About ARC

For a chronological history of the Aromatherapy Registration Council, we invite you to visit our frequently asked questions section.

In 1999, the Steering Committee for Education Standards in Aromatherapy in the United States voted to establish the Aromatherapy Registration Council (“ARC”), a Public Benefit, Non Profit Oregon Corporation. ARC is in compliance with requirements for its non profit status. 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 contact@aromatherapycouncil.org.

The Aromatherapy Registration Council was formed for the following reasons:

• The Aromatherapy Registration Council 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 would enhance credibility both within the industry and from outside the industry.
• A registration council could work towards NCCA accreditation, which would further enhance recognition from outside the industry.
• The registration council could sponsor a voluntary examination to test the core body of knowledge that is aromatherapy at the present time (assuming that a core body of knowledge could be determined), with an emphasis on public safety.
• 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 did not need to be regulated from outside or above.
• The Registration Council could provide a public register of Aromatherapist who had demonstrated a core body of knowledge through successfully passing the examination.
• The Registration Council will 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 in aromatherapy could be created in the value and safety of aromatherapy.
• The voluntary exam was initially open to self-taught members** of the industry and would not require that people take a program at any school. 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. 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 SC 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.

**Original eligibility standards have changed please see current eligibility requirements