There are NO national standards for hypnosis practitioners and neither special training nor a license is required. This means that there are no minimum standards and that anyone can devise a training program. Upon completion of a plan of study, the standards of which are set by the certifying organization, the individual may be awarded a certificate that says he is a "Certified Hypnotist" or "Certified Hypnotherapist". This may require attendance at a 1 or 2 day (or 1 or 2 hour) seminar, and NO test of competency. Note: There are NO regionally or nationally accredited colleges or universities which grant "degrees" in hypnotherapy.

A practitioner may boast impressive-looking "certifications" and "credentials" from organizations whose requirements for "certification" may, at the very least, be minimal or dubious. Many of these organizations are simply "membership" organizations, whose primary requirement is payment of the annual fee. (Membership requirements can be researched online).

If you have issues that take more than 1 or 2 sessions to resolve, then you are likely receiving psychotherapy or mental health counseling as well as hypnosis. If you are being treated for anxiety, phobias, depression, etc., you should check your practitioner's credentials carefully. Is he/she trained and licensed to treat these conditions?

Standards of accreditation can, and do, vary widely with accrediting agencies. As the consumer, you have the right (and the obligation) to ask questions about education, training, license, and experience.

Remember
LICENSE, REGISTRATION and CERTIFICATION
do NOT mean the same thing.

Standard For:	License	Registration	Certification
Education	Successful completion of undergraduate & graduate program of study from an approved & accredited college or university	No training or education required	Varies
Supervision/ Internship	Clinical supervision or internship/ residency as required by the discipline	None required	None required
Examination	Successful completion of a standardized written and/or oral examination	None required	Varies
References	Professional & personal references	None required	None required
Background	Attestation that he/she is not a convicted felon	Attestation that he/she is not a convicted sex offender, & has no criminal record involving assault or misappropriation of property	None required
Required Registration and Fees	Annual fee to the State Dept. of Health (Licensing Division)	Annual fee to the State Dept. of Consumer Protection	None
Continued Education	Required annually	None required	Varies

Click on CHOOSING A HYPNOTHERAPIST for a list of professional organizations requiring state licensure.