Landmark Roundtable Discussion About the Future of the Ayurvedic Profession in the U.S. Held at NAMA’s 2025 Conference
Many in the Ayurvedic profession share a growing sense of urgency around establishing greater recognition and advancing the growth of Ayurveda in the United States. With shifts occurring in the broader healthcare landscape, many believe the time is ripe to take strategic steps toward enhanced legal recognition and professional legitimacy. In May, an interactive roundtable session brought together key stakeholders who play pivotal roles in shaping the legal and professional future of Ayurveda in the U.S.
This session, titled Smart Steps Toward Licensing and Enhancing Professional Recognition for Ayurveda was held on May 2, 2025 as an open pre-conference session at the 21st annual National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) Conference, which was cohosted by the Texas Ayurveda Professionals Association (TAPAS) at the Marriott Las Colinas in Irving, Texas.
The following is a summary of the session.
Who Participated
The workshop was moderated by Daniel Seitz, JD, EdD, an independent consultant with deep expertise in the development of emerging healthcare professions. He provided a neutral and informed perspective from outside the Ayurvedic field, guiding the discussion toward lessons learned from other healthcare professions and smart steps Ayurveda can consider.
The panel featured delegates from national and regional Ayurvedic organizations, certification and accreditation bodies:
S. Prasad Vinjamury, MD (Ayurveda), DACM, MPH – Chair, NAMA Certification Board
Vaidya Ashlesha Raut, BAMS, MD Ayurveda, NC, HHP, BCIM, RYT-200, AD – President, Ayurveda Union of the Midwest
Dhanada Kulkarni, BAMS, LMT, BCIM, CYEd, CCRP – President, Texas Ayurveda Professionals Association
Anupama Kizhakkeveettil, BAMS, MAOM, LAc, C-IAYT, FAIHM, PhD – Board Member, California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine
John Kepner, MS, MBA, C-IAYT – Treasurer, National Ayurvedic Medical Association
Heather Grzych, ADLC, MA (Ayurveda) – President, National Ayurvedic Medical Association
Melissa Camacho, ADLC, LAc, DipOM – Ayurveda Professionals of Arizona
Heather Burkart, CAP, CPT, E-RYT (500), YACEP – Ayurvedic Association of Wisconsin
Anisha Durve, DOM, AD – Ayurveda Association of Florida
Heidi Crocker, DC, EdD, C-IAYT – Accreditation Manager, International Association of Yoga Therapists
Jim Ventresca, DOM – President, Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission
Approximately 40 additional participants attended the session, many of whom actively engaged in a passionate and productive roundtable dialogue. The workshop focused on the legal landscape for healthcare professions in the U.S., including the implications of licensing, the roles of certification and accreditation, and the need for more targeted strategic advocacy, public education, and research to elevate Ayurveda’s standing.
The insights shared in this session help illuminate where the profession currently stands, the structural and communication challenges it faces, and what steps may be needed to move Ayurveda forward in a unified and sustainable direction. The session was open to all conference attendees, who were invited to listen, learn, and ask questions throughout the discussion.
All of NAMA’s state affiliates with cooperation agreements were invited to participate, as well as Ayurvedic Accreditation and Certification bodies, and the International Association of Yoga Therapists. It is important to note that two organizations were also invited to participate – National Certification and Credentialing Board for Ayurvedic Medicine (NCCBAM) and International Council for Ayurveda Accreditation (ICAA) – which have reportedly aimed for the BAMS practice of Ayurveda in the U.S. to remain solely aligned with Ministry of AYUSH standards instead of collaboratively exploring ways to potentially integrate Indian and U.S. standards, but both organizations declined the invitation.
Discussion Summary
This forward-thinking session explored the critical question of how the Ayurvedic profession can advance toward broader professional recognition and potential licensure within the U.S. healthcare system. Through a mix of presentations, facilitated dialogue, and survey insights, participants examined the challenges and opportunities in professionalizing the field while preserving its roots and accommodating a diverse practitioner base.
NAMA president Heather Grzych shared results from a recent NAMA member survey, revealing strong consensus on the need to build a more robust evidence base for Ayurveda and to advocate for safe harbor or healthcare freedom laws that protect unlicensed practitioners. The survey results also showed there was less agreement around pursuing licensure, especially concerning who should be licensed and what standards should apply.
Facilitator Dan Seitz provided an overview of the typical pathway for emerging professions seeking formal recognition, stressing that all entities must build at a rate that is sustainable for the field. He pointed out that accreditation and certification must be distinct functions and professionally managed, and how it’s good that AAC is independent and the goal is that NAMACB also becomes independent when financially viable. He urged both AAC and NAMACB to carefully consider seeking third-party recognition from agencies such as the U.S. Department of Education, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) – steps that could enhance credibility and expand access to federal student aid.
Case studies from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), naturopathic medicine, yoga therapy, and certified nutrition specialists were presented to highlight effective models for professionalization. For instance, TCM began with modest training standards and gradually built toward master’s-level education and board certification. Nutrition specialists gained traction through NCCA accreditation, while U.S. Department of Education recognition helped legitimize naturopathic programs.
Participants also examined persistent challenges in the Ayurvedic field, including:
Lack of clinical research and data
Public and professional misunderstanding of Ayurveda’s scope and legitimacy
Inconsistent professional identity
Differing views on minimum standards for the U.S., despite NAMA and AAC already establishing minimum standards
Multiple, sometimes competing organizations with divergent goals
Limited communication and public awareness efforts
Underdeveloped career pathways
Lack of professional insurance coverage
There was strong alignment around the need to strengthen Ayurvedic schools, launch a coordinated awareness campaign, and build consensus around existing competency-based education frameworks. While such frameworks already exist, participants emphasized the importance of agreeing on shared competencies and ensuring consistent application across educational pathways to solidify the profession’s identity and enhance credibility.
Actionable ideas included forming a stronger schools body, designating local Ayurveda advocates in each state, exploring ways to strengthen the U.S. certification process to make it eligible for NCCA accreditation, continuing to reach out to all Ayurveda organizations in the U.S. to encourage dialogue aimed at building consensus on how to move the profession forward, and adopting proven communication/marketing tactics from fields like chiropractic, acupuncture and naturopathy in order to strengthen public awareness and acceptance.
Addendum: Potential Next Steps
Remove the obstacles to acceptance of Ayurveda as a healthcare profession in the U.S., including the persistent challenges above, through:
