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 Shepherd Hangar – The Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy, FL
• Jade Schutes – 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.
• The 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.
• 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 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 Shepherd Hangar – The Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy, FL
• Jade Schutes – 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. 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 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 could be 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.

• 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 the ARC. A database of Registered Aromatherapists will be maintained by the ARC and may be reported in its 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 alternative requirements as are in effect at that time. ARC may determine that evidence of continuing education may be sufficient, however this has not been determined at this time.

• Registration
• Purposes of registration
• Eligibility
• Administration
• Attainment of registration and re-registration
• 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)

A Candidate Handbook is available at no charge from the Professional Testing Corporation, 1350 Broadway, Suite 800, New York, NY 10018; (212) 356-0660. The Candidate Handbook may be downloaded at http://www.ptcny.com/ Simply click the “ARC – Registration Examination in Aromatherapy” to access a pdf copy of the candidate handbook that may be downloaded.

The Candidate Handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the following:

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.

Items (questions) came from the examinations submitted to the Steering Committee, 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 ptcny@ptcny.com

• 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, from different regions of the United States.
• All test items are checked for appropriateness, geographic fairness, and 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://ptcny.com/test-sponsors/arc/.

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.

• The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, Battaglia – ISBN 0-646-20670-2
• Clinical Aromatherapy in Nursing, Buckle – ISBN 0-340-63177-5
• Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, Price – ISBN 0-443-04975-0
• 375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols, Rose – ISBN 1-883319-89 7
• Medical Aromatherapy: Healing with Essential Oils, Schnaubelt – ISBN 1-883319-69 2
• The Aromatherapy Practitioner Reference Manual, Sheppard-Hanger – ISBN 0-9643-14-10-X Available through Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy atlanticinstitute.com
• Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals, Tisserand – ISBN 0-443-05260-3
• Structure and Function of the Body, Thibodeau & Patton – ISBN 0-323-01081-4
• The Practice of Aromatherapy, Valnet – ISBN 89281-398-9
• Plant Aromatics: A Data and Reference Manual, Watt – No ISBN listed. Available through Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy atlanticinstitute.com
• The Chemistry of Essential Oils, Williams – ISBN 1-870228-12-X

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 and is currently underway for the December exam.

PTC provides testing services for over 50 professional bodies in the US. PTC recommends an objective assessment method. It is considered the fairest, most objective, unbiased method of testing. Most 50 professional bodies administered by PTC use this multi-choice format for examinations.

The ARC™ Registration Examination in Aromatherapy is administered during an established two-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 sites in 159 other countries around the globe. Scheduling is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. To find a testing center near you visit:

Find Instructions here | Find Test Centers here

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 an Eligibility Notice from PTC.

Once your Application has been received and processed, and your eligibility verified, you will be mailed an Eligibility Notice within 6 weeks preceding the start of the testing period. The Eligibility Notice plus current, government-issued photo identification must be presented in order to gain admission to the testing center. A candidate not receiving an Eligibility Notice at least three weeks before the beginning of the testing period should contact the Professional Testing Corporation by telephone at (212) 356-0660.

The Eligibility Notice will indicate where to call to schedule your examination appointment as well as the dates in which testing is available. Appointment times are first-come, first-serve, so schedule your appointment as soon as you receive your Eligibility Notice in order to maximize your chance of testing at your preferred location and on your preferred date.

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

It is the candidate’s responsibility to call PSI to schedule the exam appointment.
Special testing arrangements may be made for individuals with special needs. Submit the Application, examination fee, and a completed and signed Request for Special Accommodations Form, available from www.ptcny.com or by calling PTC at (212) 356-0660. Requests for individuals with special testing needs must be received at least EIGHT weeks before the testing period begins.