ABSTRACT
In any discussion of critical issues affecting American herbalism, licensure is a necessary topic. Although no system of licensure exists within the herbal community, the American Herbalists Guild (AHG), a national organization of clinical herbalists that works to promote excellence in herbal practice and serves as a networking base for clinical herbalists, is working on developing a certification process for professional members that would be nationally recognized. Currently, three levels of membership are recognized in the AHG: professional, general (for those working toward attaining professional membership), and student. The present standards for professional membership into the AHG are four years of training in the clinical use of herbs and/or equivalent clinical experience, completion of a lengthy application, and submission of three letters of reference and three case studies. A personal and professional biography must also be presented. The applications are peer reviewed by a board of professional members and, upon acceptance, candidates agree to uphold an ethical practice as outlined by the group. Professional members may use the initials AHG after their name to denote their allegiance to the group (Romm, 2002).
