Educational Program Listings
NAMA has set forth qualifying educational guidelines for all professional members that are now maintained by our sister organization the National Ayurvedic Medical Accreditation Council (NAMAC). These requirements indicate entry-level competencies into the profession by completing a NAMAC-recognized or accredited course of study.
Professional educational standards were set by NAMA over the course of many years to establish confidence in the profession, professionals and in the public eye. Standards were set to stand up to the scrutiny of other allied health professions. Among these standards are:
Minimum live in-person clinical and hands on education
Western Anatomy and Physiology pre/co requisite
Set number of “client encounter” per category
Minimum hours per program
Clearly defined course guidelines
Clearly defined Scope of Practice
NAMAC is now the educational oversight body for our professional educational programs. See their website here →
Ayurvedic Health Counselor
This category represents an entire field of Ayurvedic professionals versed and educated to serve the community in the area of prevention and health promotion with a focus on diet and lifestyle.
Pre/Co-requisite: 4 credits of college level anatomy & physiology or equivalent.
Contact Hours: AHC applicants must undergo a minimum of 600 hours of training and a minimum of at least 50 supervised client encounters.
Ayurvedic Practitioner
This category represents the Ayurvedic professional with full clinical training in disease pathology, as seen through the Ayurvedic model. These professionals also practice prevention and health promotion through the focus on diet and lifestyle.
Pre/Co-requisite: 6 credits of college level anatomy & physiology or equivalent
Contact Hours: AP applicants must undergo a minimum of 1,500 hours of training (can be inclusive of AHC graduated curriculum) and a minimum of 150 supervised client encounters (can be inclusive of AHC client encounters).
Ayurvedic Doctor
This category represents more specialized training in Ayurvedic medicine and overview training in western allopathic medicine to enable this level professional the skills and knowledge to provide an integrative medical approach to their patients.
Pre/Co-requisite: 6 credits of college level anatomy & physiology or equivalent
Contact Hours: AD applicants must undergo a minimum of 4,000 hours of training (can be inclusive of AHC and AP graduated curriculum) and a minimum of 300 client encounters (can be inclusive of AHC and AP client encounters).
*The use of the term “doctor” may be limited by individual state regulations. NAMA awards the membership title of Ayurvedic Doctor to designate the highest level of professional education in the USA.
Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist
This category represents a more specialized training in Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy to enable professionals to practice Yoga Therapy based on the Ayurvedic understanding of the nature of patient, the nature of imbalance and the nature of therapies, to promote healing, and achieve a harmonious state of body and mind with respect to individual.
Pre/Co-requisite: 200-hour yoga education, a minimum of an Ayurvedic Health Counselor education.
Contact Hours: 1,100 - 1,500 hours