Frequently Asked Questions

The “Purdue initiative” was the name given to a group of people involved in the aromatherapy industry who took the Aromatherapy program at Purdue in 1996 and 1997. The group showed concern for:

• A perceived lack of education standards in the aromatherapy industry
• Instances of unsafe practices
• The prospect of the FDA regulating the sale of essential oils if the FDA perceived a need to act to protect public safety
• The prospect of governmental regulation if the industry was not able to provide a self-regulation system.
• The lack of any independent credential available to a person in the industry.

The Steering Committee was established in 1997 by the people involved with the Purdue Initiative. The Steering Committee’s goal was to address the issue of educational standards in Aromatherapy in the United States.

The Steering Committee consisted of unpaid volunteers working on projects in the member’s spare time. The first steering committee meeting was held at Synergia in Boston, in October 1997. The members of the Steering Committee were (in alphabetical order):

• Jane Buckle – RJ Buckle and Associates, NY
• Valerie Cooksley – The Institute of Integrative Aromatherapy, WA
• Mynou de Mey – The American Institute for Aromatherapy, NY
• Charla Devereux, NORA NY & UK
• Victoria Edwards – Leydet Aromatics, CA
• Eva-Marie Lind, American Alliance of Aromatherapy, Australasian College of Health Sciences, OR
• Mindy Green – Herb Research Foundation, Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Studies, Green Scentsations, CO
• Cheryl Hoard, NAHA, MO
• Elizabeth Jones, NAHA, CA
• Laraine Kyle – The Institute of Integrative Aromatherapy, CO
• Rob Pappas – Adjunct Professor at Indiana University, The Essential Oil University, The Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy, IN
• Dorene Petersen – The Australasian College of Health Sciences, OR
• Carolyn Sajdecki – The College of DuPage, IL
• Sylla Sheppard-Hanger – The Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy, FL
• Jade Shutes – The Institute of Dynamic Aromatherapy, WA
• Karen Sellers, NAHA, TX
• Erika Yigzaw (nee Petersen), Australasian College of Health Sciences, OR

The Steering Committee considered ways that these concerns could be addressed. Possibilities included developing a prescriptive core curriculum, forming a council of schools, establishing a voluntary national register and creating a voluntary national exam, or leaving things as they were.

The members determined that a voluntary registration council would best address these concerns for several reasons:

• A registration council could be nonprofit, and independent from any industry membership body, educational facility, or other organization. This would enhance credibility both within the industry and from outside the industry.
• A registration council could work towards National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accreditation, which would further enhance recognition from outside the industry.
• A registration council could sponsor a voluntary examination to test the core body of knowledge that is aromatherapy at the present time.
• Creating formal self-regulation through a voluntary exam and register would promote the interests of the entire professional aromatherapy community by illustrating to regulatory bodies that the aromatherapy industry was sufficiently mature to self-regulate, and therefore avoid the perception that external regulation was needed.
• A registration council could provide a public register of Aromatherapists who had demonstrated a core body of knowledge through successfully passing the examination.
• A registration council would enhance the credibility and visibility of aromatherapy to the public and other medical professionals. By demonstrating the aromatherapy industry’s commitment to safety standards and ethics, a greater degree of confidence could be created in the value and safety of aromatherapy.
• The voluntary exam could be open to self-taught members of the industry and would not require that people take a program at any school (note that this has since changed). It would therefore be inclusive and not divide the industry.
• The voluntary exam would test core knowledge but would not restrict practitioners in the industry from specializing in any aspect of aromatherapy.
• As the registration council expanded and funds became available, it could make information on safe practices in aromatherapy available to the public through its website.
• As the registration council expanded and funds became available, it could also sponsor an industry newsletter covering issues of importance to the industry, including safety standards, practice standards, legal and regulatory issues, professional employment opportunities, and the direction of the aromatherapy market.
• The members of the Steering Council determined that creating a prescriptive core curriculum would unnecessarily restrict development of the aromatherapy industry. In addition, curriculum-based assessment is not in compliance with NCCA.

The Steering Committee requested final examinations from all educators within the field of Aromatherapy with a view to determining whether a common body of knowledge existed and, if so, creating the exam along with grading guidelines for National standards.

