Ontario Herbalists Association

Promoting safe & natural healing with plants since 1982

Continuing Professional Development

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements are set at 40 (forty) hours by October 31st, 2024 for the 2024 – 2025 Membership Year renewal. An hour of credit time equals an hour of actual time spent at a particular activity. For example, a four hour seminar would equal four hours of credit. Each year, professional members are asked to send in their completed hours of credit and proof (a photocopy/scan of a certificate or receipt or a brief description of a free seminar) with their renewal of membership. The OHA reserves the right to ensure that credits listed by members have actually been completed and that their content provides a valuable learning experience. Exemptions to these requirements will be determined on a case by case basis.

Category A

Core subject seminars, classes and apprenticeships:
(one hour of credit per hour of activity up to a maximum of thirty hours, excluding meals and breaks)

  1. OHA seminars and lectures
  2. Post-graduate apprenticeships/ training with professional herbalists
  3. Herbal courses from OHA list of schools on the OHA website (in-class or distance learning)
  4. Other herbal courses presented by professional members of: Ontario Herbalists Association, American Herbalists Guild, American Botanical Council, National Institute of Medical Herbalists, or other professional herbal organizations in other provinces or countries (in-class or distance learning)
  5. Attending external seminars, conferences, workshops, courses or apprenticeships led by professional health practitioners (e.g. naturopaths, doctors, nutritionists, homeopaths, psychotherapists, pharmacists, professors, etc.).

Category B

Adjunct classes, primary research, developing professional skills,​developing courses and publishing:
(one hour of credit per hour of activity up to a maximum of twenty hours, excluding meals and breaks)

  1. Taking courses that help you build your herbal practice, e.g. public speaking, small business courses, Bach flower remedies, homeopathy, massage therapy, aromatherapy, first aid/CPR, nutrition, sustainable and ethical harvesting or plant conservation, medicine-making, or learning of a similar nature (through in-class or distance learning or webinars).
  2. Documented research projects in herbal medicine or related health field
  3. Research that culminates in a manuscript or written work
  4. Research that culminates in developing course work or teaching or education materials
  5. Writing as a contributing author in a larger academic work for publication
  6. Writing for publication in professional peer-reviewed publications
  7. Research that extends materia medica knowledge (e.g. new herbs from other herbal traditions, or different herbal preparations)
  8. Advancing your botanical skills by: planting herb gardens, research on growing specific medicinal plants, conservation projects, or learning of a similar nature.
  9. Developing skills in: communication, marketing & promotions, teaching, business, financial management, etc.

Category C

Teaching, mentoring, volunteering, and reading (or listening to audiobooks):
(one hour of credit per hour of activity up to a maximum of 20 hours)

  1. Teaching, leading or facilitating classes, workshops, presentations, events, and activities in herbal medicine or related health fields, including leading herb walks and writing blog posts or articles
  2. Attendance at OHA Annual General Meetings and OHA Professional Members Committee meetings
  3. Participating in OHA committees, subcommittees or other OHA volunteer activities
  4. Mentoring post-graduate apprenticeships
  5. Supervising clinical hours* in herbal medicine for students
  6. Reading that relates to any aspect of herbal practice including pathology, human physiology, etc. (bibliography must be submitted)
  7. Participating in practitioner groups, clinical case review or roundtable discussions, or collaborative work in group projects with other herbalists or health practitioners

* RHs who are supervising clinical hours must have 7 years of experience in clinical practice. See document about guidelines for supervision for more information.

 

Awareness Training: As voted on by the Professional Membership in September 2021, one hour minimum of Awareness Training will be required for all Professional Membership renewals. Click here for some suggested resources.

The OHA has compiled a list of resources that may help contribute to CPD credits. Click here for more information.

Fill out the form below, or download, print and mail/email the Continuing Professional Development Record of Hours.

Continuing Professional Development Record

Minimum credits required: 40 hours, including 1 hour Awareness Training. Photocopies of certificates and/or receipts and bibliography (if applicable) must be submitted. Please list each activity under the appropriate category, together with the hours completed. (Continue on a separate page if necessary).

Category A (Core subject seminars, classes, apprenticeships):
Category B (Adjunct classes, primary research, developing courses, publishing):
Category C (Teaching, Mentoring, Reading, OHA Meetings):
VOLUNTEER HOURS ACCUMULATED
Awareness Training (More Info):
Copy of receipt or certificate
Maximum upload size: 67.11MB