Education
In September 2022, the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC) became the educational oversight body for programs previously recognized by the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA).
This transition period is intended to support educational programs as they prepare to move into a pathway to accreditation. However, the accreditation process is voluntary, and programs may choose to not enter into accreditation candidacy with AAC. Programs that are not in candidacy by September 2024 will not have any official status with AAC.
Professional educational standards are necessary to establish confidence in a profession, ensure competently trained professionals, and provide greater transparency for consumers and the general public.
See more information about Educational Training Requirements and Scope of Practice guidelines for Ayurvedic professionals.
accredited Programs →
recognized AYT Programs →
for programs
Current Educational Certifications & Requirements
AAC’s Educational Competency Guidelines can be found here →
Below is a summary of NAMA’s Professional Certification levels.
Ayurvedic Health Counselor
This category represents an entire field of Ayurvedic professionals versed and educated to serve the community in the area of prevention and health promotion with a focus on diet and lifestyle.
Pre/Co-requisite: 4 credits of college level anatomy & physiology or equivalent.
Contact Hours: AHC applicants must undergo a minimum of 600 hours of training and a minimum of at least 50 supervised client encounters.
Ayurvedic Practitioner
This category represents the Ayurvedic professional with full clinical training in disease pathology, as seen through the Ayurvedic model. These professionals also practice prevention and health promotion through the focus on diet and lifestyle.
Pre/Co-requisite: 6 credits of college level anatomy & physiology or equivalent
Contact Hours: AP applicants must undergo a minimum of 1,500 hours of training (can be inclusive of AHC graduated curriculum) and a minimum of 150 supervised client encounters (can be inclusive of AHC client encounters).
Ayurvedic Doctor Level Certification
This category represents more specialized training in Ayurvedic medicine and overview training in western allopathic medicine to enable this level professional the skills and knowledge to provide an integrative medical approach to their patients.
Pre/Co-requisite: 6 credits of college level anatomy & physiology or equivalent
Contact Hours: ADLC applicants must undergo a minimum of 4,000 hours of training (can be inclusive of AHC and AP graduated curriculum) and a minimum of 300 client encounters (can be inclusive of AHC and AP client encounters).
*The use of the term “doctor” may be limited by individual state regulations. NAMA awards the membership title of Ayurvedic Doctor Level Certification to designate the highest level of professional education in the USA.
Ayurvedic Vaidya
This category represents professionals who are trained at the highest levels of traditional educational standards and competencies in Ayurveda, skill set and expertise of extensive clinical, in-person, and hands-on training, and uses advanced diagnostic tools and therapeutic methods, with great depth of knowledge and breadth of experience. Vaidya in Sanskrit refers to a scholar, physician or doctor.
Pre/Co-requisite: AV applicants a) have completed BAMS or MD degrees in Ayurveda or have equivalent education of a BAMS or MD degrees in Ayurveda, from an accredited and approving body in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, and b) have completed equivalent training to a BAMS or MD degree in Ayurveda in any other country. Members who have completed an equivalent training to a BAMS or MD in Ayurveda will be evaluated for membership, on a case-by-case basis.
Contact Hours: not applicable
Ayurvedic yoga therapist
This category represents a more specialized training in Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy to enable this level professional to practice Yoga Therapy based on the Ayurvedic understanding of the nature of patient, the nature of imbalance and the nature of therapies, to promote healing and achieve a harmonious state of body and mind with respect to individual.
Pre/Co-requisite:
200 hour yoga teacher training plus proof of 800-hour Yoga Therapy training completion
A minimum of an Ayurvedic Health Counselor education
Contact Hours: 1,100-1,500 hours