The educators and schools that contributed their final exams were (in alphabetical order):

• Jane Buckle – RJ Buckle and Associates, NY
• Valerie Cooksley – The Institute of Integrative Aromatherapy, WA
• Mynou de Mey – The American Institute for Aromatherapy, NY
• Victoria Edwards – Leydet Aromatics, CA
• Mindy Green – Herb Research Foundation, Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Studies, Green Scentsations, CO
• Laraine Kyle – The Institute of Integrative Aromatherapy, CO
• Danilla Mansfield – Aroma Vitae, CA
• Rob Pappas – Indiana University, The Essential Oil University, The Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy, IN
• Dorene Petersen – The Australasian College of Health Sciences, OR
• Carolyn Sajdecki – The College of DuPage, IL.
• Sylla Sheppard-Hanger – The Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy, FL
• Jade Shutes – The Institute of Dynamic Aromatherapy, WA
• Karen Sellers – NAHA level 1, NAHA level 2
• Patricia Hall, Vice-President & Education Director, Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists, Ottawa Canada

In 1999, the Steering Committee established the Aromatherapy Registration Council® (ARC), a Public Benefit, Non-Profit Oregon Corporation. ARC is in compliance with requirements for its nonprofit status and all Board members are unpaid volunteers. The Aromatherapy Registration Council is registered under the Charitable Trust and Corporation Act, administered by the Charitable Activities Section of the Oregon Department of Justice and the Attorney General. ARC’s registration number is 28942. ARC has been determined by the IRS to be tax exempt under category 501(c)(6). Copies of documentation are available to view in person and copies are available on request for a small charge to cover the cost of copying. Please email your request to ARC at gro.licnuocyparehtamoraobfsctd-264c67@ofni.

• The Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC) is independent from any membership body, organization, or educational facility. This assures an impartial and unbiased body distinct from a body where members pay to belong to it and from one that accredits or endorses specific schools. Independence from any paid membership organization is essential for objectivity and credibility from both within the industry and externally.
• The Aromatherapy Registration Council is nonprofit. This enhances credibility both within the industry and from outside the industry.
• ARC could work towards NCCA accreditation, which would further enhance recognition from outside the industry.
• ARC sponsors a voluntary examination to test the core body of knowledge that is aromatherapy at the present time with an emphasis on public safety.
• The ARC voluntary exam emphasizes an aromatherapist’s knowledge of public safety issues and promotes the interests of the entire professional aromatherapy community by illustrating to regulatory bodies that the aromatherapy industry is sufficiently mature to self-regulate and does not need to be regulated from outside or above.
• ARC provides a public register of Aromatherapists who have demonstrated a core body of knowledge through successfully passing the examination and reregistering every five years.
• ARC enhances the credibility and visibility of aromatherapy to the public and other medical professionals. By demonstrating the aromatherapy industry’s commitment to safety standards and ethics, a greater degree of confidence is created in the value and safety of aromatherapy.
• The voluntary exam tests core knowledge but does not restrict practitioners in the industry from specializing in any aspect of aromatherapy.

• Recognizing formally those individuals who meet the eligibility requirements of the Aromatherapy Registration Council and pass the ARC Registration Examination in Aromatherapy.
• Encouraging continued personal and professional growth in the practice of aromatherapy.
• Establishing a code of ethics (now the ARC Disciplinary Policy).
• Establishing and measuring the level of knowledge required for registration in aromatherapy.
• Providing a standard of knowledge requisite for registration; thereby assisting the employer, public, and members of other professions in the assessment of the Aromatherapist.
• Promoting delivery of safe and effective practice of Aromatherapy through registration of Aromatherapists.

Candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of knowledge about Aromatherapy to pass the exam. Eligible candidates who have achieved a passing score on the ARC Registration Examination in Aromatherapy will receive a certificate from ARC. A database of Registered Aromatherapists is maintained by ARC and is linked in ARC publications and on its website.

Registration for Aromatherapists is recognized for a period of five years. At that time, to retain registration the candidate must either retake and pass the current Registration Examination or meet the current continuing education requirements.

A Candidate Handbook is available at no charge from the ARC website. The Candidate Handbook may be downloaded at: https://aromatherapycouncil.org/arc-handbook/ Simply click on the button for the most recent handbook on the page linked above to access a pdf copy of the candidate handbook that may be downloaded.

The Candidate Handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the following:

• Registration
• Purposes of registration
• Eligibility
• Administration
• Attainment of registration and reregistration
• Revocation of registration
• Application procedure
• Completion of application
• Testing center information
• Requests for special testing centers
• Fees
• Refunds
• Schedule for examination
• Admission to testing
• Rules for the examination
• Reports of results
• Confidentiality
• Content of examination
• Content outline
• Sample examination questions
• Recommended references
• Code of Ethics (now the ARC Disciplinary Policy)

ARC recommends that anyone considering the examination process obtain a copy of this handbook.

