CAN A HOMEOPATH PRACTICE IN THE UNITED STATES?

The practice of medicine in the United States of America is controlled by laws and by licensing boards. For a foreign medical degree to be recognized in the US it must have been granted to a graduate of a medical school that is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools at the time of the person's graduation.  The World Health Organization publishes this Directory.  Having satisfied this requirement, the graduate who possesses such a degree, and wishes to practice medicine there, must pass a two-day examination in basic and clinical sciences administered jointly by the National Board of Medical Examiners and the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates.

Within the United States, homeopathy is considered a postgraduate medical specialty.  The physicians who practice it have completed their orthodox professional training, have received their professional degrees, and have obtained their orthodox medical licenses.  They may choose to pursue postgraduate training in a medical specialty.  Thereafter, they obtain postgraduate education in the science of homeopathy. The legal requirements regarding who can practice homeopathy in the United States vary state to state. To find out what these requirements are for a particular state, contact the State Attorney General's Office in the capital city of that state.

The Council for Homeopathic Certification

The Council was established in 1991 to create a standard of professional competency for the homeopathic profession and to assist the public in their choice of homeopathic practitioners. This is done through administration of a certification exam offered to homeopaths that are currently residing in North America, and maintenance/publication of a national directory for homeopaths that have passed this exam. At this time, the Council does not offer the certification exam for homeopaths that reside outside of North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Caribbean islands). Also at this time, the application process and exam is completed only in English, and candidates must be proficient in English to successfully participate.

The CHC credentials homeopaths. It is unable to provide referrals, information or assistance for questions on work visas. Granting of the CHC certification does not provide any legal right to work in any North American country. All immigration and naturalization processes in North American countries are completely separate from the CHC, and enquirers are advised to seek appropriate legal counsel for these questions.

The certification the Council offers is not a license to practice homeopathy, and the legal basis for homeopathic practice varies by state or province in the US and Canada.

The certification process consists of 4 parts:

  • Theoretical exam
  • Practical (case analysis) exam
  • Case submission
  • Oral interview

To qualify for the theoretical and practical exams:

  • You must have 500 hours of formal training, or equivalent practice experience
  • You must have had a college level course in anatomy/physiology (not included in the above hours)
  • You must have a current CPR certification

Once you have passed the above exams, you must submit clinical training documentation. Clinical training guidelines are 250 supervision/observation hours plus 10 supervised cases with at least 2 follow-up visits.

After submission of your clinical training documentation, you qualify to submit 5 of your own cases. These need to be chronic cases which show significant improvement over a 6 month period. These should be written as outlined in the Certification Prep Guide.

Once your cases have been reviewed and approved by our Applicant Case Review Committee, you will be contacted to schedule your oral interview. During the interview, you will have the opportunity to discuss your practice, or ask any questions that you might have. Successful candidates receive a certificate stating that they are "Certified in Classical Homeopathy", and are entitled to use the credential 'CCH'. This certification is not a license to practice, but is helping to define a national identity for the homeopathic profession.

CHC Certification offers you these benefits:

  • Attests your proficiency as a classical homeopath to patients and other practitioners using a known standard.
  • Encourages practitioners who would refer patients to a homeopath in your area to choose you due to confidence in your demonstrated skill.
  • Includes you in a national directory, distributed in printed form and on-line here, helping you to build your practice.
  • Qualifies professional homeopaths to apply for registered membership with the North American Society of Homeopaths.
  • Qualifies you for licensure or legal right to practice in those states which require the CCH credential.
  • Qualifies you for participation in insurance or provider networks which require the CCH credential.
  • Strengthens the public view of our profession through acknowledgement of a national standard.

Many Indian graduates with the BHMS degree have been certified by the Council and are now ‘practicing’ in the US.

For more information on the Council for Homeopathic Certification, visit their web site www.homeopathicdirectory.com