Scope of Practice

Scope of Practice

The Homeopathic Community and Profession

The practice of homeopathy is diverse. While many practitioners are medically licensed, many are non-licensed. Quality varies greatly from those who take a weekend course and hang up a shingle, to those who have seriously studied homeopathy for many years and are certified in their practice.

State Licensure

Medical Doctors, Osteopathic Doctors and Naturopathic Doctors

Licensure to practice homeopathy in Arizona varies depending on the individual's background. For MD's (medical doctors) and DO's (osteopathic doctors), licensure to practice in Arizona is through the Arizona Homeopathic and Integrated Medicine Board. Completion of AMCH's certificate, or doctoral programs provide sufficient hours to sit for the licensing exam. AMCH's distance learning programs provides part of the hours necessary to sit for the licensing exam. Homeopathy also lies within the scope of practice of the naturopathic license, and the nurse practitioner license in Arizona.

Medical Assistants

For all others, the legal practice of homeopathy in Arizona in the past has only been possible as a Homeopathic Medical Assistant (see below for the new legal exemption). A Homeopathic Medical Assistant practices homeopathy under the auspices of a licensed homeopathic physician (MD or DO) and a Homeopathic Veterinary Assistant practices under the auspices of a licensed veterinary physician. Successful completion of AMCH's certificate program provides sufficient hours to become registered as a Homeopathic Medical Assistant in Arizona.

Licensing Board Exemption

Arizona recently passed a new law (Senate Bill 1236; ARS: 32-2911*) that is scheduled to go into effect in the Fall of 2008 (www.azhomeopathbd.az.gov/statutes.htm). This law provides an exemption to the practice of classical homeopathy for classical homeopathic practitioners in the State of Arizona if they meet the following criteria:

Provide Treatment of the "Spiritual" Vital Force
Use Classical Hahnemannian Principles in Treatment
Use Diluted Homeopathic Medicines (potency 6X or greater) Prepared Using HPUS Guidelines

Homeopathic practitioners practicing under this exemption may now use the title "Homeopath" or "Homeopathic Practitioner".

National Licensure

Licensure to practice homeopathy is complex and varies depending on the individual�s background and location. The states of Arizona and Nevada are the only states in the country that license homeopathic medical doctors and homeopathic medical assistants. Thirteen states license naturopathic physicians and homeopathy is included within their scope of practice. Several states include homeopathy within the scope of practice for chiropractic physicians and acupuncturists. Since 2000, California, Minnesota, and Rhode Island have adopted legislation conferring freedom to practice for anyone who gives full disclosure of their training and background. There is currently an effort to adopt this legislation in other states as well.

National Certification

We encourage all of our students on graduation to become certified in their practice. Our proposed program will provide sufficient hours of training to become certified by any of the national homeopathic certification boards. National certification may be obtained through the Council for Homeopathic Certification (866-242-3399 toll free) (for both non-licensed and licensed health professionals), American Board for Homeopathic Therapeutics (434-295-0362) (for MD�s and DO�s only), Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy (for DVM's only) or the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians (503-761-3298) (for ND�s only).

Practice After Graduation

The majority of students go on to practice homeopathic medicine after graduation in private practice. There are also job opportunities in homeopathic research, homeopathic pharmacy, homeopathic teaching and within the homeopathic industry.

For those who choose to do full-time homeopathic practice, there is an annual average income of $62,000 per year.

We have more information on homeopathic practice in the US in our 2006 Homeopathic Practitioner Survey Results, Click here for more information.