The exam fee is $370.00. This covers Registration for candidates who pass the exam for a period of five (5) years.

ARC, in combination with PTC, has chosen an objective assessment method using a multiple-choice format for the exam. The ARC Examination is a computer-based examination comprising a maximum of 250 multiple-choice questions with a total allowed testing time of four hours.

Multiple choice questions and the testing process are designed to test the candidate’s knowledge through both the correct answer and through using distractors (wrong answers). Answers can be referenced in the recommended texts and are objectively verifiable. The questions are general in nature and focused on safety.
A practice and competency-based process is a subjective assessment which was determined not to be desirable. Multiple choice questions objectively test a base body of knowledge. They do not resemble day to day responsibilities or replace education, case studies, or practical experience.

The final examinations reviewed by the Steering Committee showed a clear common, core body of underpinning knowledge throughout the United States and Canada within the comprehensive field of aromatherapy. Questions from final examinations from recognized aromatherapy schools form part of the “item bank” and are used as the pool from which the exam questions are drawn. The process each item (question) goes through is explained further below. Subsequently, the exam leading to ARC registration is broad-based, covering the generally acceptable body of knowledge of Aromatherapy. It is applicable to more than one profession.

Items (questions) come from the examinations submitted to PTC, from educators, and from item reviewers. All items are put through an intensive item review process by PTC in conjunction with ARC. Any member of the industry is invited to submit items to PTC for review. Anyone interested in submitting items can obtain guidelines from PTC. Email PTC directly at moc.ynctpobfsctd-14f109@ynctp

All items are confidential and no one outside of PTC has any knowledge of where questions come from nor do they see exams in their entirety. ARC Board members only are allowed to review and screen individual items (proposed questions) that are being considered for the pool of questions from which the ARC exam will be drawn.

• All items (proposed exam questions) are carefully screened to ensure that questions based on subjective assessment are not used.
• Items are also reviewed by a variety of people from various Aromatherapy backgrounds and professions, and from different regions.
• All test items are checked for appropriateness, geographic fairness, relevance to the body of knowledge required by the content outline, clarity, and accuracy.
• All test items are supported by current texts and articles.
• All questions can be verified in current literature. Despite controversial topics, the Steering Committee, ARC, and PTC have determined there is a core body of knowledge that is common throughout the profession that is able to be tested.
• Controversial subjective issues are not included in the exam.

All the questions are reference-based. The references are standard Aromatherapy texts and examples are listed in the Aromatherapy Registration Council: Examination Candidate Handbook.

The content of the ARC Registration Examination in Aromatherapy will be weighted in approximately the following manner:

1. Basic Concepts of Aromatherapy 20%
2. Scientific Principles 30%
3. Administration 35%
4. Professional Issues 15%

PTC uses a comprehensive approach to setting passing scores. There will be approximately 250 questions. Within 4-5 points of the passing score, the test will be hand scored to ensure there are no errors in the scanning of the answer sheets.

Detailed information and example questions are included in the Candidate Handbook. The Candidate Handbook may be downloaded at: https://aromatherapycouncil.org/arc-handbook/.

A list of recommended texts and sample questions is provided in the Candidate Handbook and is duplicated here. All topics covered in the exam have been verified in multiple sources of literature.

