Associate Membership is a subcategory of General Membership, designed for individuals who have dedicated substantial time and effort to careers involving medicinal plants. This subcategory encompasses a broad range of professions, including herb cultivation, herbal product manufacturing, teaching, research, client consultation, and more. By using the term “Associate Member,” we aim to bring together these diverse paths and demonstrate a shared commitment to utilizing medicinal plants in various ways.
The Associate subcategory seeks to enhance visibility and recognition for this rewarding career path. It is intended to inspire other plant and environmental enthusiasts to consider herbalism as a viable profession and to join the AHG community, connecting with herbalists nationwide. The creation of the Associate Membership subcategory was driven, in part, by requests from numerous medical professionals who view herbal medicine as an allied field, even if they are not fully immersed in clinical herbalism. We aim to accommodate these professionals through this subcategory, in response to the significant positive feedback we have received.
Associate Members Include:
- Intermediate-level clinicians who haven’t yet completed the required clinical hours for RH membership.
- Career herbalists who specialize in non-clinical roles.
- Practitioners in other fields related to clinical herbalism and allied health providers with herbal training.
- Students graduates from herbal schools across the country who meet the criteria for this designated membership category.
- Individuals who have been actively working in the herbal field for a considerable period and have made significant contributions to the field of herbalism.
Benefits:
Associate members enjoy all General benefits, plus:
- Recognition of your professional specialty via our internal member’s only website directory
- Networking opportunities and roundtables specific to Associate members (business development and clinical roundtables TBA)
- Associate member badge
Associate Member FAQs
1. Why should I become an Associate member?
The Associate member subcategory was conceived to acknowledge those individuals from a variety of vocations related to the field of herbalism, who have achieved an intermediate level of training and experience. This distinction also includes those dedicated herbalists who are not interested in becoming clinical herbalists, who work in related fields, and who have made significant contributions to the field of herbalism.
2. Is this a credential membership?
No, Associate member is not a credential. An Associate member is not a mark of competency in clinical practice as the RH (Registered Herbalist) title is. This membership subcategory acknowledges individuals from a variety of vocations related to the field of herbalism, including those who may become RH (Registered Herbalists) in the future.
3. Is Associate membership its own category of membership?
Associate Membership is a subcategory of General Membership, designed to offer an expanded range of benefits at a distinct price point—perfect for those seeking a deeper connection and added value within our community.
4. How does this differ from the RH membership?
This subcategory acknowledges a broad definition of contributions to the field of herbalism. Although Associate members are asked to submit minimal evidence of their work and study, this membership category is not peer-reviewed for educational and practice standards. While the Associate membership may function as a stepping stone to the advanced RH membership, it also stands alone as an intermediary subcategory.
The RH credential is committee-reviewed, specific to clinical herbal practice, and requires 1200+ hours of study in a variety of aspects of herbal medicine. RH is still considered the highest standard for clinical herbalism offered within the AHG. The RH credential offered through the American Herbalists Guild is an acclaimed and widely recognized credential that may be acquired through 1200+ hours of study in a variety of aspects of herbal medicine. The RH designation is currently the only widely recognized committee-reviewed credential available to herbalists in the US. See the RH page for further requirement details.
5. How can I become an Associate member?
In order to qualify as an Associate member, you must submit documentation reflecting a minimum of two years of training or experience, averaging five hours or more per week (a total of approximately 500 hours) and acknowledge the statement of ethical guidelines.
You can document your membership qualifications by submitting information according to the options below:
- Certificate of Completion from an herbal school or training program. This document must include the name of the school and instructor(s), the name of the course or program, and the number of hours of the course or program.
- Documentation from a supervisor, teacher, mentor, or program coordinator. If you work in an herbal education program, as a veterinary herbalist, at an herb shop, on an herb farm, or do other types of work that are directly focused on herbal skills, your work hours may apply. Please ask your employer or mentor to provide information that specifies the skills you have obtained in this workplace and the number of training hours this represents. This can include a supervised clinical setting.
- Contracts for speaking, teaching, or herb-based work. If you teach workshops in your community, present at an herb conference, etc, these hours may apply. You can submit a copy of your contract or work agreement.
6. What if I already have a General membership and want to switch to an Associate membership?
You can join as an Associate Member at any time upon submitting the required documentation. Your Associate membership will be active for one year from the date that your General membership is set to expire. For example, a General membership that is set to renew on 7/2025 can be renewed today to transition into an Associate membership which will expire on 7/2026.
7. I just renewed my General membership. Can I upgrade to Associate membership?
For those that have a new or renewed General membership from within the past three months, it is simple and cost-effective to transition to an Associate membership at a prorated rate. Please contact the office for more information.
8. How long after submitting my information will I receive a response regarding my Associate membership status?
As soon as our system acknowledges receipt of your materials and your annual dues, you will be able to access your benefits. Note that although Associate members are asked to submit adequate evidence of their work and study, this membership category is not peer-reviewed for educational and practice standards as is the RH credential.
9. What are the benefits I receive as an Associate member?
Along with all of the benefits that you receive as a general AHG member, each Associate member’s information is listed in an internal member’s only website directory. Associate members have access to exclusive networking opportunities at the annual Symposium and through quarterly meet-ups to discuss business development and participate in clinical roundtables. Associate members may also use a distinctive badge to promote themselves and their work.
10. How do I get my AM Badge and set up my directory listing?
To set up the directory listing, Associate members first enter their information directly into the contribution page. This form will prompt Associate members to enter their type of affiliated health professional, specialty, organization, contact info, website, and picture.
To edit this listing, Visit the “My Listings” page in the account menu in the AHG Directory. Then click “Manage Listing” in your listing. If you do not see your listing, scroll to the bottom of the page and create a new one, or contact support@americanherbalistsguild.com
To download your badge, log into the Member Portal and visit the Associate Membership space and click Associate Member Badge.
11. Will I get discounts for webinars and the annual Symposium?
Yes. Refer to general member benefits for the details on these discounts.
12. Can the documentation of my Associate member training be used again if I apply to be a Registered Herbalist?
Yes, the documentation of your training can be cited again when you apply for the Registered Herbalist designation. In fact, this approach is a good way to initiate the process of documentation.
13. If I have completed Part 1 of the RH application accepted, is that adequate documentation for Associate membership?
Yes, you can upload proof of acceptance of Part 1 of your Registered Herbalist application to satisfy the Associate membership criteria.
Disclaimer: The Associate Member designation is a subcategory of General Membership and is not a credential or mark of clinical competency like the Registered Herbalist (RH) title. Although Associate Members provide minimal documentation of their study and practice, this category is not peer-reviewed and does not indicate that the member has met formal educational or clinical standards. The RH remains the highest professional standard within the AHG, requiring 1,200+ hours of herbal education and representing the only widely recognized committee-reviewed credential for herbalists in the U.S.