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Alternative Healthcare Practitioner, Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practitioner
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
Interest in analyzing information provided by patients concerning health problems and disorders
Interest in handling varieties of herbs used as sources of healing; may sell these herbs
Interest in instructing patients on the proper use of herbs to treat disorders
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Herbology is the study of plants and their health benefits. It comes from western, Indigenous, traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic (East Indian) traditions.
Herbalists may:
Clinical herbalists work one-on-one with clients. Their role depends on where they work and what type of herbology they practice. In general, they:
Clinical herbalists work in clinics. They have specialized education and expertise.
Practical herbalists work in herbal or health food stores. They answer customer questions and make suggestions. They may also process herbs or make products, supervised by a senior herbalist.
Hours of work vary and may include some evenings and weekends. Sometimes, clients call herbalists for advice outside of regular working hours.
Herbalists need to have:
They should enjoy:
The practice of herbology is not regulated in Alberta. There are no standard minimum education or training requirements. However, practising herbalists strongly recommend education or training in herbology, nutrition, anatomy and physiology.
The Ontario Herbalists Association reviews training programs offered across Canada and lists approved programs on its website. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective herbalists should discuss their training options with practising herbalists.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field. For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Related Education
Three and 4-year programs in Traditional Chinese Medicine may include courses in herbology (for more information, see the Acupuncturist occupational profile).
Professional membership is available on a voluntary basis from the Alberta Herbalists Association (AHA).
Self-employed herbalists may need to have a municipal business license. They should also have some form of malpractice insurance.
Herbalists work in:
Herbalists are often self-employed and build their own client base. They may be employed by others or set up their own shops or private practices. Some herbalists:
Advancement in this occupation generally takes the form of building a larger client base or offering other alternative health services (such as recommending diet and lifestyle changes, or doing bioresonance therapy).
Herbalists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 3232: Practitioners of Natural Healing. In Alberta, 75% of people employed in this classification work in the Health care and social assistance [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, the 3232: Practitioners of natural healing occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.3% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 20 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Practical herbalists employed in health food stores or other retail outlets earn hourly wages similar to other retail salespersons (for more information, see theoccupational profile).
Treatment fees charged by self-employed clinical herbalists vary considerably. Their take-home pay for any given period depends on the number of clients they see and their overhead costs (such as the cost of renting office space). Some herbalists supplement their incomes by selling products from dispensaries.
Canadian Herbalist’s Association of British Columbia website: www.chaofbc.ca
Ontario Herbalists Association website: ontarioherbalists.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 16, 2018. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.