Licensing & Regulation
Why Ayurveda Should Be Regulated and Licensed
Ayurvedic medicine, utilizing the unique mind-body-soul concept, has a time tested significant impact on a person’s overall health and well-being. In the last few years, there has been a heightened interest in ayurvedic medicine globally. In this case the public has a right to expect that ayurvedic professionals have adequate qualifications needed to practice effectively and safely. Therefore, legal recognition of the practice of ayurvedic medicine and clearly-stated requirements to practice are essential to promote the profession and to protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public.
- Legal recognition of ayurvedic medicine in the form of state licensure creates standards of minimum competency. Competency is measured and enforced through formal education, training, and examination requirements.
- Legal recognition of ayurvedic medicine ensures that individuals have met the eligibility requirements needed to practice ayurvedic medicine and that they are qualified to represent themselves to the public as state licensed ayurvedic professionals.
- By providing a legal definition of the scope of practice of ayurvedic medicine, professional licensure helps consumers identify the responsibilities and services unique to an ayurvedic professional. It allows consumers to select the most appropriate ayurvedic professional for their needs and brings the benefit of open access to the selection process.
- Legal recognition of ayurvedic medicine through licensure protects the public in several ways. It establishes a consistent standard of practice which is enforceable by a professional code of ethics. In addition, it establishes a formal grievance process for consumers that helps prevent unethical and/or non-compliant ayurvedic professionals from continuing to practice.
- The following are provided as per the guidelines of AYUSH, Government of India Health & Family Welfare, the World Health Organization (benchmarks for training in Ayurveda), NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine), and Mayo Clinic:
AYUSH, Government of India Ayurvedic Training Guidelines
WHO Benchmarks for Training in Ayurveda
NCCAM Introduction to Ayurveda
Mayo Clinic - Ayurvedic Medicine: Ancient Approach to Balance Life, Health
Licensing & Regulation Board
Shekhar Annambhotla, BAMS, Doctor of Medicine in Ayurveda, LMT, RYT (Pennsylvania)
Rucha Kelkar, BAMS, MPT (California)
Manjula Paul, BAMS, Doctor of Medicine in Ayurveda (New York)
Pratibha Shah, BAMS, Doctor of Medicine in Ayurveda, MPH (Massachusetts)
Sunita Tarkunde, BAMS, Doctor of Medicine in Ayurveda, RN (Texas)
Lina Thakar, BAMS (Pennsylvania)
© Copyright 2010, Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America (AAPNA)