• Battaglia, S. (2018). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy (3rd ed.). Brisbane, Australia: Black Pepper Creative. ISBN: 9780648260608
• Bowles, J.E. (2004). Chemistry of Aromatherapeutic Oils (3rd ed.). Australia: Allen & Unwin. ISBN: 9781741140514
• Buckle, J. (2015). Clinical Aromatherapy: Essential Oils in Healthcare (3rd ed.). London: Churchill Livingstone. ISBN: 9780702054402
• Clarke, S. (2008). Essential Chemistry for Aromatherapy (2nd ed.). Edinburgh, UK: Churchill Livingstone. ISBN: 9780443104039
• Damjanov I., Morovic Perry, A., Perry, K. (2021). Pathology for the Health Professions (6th Ed.) London, UK:Saunders. ISBN: 978-0323654128
• Fioravanti, K (2018) The Art, Science and Business of Aromatherapy: Your Essential Oil & Entrepreneurship Guide (2nd ed.) Selah Press. ISBN-10: 069204647X
• Husnu, k., Baser, C., & Buchbauer, G. (2020). Handbook of Essential Oils Science, Technology, and Applications (3rd Ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. ISBN: 9780815370963
• Greenhalgh, T. (2019). How to Read a Paper: The Basics of Evidence-based Medicine and Healthcare (6th Ed.) Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN: 9781119484745
• Kusmirek, J. (2002). Liquid Sunshine: Vegetable Oils for Aromatherapy. Somerset, England: Floramicus Publishers. ISBN: 9780954329501
• Lewith, G. T., Jonas, W. B., Walach, H. (2010). Clinical Research in Complementary Therapies: Principles, Problems and Solutions (2nd Ed.) London, UK: Churchill Livingstone. ASIN: B0058RXL8S
• Lis-Balchin, M. (2006). Aromatherapy Science: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London: Pharmaceutical Press. ISBN: 9780853695783
• Marie, D. (2000). Making Aromatherapy Creams & Lotions: 101 Natural Formulas to Revitalize & Nourish Your Skin. North Adams, MA: Storey Books: ISBN: 9781580172417
• McConnell, T. H. (2013). The Nature of Disease: Pathology for the Health Professions: Pathology for the Health Professions. (2nd Ed.) Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. ISBN: 9781609133696
• Patton, K.T., & Thibodeau, G.A. (2020). Structure and Function of the Body (16th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby. ISBN: 9780323597791
• Price L. & Price S. (2008). Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy and Massage (4th ed.) Stratford-ipon-Avon, UK: Riverhead Publishing. ISBN: 1874353026
• Price L. & Price S. (2004). Understanding Hydrolats: The Specific Hydrosols for Aromatherapy – A Guide for Health Professionals. London, UK: Churchill Livingstone. ISBN: 0443073163
• Price, S. & Price, L. (2019). Aromatherapy for Health Professionals (5th ed.). New York, NY: Elsevier. ISBN: 9780702074738
• Rhind, J.P. (2019) Essential Oils: A Comprehensive Handbook for Aromatic Therapy (3rd ed.) London, UK: Singing Dragon. ISBN: 9781787752290
• Rhind, J.P. (2019) Aromatherapeutic Blending London, UK: Singing Dragon. ISBN: 9781848190900
• Rose, J. (1999). 375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols. Berkeley, CA: Frog Ltd. ISBN: 9781883319892
• Schnaubelt, K. (1999). Medical Aromatherapy: Healing with Essential Oils. Berkeley, CA: Frog Books. ISBN: 9781883319694
• Shutes J. & Siegmund-Roach S. (2022). The Carrier Oil Palette. Columbia, SC: Aromatic Studies. ISBN: 9781737233169
• Tisserand, R., Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals, 2nd Edition. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone. ISBN: 9780443062414
• Tortora, G. J. & Derrickson, B. H. (2020) Principles of Anatomy and Physiology (16th Ed.) Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. ISBN: 978-1119662792
• Valnet, J. (1982). The Practice of Aromatherapy. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press. ISBN: 9780852071434
• Waugh, A. & Grant, A. (2022). Ross & Wilson Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness (14th Ed.) London, UK: Elsevier. ISBN: 978-0323834605

PTC is responsible for the reliability of the exam. All questions are subjected to the item review and exam review process, where they are reviewed, evaluated, and referenced based on appropriateness, currentness, clarity, and correctness. All items are also subjected to item analysis after the test has been administered and before candidates receive their scores. This process begins before each examination reaches its final form.

PTC provides testing services for dozens of professional bodies in the US. PTC recommends an objective assessment method. It is considered the fairest, most objective, unbiased method of testing. Most tests administered by PTC use this multi-choice format for examinations.

The ARC Registration Examination in Aromatherapy is administered during an established three-week testing period on a daily basis, Monday through Saturday, excluding holidays, at computer-based testing facilities managed by Prometric. Prometric has several hundred testing sites in the United States and Canada, as well as sites in 159 other countries around the globe. Scheduling is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. To learn more and find a testing center near you visit: https://aromatherapycouncil.org/registered-aromatherapist/test-dates/

or call Prometric at 1-800-741-0934.

Please note: Hours and days of availability vary at different centers. You will not be able to schedule your examination appointment until you have received a Scheduling Authorization from PTC.

It is highly recommended that each candidate becomes familiar with the testing site.