The Associate member category was conceived to acknowledge those individuals from a variety of vocations related to the field of herbalism, who have achieved an intermediate level of training and experience. This distinction also includes those dedicated herbalists who are not interested in becoming clinical herbalists, who work in related fields, and who have made significant contributions to the field of herbalism.
2. Is this a credential membership?
No, Associate member is not a credential. An Associate member is not a mark of competency in clinical practice as the RH (Registered Herbalist) title is. This new membership category acknowledges individuals from a variety of vocations related to the field of herbalism, including those who may become RH (Registered Herbalists) in the future.
3. How does this differ from the RH membership?
This category acknowledges a broad definition of contributions to the field of herbalism. Although Associate members are asked to submit minimal evidence of their work and study, this membership category is not peer-reviewed for educational and practice standards. While the Associate membership may function as a stepping stone to the advanced RH membership, it also stands alone as an intermediary category.
The RH credential is committee-reviewed, specific to clinical herbal practice, and requires 1200+ hours of study in a variety of aspects of herbal medicine. RH is still considered the highest standard for clinical herbalism offered within the AHG. The RH credential offered through the American Herbalists Guild is an acclaimed and widely recognized credential that may be acquired through 1200+ hours of study in a variety of aspects of herbal medicine. The RH designation is currently the only widely recognized committee-reviewed credential available to herbalists in the US. See the RH page for further requirement details.
4. How can I become an Associate member?
Prospective Associate members must acknowledge a statement of ethical guidelines and submit documentation of a minimum of two years of relevant herbal training or experience, averaging five hours or more per week (a total of approximately 500 hours). Associate members are also responsible for paying annual dues. Click here to join.
5. What if I already have a General membership and want to switch to an Associate membership?
You can join as an Associate Member at any time upon submitting the required documentation. Your Associate membership will be active for one year from the date that your General membership is set to expire. For example, a General membership that expires on 7/2022 can be renewed today to transition into an Associate membership which will expire on 7/2023.
6. I just renewed my General membership. Can I upgrade to Associate membership?
For those that have a new or renewed General membership from within the past three months, it is simple and cost-effective to transition to an Associate membership at a prorated rate. Please contact the office for more information.
7. How long after submitting my information will I receive a response regarding my Associate membership status?
As soon as our system acknowledges receipt of your materials and your annual dues, you will receive an Associate member welcome letter via email and be able to access your benefits. Note that although Associate members are asked to submit adequate evidence of their work and study, this membership category is not peer-reviewed for educational and practice standards as is the RH credential.
8. What are the benefits I receive as an Associate member?
Along with all of the benefits that you receive as a general AHG member, each Associate member’s information is listed in an internal member’s only website directory. Associate members have access to exclusive networking opportunities at the annual Symposium and through quarterly meet-ups to discuss business development and participate in clinical roundtables. Associate members may also use a distinctive badge to promote themselves and their work.
9. How do I set up my directory listing and get my AM badge?
To set up the directory listing, Associate members first enter their information directly into the contribution page. This form will prompt Associate members to enter their type of affiliated health professional, specialty, organization, contact info, website, and picture.
To edit this listing, Associate members will log in to the American Herbalists Guild website, click on the Member Menu and click on the Associate Member Directory. Associate members can locate their listing via searching the page or scrolling and can then edit it from there.
To download your badge, log into the website as an Associate Member, then go to Member Menu --> Associate Member Badges, or click here.
10. Will I get discounts for webinars and the annual Symposium?
Yes. Refer to general member benefits for the details on these discounts.
11. Can the documentation of my Associate member training be used again if I apply to be a Registered Herbalist?
Yes, the documentation of your training can be cited again when you apply for the Registered Herbalist designation. In fact, this approach is a good way to initiate the process of documentation.
12.. If I have completed Part 1 of the RH application accepted, is that adequate documentation for Associate membership?
Yes, you can upload proof of acceptance of Part 1 of your Registered Herbalist application to satisy the Associate membership criteria.
1. Why should I become an Associate member?
The Associate member category was conceived to acknowledge those individuals from a variety of vocations related to the field of herbalism, who have achieved an intermediate level of training and experience. This distinction also includes those dedicated herbalists who are not interested in becoming clinical herbalists, who work in related fields, and who have made significant contributions to the field of herbalism.
2. Is this a credential membership?
No, Associate member is not a credential. An Associate member is not a mark of competency in clinical practice as the RH (Registered Herbalist) title is. This new membership category acknowledges individuals from a variety of vocations related to the field of herbalism, including those who may become RH (Registered Herbalists) in the future.
3. How does this differ from the RH membership?
This category acknowledges a broad definition of contributions to the field of herbalism. Although Associate members are asked to submit minimal evidence of their work and study, this membership category is not peer-reviewed for educational and practice standards. While the Associate membership may function as a stepping stone to the advanced RH membership, it also stands alone as an intermediary category.
The RH credential is committee-reviewed, specific to clinical herbal practice, and requires 1200+ hours of study in a variety of aspects of herbal medicine. RH is still considered the highest standard for clinical herbalism offered within the AHG. The RH credential offered through the American Herbalists Guild is an acclaimed and widely recognized credential that may be acquired through 1200+ hours of study in a variety of aspects of herbal medicine. The RH designation is currently the only widely recognized committee-reviewed credential available to herbalists in the US. See the RH page for further requirement details.
4. How can I become an Associate member?
Prospective Associate members must acknowledge a statement of ethical guidelines and submit documentation of a minimum of two years of relevant herbal training or experience, averaging five hours or more per week (a total of approximately 500 hours). Associate members are also responsible for paying annual dues. Click here to join.
5. What if I already have a General membership and want to switch to an Associate membership?
You can join as an Associate Member at any time upon submitting the required documentation. Your Associate membership will be active for one year from the date that your General membership is set to expire. For example, a General membership that expires on 7/2022 can be renewed today to transition into an Associate membership which will expire on 7/2023.
6. I just renewed my General membership. Can I upgrade to Associate membership?
For those that have a new or renewed General membership from within the past three months, it is simple and cost-effective to transition to an Associate membership at a prorated rate. Please contact the office for more information.
7. How long after submitting my information will I receive a response regarding my Associate membership status?
As soon as our system acknowledges receipt of your materials and your annual dues, you will receive an Associate member welcome letter via email and be able to access your benefits. Note that although Associate members are asked to submit adequate evidence of their work and study, this membership category is not peer-reviewed for educational and practice standards as is the RH credential.
8. What are the benefits I receive as an Associate member?
Along with all of the benefits that you receive as a general AHG member, each Associate member’s information is listed in an internal member’s only website directory. Associate members have access to exclusive networking opportunities at the annual Symposium and through quarterly meet-ups to discuss business development and participate in clinical roundtables. Associate members may also use a distinctive badge to promote themselves and their work.
9. How do I set up my directory listing and get my AM badge?
10. Will I get discounts for webinars and the annual Symposium?
Yes. Refer to general member benefits for the details on these discounts.
11. Can the documentation of my Associate member training be used again if I apply to be a Registered Herbalist?
Yes, the documentation of your training can be cited again when you apply for the Registered Herbalist designation. In fact, this approach is a good way to initiate the process of documentation.
12.. If I have completed Part 1 of the RH application accepted, is that adequate documentation for Associate membership?
Yes, you can upload proof of acceptance of Part 1 of your Registered Herbalist application to satisy the Associate membership criteria.