Dear Homeopathic Colleague,

We would like to introduce you to the Homeopathic Education Alliance (HEA),

a collective of homeopathic schools and educators committed to advancing
homeopathic education in the United States and to fostering a collaborative
profession for the future of homeopathy. Homeopathic education is at the core of the future of homeopathy as we train new professional homeopaths. Our goal is to create a cohesive profession, one in which homeopathic organizations work together for the common good of the homeopathic community and the public at large.

 

Over 30 years ago the homeopathic profession collectively adopted a set of educational guidelines that defined a gold standard for professional certification and created the Council for Homeopathic Certification, (CHC), which developed a rigorous certification exam. Many individual homeopathy schools based their curriculum on these rigorous requirements, while maintaining their own identity and style. The goal of the CHC is to help unite the profession and homeopaths from all backgrounds and qualifications by certifying individuals who meet a recognized professional standard of education and certification. To this end the CHC process is validated by the National Commission of Certifying Agencies (NCCA), making the CHC the only homeopathic organization third-party accredited in the United States. 

 

Also, during this time, an organization named the Accreditation Commission for
Homeopathic Education in North America (ACHENA) was formed, which developed standards for the accreditation of homeopathy schools, built on the work of the Council for Homeopathic Education (CHE). Some homeopathy schools attained accreditation through this organization. From 2018 – 2024, due to a CHC exam eligibility criteria change, only homeopaths who had completed programs from ACHENA accredited schools could apply to take the CHC exam, unless their training was from outside the United States and its educational standards were recognized by the CHC.

 

Recent changes in state laws now prohibit some homeopathy schools from stating they are accredited from a non-Department of Education approved accrediting agency, and as ACHENA has been unable to gain Department of Education recognition, some homeopathy schools have chosen not to pursue or renew ACHENA accreditation. The result has been that there are more homeopathy schools not accredited by ACHENA than are accredited. In 2024, the CHC returned to its previous exam eligibility requirements and continued to accept applicants from non-ACHENA accredited schools, while retaining a pathway for applicants from ACHENA accredited schools.

 

The Homeopathic Education Alliance supports a collaborative environment in
which all homeopathy schools can flourish and have access to CHC certification.

 

In the last four decades, homeopathic practice and education have mostly evolved independent from the licensure model and autonomous from state and federal jurisdiction. This has enabled homeopathy schools in the U.S. to develop their own vigorous programs that educate students in classical homeopathy and foster excellence in the profession. The non-licensed practice of homeopathy has been supported by Health Freedom laws established in eleven states which allow unlicensed practitioners to practice freely without violating medical practice acts, provided practitioners comply with disclosure laws. With this background, Homeopathy has become an exciting profession in the U.S. and offers the public a valuable option in healthcare and supports the goals of health freedom activism.

 

Recently, a new certifying body was established, called the North American
Homeopathic Examiners (NAHE), which offers both a certification process (CHP)
and a homeopathic licensing exam (HPLEX). NAHE created a pathway for licensure through an examination process which is accepted by the Arizona Homeopathic and Integrative Medical Examiners (AHIME), a licensing body which offers professional licensure (LHP) in the state of Arizona. NAHE Board Certification (CHP) and AHIME licensure (LHP) eligibility requirements require applicants to have completed educational programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Homeopathic Education (ACHENA), or other accreditation bodies. However, AHIME also accepts the CCH credential from the CHC as well as the HPLEX exam offered by NAHE. However, we have concern that the establishment of another certifying body at this time will create confusion and potential division within the community and is an unnecessary development in the quest for greater unity.

 

The issue of homeopathic licensure is something to be considered, and licensure may be necessary in some states, but licensure should not necessarily be seen as the best way or only way forward for the profession which some people are now stating. There is no national licensure in the United States. Licenses in the U.S. are primarily granted by state regulatory agencies and are only valid in the licensing state. Therefore, a licensed practitioner is only licensed to practice in the licensing state, unless there are reciprocal licensing agreements between states.

 

The Homeopathic Education Alliance therefore aims to safeguard a standard for homeopathic education and clinical training in the U.S., which leads to the
professional status of Certified Classical Homeopath (CCH), as offered by the CHC.

 

We have a responsibility to the homeopathic community and students of
homeopathy to educate the public of the high standards of homeopathic education that are already available in the United States and to support students becoming certified professional homeopaths.
Please look at our website and consider joining us as an individual member or
institution.

Sincerely,

HEA