Our Professional Memberships
NAMA is the leading voice of the Ayurvedic profession in the United States. NAMA offers Professional Membership Categories to Ayurvedic professionals who meet previously established qualifying criteria at four different levels: Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC), Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP) or Ayurvedic Doctor Level Certified (ADLC) and the newly created Ayurvedic Vaidya (AV). The AHC, AP and ADLC categories must first pass their respective NAMACB certification exam.
Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC) Membership is for professionals who are trained in preventive healthcare as well as health-promotion with a specific focus on diet and lifestyle through traditional Ayurvedic medical science principles and practices.
Ayurvedic Practitioners (AP) Membership is for professionals who are trained in preventive healthcare, nutrition, lifestyle pathology and disease management through traditional Ayurvedic medical science principles and practices. The Ayurvedic Doctor exam is coming soon.
Ayurvedic Doctor Level Certified (ADLC) Membership is for professionals who use the same diagnostic tools and therapeutic methods as the practitioner, but with greater depth of knowledge and breadth of experience. The doctor has a much deeper understanding of the history, classical texts and pathology.
Ayurvedic Vaidya (AV) Membership is for 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. The application process is forthcoming by Fall 2024.
Professional members can also add two additional designations to their membership: Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist (AYT) or Panchakarma Technician (PKT). Those seeking to become an Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist (AYT) must graduate from a AAC-recognized AYT program. To maintain a professional membership, members are required to submit 28 continuing education credits every two years.
Exam Information→ Exam Study Guides → Exam Reference Guides →
Professional Membership Benefits
Professional Membership Categories
Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC)
Ayurvedic Health Counselors are trained in preventive healthcare as well as health-promotion with a specific focus on diet and lifestyle through traditional Ayurvedic medical science principles and practices. All persons from a qualifying program seeking to apply for Ayurvedic Health Counselor Professional Membership must first pass the NAMACB AHC certification exam $170 annual dues. AHC Educational Competencies →
Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP)
Ayurvedic Practitioners are trained in preventive healthcare, nutrition, lifestyle pathology and disease management through traditional Ayurvedic medical science principles and practices. All persons from a qualifying program seeking to apply for Ayurvedic Practitioner Professional Membership must first pass the NAMACB AP certification exam. $185 annual dues. AP Educational Competencies →
Ayurvedic Doctor level certified (ADlc)
Ayurvedic Doctor Level Certified professionals use the same diagnostic tools and therapeutic methods as the practitioner, but with greater depth of knowledge and breadth of experience. The doctor has a much deeper understanding of the history, classical texts and pathology. All persons from a qualifying program seeking to apply for Ayurvedic Doctor Level Certified Professional Membership must first take the NAMACB ADLC Beta board certification exam. $250 annual dues. ADLC Educational Competencies →
Ayurvedic Vaidya (AV)
Ayurvedic Vaidyas (AV) are 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.
Ayurvedic Vaidya (AV) Membership is open for eligible individuals who meet the following criteria: 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.
Current NAMA members in the Ayurvedic Doctor Level Certified (ADLC) membership category, who have a BAMS degree from an accredited institution will automatically be allowed to apply to the Ayurvedic Vaidya (AV) Membership, upon verification of their degree. NAMA ADLC members who do not have the approval of an accredited institution will currently remain in the Ayurvedic Doctor Level Certified (ADLC) Professional Membership category. The requirements and benefits of the NAMA Professional Membership also apply to the Ayurvedic Vaidya (AV) Membership category.
The application process is forthcoming by Fall 2024.
REFUND POLICY: All membership fees paid to NAMA are non-refundable. If you have opted for automatic renewal of your membership, you are responsible for canceling your membership prior to the renewal date if you do not wish to continue. No refunds will be issued for automatic renewals once the payment has been processed. NAMA reserves the right to enhance membership benefits, services, or programs at any time. Changes in membership benefits do not entitle members to refunds. It is the applicant’s responsibility to review and understand this no refund policy prior to completing the membership application and payment. By submitting payment, the applicant acknowledges that they have read and agreed to this policy.
add-on DESIGNATIONS
Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist (AYT)
Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist is for NAMA Professional Members who have at least the Ayurvedic education at the AHC level; and the training, practice and principles of 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 consciousness. $25 addition to Professional Member dues. AYT Educational Competencies →
Panchakarma Technician (PKT)
Panchakarma Technician is for NAMA Professional Members who have at least the education of an AHC. More information coming soon. $25 addition to Professional Member dues.