practice.
Sounds liberating, right? But here’s the catch: you’re also responsible for protecting your scope of practice, setting ethical boundaries, and educating your clients yourself.

So… what does that look like in real life?
I break down the exact risks and responsibilities in the first 2 minutes of the video—including how to protect yourself from one of the biggest legal misunderstandings new herbalists make.

Truth #2: A Certificate ≠ Competence

Here’s something no school will say out loud: most herbalist certificates only prove you finished that school’s curriculum. That’s it. They don’t guarantee you’re ready to work with clients or build an herbal business.
But does that mean certification is useless?
Not necessarily. There’s a specific way a certificate can help you build trust—even if it doesn’t make you “official.”
I explain how to use this strategically (and avoid getting stuck in a certificate-collecting loop) around the 03:00 mark of the video.

Truth #3: There Are 5 Subjects You Need to Master—Not Just “Which Herb for What”

If your program—or self-study—only teaches you symptom-matching (“take this herb for that issue”), you’re going to hit a wall. Fast.

So what should you study instead?
I'll name the five subjects every herbalist needs to feel grounded and confident, from phytochemistry to pathophysiology to nutrition and herbal energetics.
But more importantly, I explain how to structure your learning—what comes first, and why that order matters. That roadmap is inside the video.

Truth #4: There Are 3 Herbal Career Paths—But Most People Choose the Wrong One

Should you enroll in a formal program, find a mentor, or create your own self-study plan? The answer depends on three key factors most people overlook when planning their herbalism career path.
Which path gives you the fastest clinical confidence?
Which one leaves people feeling unsure, even after spending thousands?
I map all three paths out in the video, but what really matters is knowing how to choose your starting point based on your real-life priorities. I’ll help you make that decision—step-by-step—around 07:30 in the video.

What About Herbs? There’s One I Use Constantly—But Didn’t Mention Here

Chamomile, hawthorn, nettle… sure, they’re amazing. But the one herb I use most often for emotional overwhelm and nervous system healing isn’t listed here.
Why? Because how and when you use it depends on a specific client pattern—and you need to see it in context. That’s why I saved it for the video.

Watch the Full Video: The Truth About Herbalist Certification

Next Steps for Aspiring Herbalists

• Book a free discovery call to map your personalized learning plan.

• Explore my mentorship program: Herbal Medicine for the Soul®—a clinical, spiritual, and culturally grounded path to becoming the herbalist your people need.

• Subscribe to my YouTube channel for real-world herbal education that’s honest, empowering, and rooted in ancestral wisdom.

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