How to become a homeopath: training and registration by country

At a glance: routes by country

USA: CHC, NASH and ACHENA

• Council for Homeopathic Certification (CHC) awards the CCH (Certified Classical Homeopath) credential by examination. Graduates of ACHENA-accredited or approved programmes apply with their transcript. Graduates of other and international programmes go through a Pre-Qualification Evaluation, which looks for 1,000 hours of training (500 hours of theory and 500 hours of clinical training, including at least 10 supervised cases with two follow-ups each) and college-level anatomy and physiology and human pathology. Candidates must be in the USA or Canada on exam day.
• North American Society of Homeopaths (NASH) offers registered membership with the RSHom(NA) designation. Holders of the CCH apply by submitting five independently taken and followed chronic cases.
• ACHENA (Accreditation Commission for Homeopathic Education in North America) accredits homeopathy schools and programmes of at least 1,000 hours.

For the IACH programme in North America and a full US guide, see how to become a homeopath in the USA at Vithoulkas College.

United Kingdom: Society of Homeopaths, ARH and the Faculty of Homeopathy

• Society of Homeopaths: after a Society-recognised course you can apply for full membership and the RSHom designation, subject to its membership requirements. International courses can be recognised through its SIRS scheme.
• Alliance of Registered Homeopaths (ARH): registered membership is open to graduates of courses accredited by the Independent Homeopathy Association, holders of a BHMS or DHMS degree, and through an individual route for other qualifications. The ARH itself does not accredit courses.
• Faculty of Homeopathy: offers training and qualifications to statutorily regulated healthcare and veterinary practitioners, such as doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists and vets. The 2-year IACH Diploma holds a Quality Assurance certificate from the Faculty of Homeopathy (see recognition).

For the UK programme and a full UK guide, see how to become a homeopath in the UK at Vithoulkas College UK.

Australia: AROH tier registration

The Australian Register of Homoeopaths (AROH) accredits courses and lists them on its accredited courses page. Graduates of an accredited course may be eligible to register, at the tier AROH sets for that course and subject to its other requirements.

• The IACH two-year e-learning course is listed by AROH as an international provider (registration valid until 01/03/2029).
• On graduation, IACH students may apply for Tier 2 registration after completing a clinic log of at least 20 initial and 20 follow-up consultations under the supervision rules in AROH's listing, and the knowledge test on Australian legislation for ingestible complementary medicines.
• The E-Learning Course is also accredited by the Australian Homoeopathic Association (AHA).

Studying from Australia? IACH's AROH-accredited route →

New Zealand: NZ Council of Homeopaths and NZQA

• The New Zealand Council of Homeopaths is the professional body for registered homeopaths; registered members use the RCHom designation. It has validated the IACH E-Learning Course, so graduates can apply directly for registration in New Zealand, subject to meeting individual registration requirements.
• The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has assessed the IACH Diploma in Classical Homeopathy as equivalent to 30 credits at Level 6 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework.

Germany: DZVhÄ

The DZVhÄ (Deutscher Zentralverein homöopathischer Ärzte) is the German association of homeopathic physicians. Its training centres on the DZVhÄ Homöopathie-Diplom, with separate qualifications for dentists, veterinarians, midwives and pharmacy. The 2-year IACH E-Learning Program is accredited by the DZVhÄ (registration number 2023-0191-ZV), and its students receive 20 credits for continuing education. This section covers the route for physicians; other practitioners in Germany should check the rules that apply to them.

What to study first

Whichever country you are in, every route starts with solid training in classical homeopathy: theory, materia medica, case taking and analysis, and supervised cases. The IACH two-year e-learning course with Prof. George Vithoulkas covers about 750 hours over two years (300 hours of lectures, 300 hours of study and 150 hours of clinical practice).

• Health professionals can take the Diploma examinations directly; others first complete the Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology course. The Diploma also requires ten of your own cases with six months of follow-up. See the conditions of participation.
• The IACH Diploma certifies the knowledge acquired through the course; it does not by itself grant the right to practise homeopathy. Laws differ by country, and meeting them is each student's responsibility.
• Already a doctor, dentist, vet, pharmacist or nurse? See the course page for doctors and health professionals.

The easiest first step is the free 10-day trial: sample lectures by Prof. Vithoulkas, with no obligation to register for the full course.

Start the free 10-day trial

Sources

Checked on 25 October 2026.

• Council for Homeopathic Certification: eligibility requirements
• North American Society of Homeopaths: registered membership
• ACHENA: accreditation
• Society of Homeopaths: training to become a homeopath
• Alliance of Registered Homeopaths: join the ARH
• Faculty of Homeopathy: how to join
• Australian Register of Homoeopaths (AROH): accredited courses
• New Zealand Council of Homeopaths: professional registration
• New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)
• DZVhÄ: Homöopathie-Diplom
• IACH: recognition and accreditation of the E-Learning Course