No, you do not need to be certified through a formal aromatherapy accreditation board (such as NAHA or AIA) to ethically and safely integrate aromatherapy into your existing clinical or therapeutic practice. Aromatherapy is unlicensed in the United States and is often practiced within the context of another profession such as nursing or massage.

That said, it’s essential to have:

• A strong foundational education in essential oil safety, dilution, and appropriate use

• A clear understanding of your scope of practice as a licensed or certified professional (and whether physical touch requires a license, such as massage)

• The ability to properly document and communicate how aromatherapy is used in a way that supports your primary modality (e.g., counseling, coaching, nursing, bodywork)

Most therapists, social workers, coaches, nurses, LMTs use aromatherapy as an adjunctive tool:

• To support nervous system regulation

• To help set the tone or container for a session

• To empower clients with simple self-regulation techniques

You do not need to be a board-certified aromatherapist to do this safely, ethically, or effectively, but you do need to understand and aspire to professional standards of care.

This course exists to provide practitioners who are already proficient in anatomy, physiology and health care a solid introductory foundation into using aromatherapy techniques to complement their existing practice.

All our courses are self-paced, fully online, and accessible anytime, so you can complete them as quickly or slowly as you would like.

For the Aromatherapy course, allow roughly 8 weeks if you devote 2-3 hours per week, and if you’re busy, give yourself more time!

A thorough and comprehensive study utilizing all the material may take longer. For an introductory course, there is a wealth of information here that you can refer back to for years (and it's yours to keep forever with no time limit!).

There are no due dates and no required time in which to complete the course.

This course offers a professional certificate of completion, but it is not a full clinical aromatherapist certification (which typically requires 200–400 hours through a NAHA- or AIA-approved school). This course is ideal for clinicians who want to confidently integrate aromatherapy into their current work without becoming full-time aromatherapists.

 It is an introductory course and results in a certificate of completion but not a professional title or credential.

We offer a simple pass/fail system. You'll be given sample questions to guide you as you learn. Then, at the end of each module, you will be prompted to answer a brief quiz with 2 to 4 questions that require a 80% correct answer rate to pass. 

The point is to learn! I strive to make learning fun and enjoyable, so the quizzes are really to keep you accountable as you move through the program.

Also, I welcome questions by email at any point as well as 1:1 Zoom/virtual checkins with all my students.

Yes — this course blends current research, clinical aromatherapy best practices, and real-world experience using oils in mental health, somatic, and wellness settings. It’s trauma-aware, scope-appropriate, and practitioner-centered. You'll find a comprehensive listing of scientific resources in the Resource and Reference Packet in the Student Portal.

Yes, with two exceptions. The course includes specific protocols and strategies for different populations and concerns, such as anxiety, grief, trauma, sleep, focus, burnout, end-of-life and palliative care, post-natal/post-partum, and emotional regulation. You’ll learn how to adapt your approach for sensitivity and safety.

The two exceptions are perinatal (we do not advise essential oil use during pregnancy) and infant care (up to about age 2).

Not at this time, but you'll receive plenty of resources and support throughout the course itself, as well as the option for direct email connection with course instructor Holly Bellebuono at intervals throughout the course.

Yes, as long as you can access internet. Contact your bank or credit card provider to determine the exchange rate relevant to your location. Course prices on our website are listed in USD.

We do not provide scholarships or financial aid. We encourage you to seek out your local nonprofit civic organizations that may provide applications for financial aid that may support your education. Ideas include your local Rotary Club, Jaycees, your local Chamber of Commerce, and local churches.

You’ll learn the foundational safety and formulation skills to create simple blends and self-care tools (e.g., salves spritzers, lotions). If you’re planning to sell products, we recommend additional GMP and business-specific training which you'll find in our Holistic Business Masterclass.