(Re-) Introducing the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission
You may know, accreditation is a critical step on the journey toward recognition and licensure for Ayurveda in the US. In September 2018, the National Ayurvedic Medical Association Accreditation Commission (NAMAC) was formed as a division of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA). In August 2021, NAMAC launched as a separate organization and in March 2023 the organization rebranded as the Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC).
As with any health profession, it is important that each of the three pillars to support professionals and provide consumer safety are strong, independent bodies. In US-based Ayurvedic medicine, these pillars are accreditation of educational programs (AAC); certification of individuals’ competency to practice (National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board, NAMACB); and professional membership organizations (NAMA and other local/state associations) to support and help grow the profession. The collective goal to be federally recognized by the US Department of Education requires that AAC demonstrates viability as an independent organization, fully autonomous, and free from any conflicts of interest.
AAC, a diverse organization with a mandate to represent the interests of all stakeholders in the Ayurvedic community, currently has directors and advisory council members from a number of stakeholder groups. AAC currently has 21 Ayurvedic education programs with Candidacy for Accreditation status, and looks forward to welcoming more schools to this list in the coming months.
AAC invites all members, friends, followers, and supporters of NAMA to the AAC website and learn more about their vision and mission. If you’d like more information on AAC, please reach out to Lisa Cavallaro, AAC’s Executive Director at info@ayurvedicaccreditation.org.
NAMA and AAC are looking forward to strengthening partnerships, raising awareness, and building a bright future for Ayurvedic professionals around the country!