Aromatherapy Training and Education Guide

Aromatherapist 101

Do you thrive on scents like lavender and sandalwood? If you’re interested in studying the properties of essential oils, curious about how they work together and fascinated by the prospect of blending a customized healing potion, aromatherapy school may be a perfect choice for you.

Aromatherapists use naturally extracted essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit.

Aromatherapy can be a fascinating profession because, throughout your career, you will learn about herbs, flowers and fruits and their aromatic effectiveness. Aromatherapy is a form of natural science, and along with training and plant expertise, you will also need to be able to:

• Communicate well and market yourself effectively
• Educate others about the effectiveness of aromatherapy

At this time there are no state laws governing the practice of aromatherapy, and most practitioners actually use aromatherapy to enhance other healing practices. In fact, you will need to be licensed in another profession, like massage therapy, to legally apply essential oils to a client’s body.

However, the field of aromatherapy is evolving rapidly, and more aromatherapists are focusing their careers on the healing powers of scent. You can practice aromatherapy by offering aromatherapy consultations, selling your own aromatherapy blends and products, or teaching others about aromatherapy. But first, you will need training from an aromatherapy school.

Aromatherapist Education

What You’ll Study

The majority of aromatherapy training programs offer night or weekend seminars that anyone can attend. Some programs are specifically geared toward individuals with a degree or license in another area – from massage therapy to medicine.

The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) has established voluntary standards of training that include a helpful overview of knowledge an aromatherapist may need. Although many training programs do follow these standards, you do not need to meet them in order to practice aromatherapy. They simply represent the best efforts of leading aromatherapists to standardize their field.

Level One: Foundations Aromatherapy (30 hours)

This training program includes:

• History of aromatherapy
• Profiles of 10 to 20 essential oils
• Production and quality of essential oils
• Basic physiology
• How oils interact on physical and emotional levels
• Basic aromachemistry
• Blending, carrier oils and methods of application

Level Two: Professional Aromatherapy Certification (200 hours)

This training program includes:

• History and modern development of aromatherapy
• Basic botany
• Properties of essential oils
• Methods of extracting essential oils
• Organic chemistry
• Carrier oils
• Blending techniques
• Methods of application
• Safety
• Consultation and treatment program design
• Basics of business development
• Legal and ethical issues
• Anatomy and physiology of relevant body systems

Average Length of Study

Programs may be on-site, online or by correspondence. They range from a few seminars to an intensive program of a year or more, depending on the depth of training you want.

Average Tuition

Programs average about $500 per program, but may vary from region to region.

Aromatherapist Certification and Licensing

There are no state laws governing the practice of aromatherapy. Completing a certification program is not required to practice aromatherapy; however, formal training will provide you with a rich knowledge base and a foundation for future learning in the healing arts. It will also give you a competitive edge when looking for a job. Keep in mind that you cannot legally apply essential oils to a client without a massage therapy license or other professional credentials that allow you to touch the body (e.g., registered nurse, licensed acupuncturist, etc.).

The field of aromatherapy has been working to establish its own system of voluntary self-regulation. Level One and Level Two standards of training have been developed by the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA). Also, the Aromatherapy Registration Council offers a voluntary registration program that grants the trademarked “RA” (Registered Aromatherapist) to individuals who have completed a one-year NAHA-approved Level Two program and have passed the appropriate state examination.

Aromatherapist Career Overview

Most aromatherapists use essential oils to supplement other healing arts, such as massage and reflexology. However, there are a number of opportunities for focusing your career just on aromatherapy. Here are some possibilities:

• Providing aromatherapeutic counseling or consulting
• Making and selling essential oils, blends and products
• Writing books or articles for newspapers and magazines
• Teaching classes and workshops
• Managing an essential oil store
• Staffing a custom blending bar at a natural foods store
• Participating in a holistic health clinic
• Tutoring in schools or for interest groups

Aromatherapist Career Outlook

As society is becoming more health conscious and holistic health is becoming more widely recognized, aromatherapy will only continue to become more popular. Career opportunities after receiving and education in aromatherapy can vary widely, but many people use their aromatherapy education to supplement other specialties, like massage, reflexology and acupressure. Other people enjoy an entrepreneur-type lifestyle or work as experts in holistic or natural store settings.

Aromatherapist Salaries

Since aromatherapy is typically practiced by massage therapists, acupuncturists and reflexologists, it if difficult to pin-point an exact aromatherapy salary.

Again, there are many aromatherapy career possibilities, so your salary range will vary depending on your career choice (ie teaching aromatherapy classes, managing an essential oil store, providing aromatherapeutic counseling, etc). According to The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), aromatherapists can make anywhere from $15,000 to $45,000 annually, depending on the practice.

See Massage Therapist 101 or Reflexologist 101 for more detailed salary information.

Return to the Spa & Massage Career Center home page.

Looking for Spa and Massage Schools?

Try our Spa, Massage & Beauty Schools page. There you will find a comprehensive list of schools and program descriptions. You can also request information from the schools that interest you most.

Sources:
National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, 2007.
Aromatherapy Registration Council, 2006.
Natural Healers, 2007.