Calling all Aromatherapists

The Regulation work towards voluntary self-regulation of the aromatherapy profession is now well underway. At a recent meeting the Department of Health stated that it is “generally supportive of the AC’s direction of travel”. Concerns expressed about full representation are shared by the Aromatherapy Consortium representatives who highlighted the work being done to bring the profession together. The QCA and Skills for Health said that they “would continue to involve the AC in developing National Occupational Standards and in the process of accrediting qualifications” and this would also include other professional bodies. A full transcript of these minutes is available on the AC website.

The AC Register

This is a voluntary register of competence for all aromatherapists practicing in the UK and costs just £25.00 per annum to join, the average cost of one treatment. The profession has agreed not to pursue Statutory Regulation at this time, but to concentrate on voluntary self-regulation first. This is why we need all aromatherapists to register themselves now; to show support for regulation of their profession which will give us the strength to move forward. If we do need to eventually pursue Statutory Regulation as a result of pressures on the essential oil trade from European legislation, then all aromatherapists wanting to practise will have to be registered.

“The more aromatherapists there are registered, the stronger the profession will be”

Many aromatherapists are already on registers so why do we need to be on another one? This is a single source register that members of the public and the health profession can recognise as being the one to use when seeking the services of an aromatherapist. Each association has its own register, but the public do not understand what the different letters mean and it is not always easy to know at what level someone has trained. GP’s also feel that they cannot refer patients because the therapy is unregulated and they are not assured of standards of competence. This register therefore shows that the aromatherapist is nationally recognised as competent at an agreed standard (NOS). You will use “AC Registered” behind your name as well as the initials denoting the association to which you belong, which will unify aromatherapists. It also gives us credibility and a single source for everyone to access when it comes to aromatherapy. This is not the regulatory register, it is a register to show support for regulation. The Consortium’s role is to set the structures for the regulatory body, which will be called the Aromatherapy Council. By setting up this register now it helps us to set the entry requirements for the eventual regulatory register. It also enables you to have available the necessary paperwork to make your application for the regulatory register as straightforward as possible.

What if I do not belong to a professional Association? We urge you to join an association so that you are then able to come onto the AC National Register. You need to belong to an association, which can be an aromatherapy association, or a statutory regulated body, just as long as you are covered by insurance for aromatherapy, a Code of Ethics and are answerable to Disciplinary Procedures. You can find a list of associations/organisations who can offer you membership on our website at www.aromatherapy-regulation.org.uk

Concerned about how Regulation will affect you? Regulation is for protection of both the aromatherapists and their profession and more importantly protection for the public at large. Up until now it has been difficult for people to choose an aromatherapist because, as stated above, they do not know what the letters are behind their names and of course there are so many different types of training from week-end introductory courses and internet courses all the way up to full-time diplomas and degree courses.

Therapists have voiced concern about regulation costing them too much money and preventing them from being able to afford registering with different disciplines, bearing in mind that therapists often practice more than one therapy. The AC is working with other therapy bodies to seek to minimise the costs. Registering now will help keep costs down as well as showing your support for regulation.

Why is Regulation necessary for me as an aromatherapist?

In a press release issued by us as the Aromatherapy Regulation Working Group two years ago (January 2002) it explains that “Given the increasing popularity of aromatherapy, it is vital for its continued development that the public has confidence and trust in those who practise it and are offered the protection they expect………… We expect that a fully regulated profession will increase access to treatment, including we hope, through the NHS.”

The Aromatherapy Consortium is the body that is developing the regulatory structure for aromatherapy and it is envisaged that once the work has been completed, we will be able to set up the Aromatherapy Council, which will be the voluntary self regulatory body for Aromatherapy in the UK. It is envisaged that Consortium can develop the structure for a Council within about 12-18 months, so aromatherapists will still be AC Registered under the Aromatherapy Council. The current register is therefore helping us to develop and pilot the standards, structures and costings for the eventual regulatory register.

You can download the application form on our website at www.aromatherapy-regulation.org.uk or telephone our office on 0870 7743477 to request a form be sent out in the post. Or you can write to us at:

The Aromatherapy Consortium, PO Box 6522, Desborough, Kettering, Northants NN14 2YX Tel/Fax: 0870 7743477 Website: www.aromatherapy-regulation.org.uk