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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.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
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.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
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
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
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 for this NOC group 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.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Herbalists need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 73 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jan 29, 2022 and Jun 19, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Provide other alternative forms of health care to patients | 36 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Advise patients on the use of herbs for the treatment of conditions | 33 |
| Construction Specialization: Client focus | 27 |
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 26 |
| Work under pressure | 26 |
| Tasks: Manipulate or apply pressure to various parts of the body, hands and feet | 26 |
| Chinese medicine | 25 |
| Construction Specialization: Judgement | 25 |
| Attention to detail | 23 |
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 22 |
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.
3- and 4-year programs in Traditional Chinese Medicine may include courses in herbology (for more information, see the Acupuncturist occupational profile).
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
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.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Herbalists work in:
Herbalists may work for others or set up their own private practices and client base. Some herbalists:
Advancement in this occupation generally takes the form of building a larger client base or adding new alternative health services. For example, herbalists might offer diet and lifestyle coaching or provide bioresonance therapy (an electromagnetic energy treatment).
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Practitioners of natural healing
2016 NOC: 3232
87.0% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Practical herbalists employed in health food stores or other retail outlets earn hourly wages similar to other retail salespersons (for more information, see the retail salesperson occupational 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 office rental. Some herbalists supplement their incomes by selling products from dispensaries.
Alberta Herbalist Association website: albertaherbalists.com
British Columbia Herbalists Association website: www.bcherbalists.ca
Canadian Council of Herbalist Associations website: herbalccha.org
Herbalist Association of New Brunswick website: www.haofnb.ca
Herbalist Association of Nova Scotia website: herbalns.org
Ontario Herbalists Association website: ontarioherbalists.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2024. 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.
