Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP)
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Program Overview - On demand
Meet our Enrollment Advisors and learn all the details of our AP program, from format to tuition.
Level II Advanced Ayurvedic Studies
900 Hours - 1.5 years
Students from all Ayurveda schools are welcome to expand your scope of practice with clinical study of the disease process. Kerala Ayurveda’s Ayurvedic Practitioner program is taught according to the traditional science and practice of Ayurveda, as outlined in the ancient Vedic texts. You’ll learn the etiological factors which contribute to the nature and structure of any disease and management techniques for the various disease stages.
Spring 2025 applications are open
- Upskill with one of the largest Ayurvedic schools in the U.S.
- Study the traditional teachings from the root ancient texts
- Learn from highly experienced faculty and clinicians
- Expand your professional potential with a global full spectrum Ayurvedic company
- Train on site in the U.S. or India to gain clinical encounters
- Graduate from an AAC-recognized program
Class starts May 5, 2025
Transferring from an equivalent program? Complete our Transfer App here »
Course Information
- Schedule: May 5, 2025 - November 5, 2025
- Estimated Time: 1.5 Years
- Hours: 900 Hours
- Format: Live Streaming and In Person
- In Person Location: Milpitas, CA
- Internship Locations: Milpitas, CA and Cochin, India
The AAC Track of the Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP) program is required to sit for the National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board (NAMACB) certification exam as an Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP). The Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC) sets competency standards for professional Ayurvedic education. All Online & Hybrid students may transition to the AAC Track with additional in person training hours, at an additional cost.
Prerequisites
- Completion of the AAC/NAMA approved Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC) or an equivalent program. AHC graduates can enter the AP program directly. Students who have completed a program equivalent to the AHC from other institutions will be required to undergo an interview process to determine their competency in Ayurvedic principles and practices.
- 90 Hours of Anatomy & Physiology is required for completion of the AP program, though it’s not required to join. Click here to learn more >
The AP program is an advanced certification with professional potential and is a prerequisite to our level III certification program (Ayurvedic Clinical Specialist).
Scope of Practice
Upon graduation, Ayurvedic Practitioners can:
- Perform Health History intakes, Ayurvedic Nutritional & Lifestyle consultations
- Determine and analyze a client’s unique Body Constitution
- Suggest food and lifestyle changes
- Recommend personalized Ayurvedic Therapies, Home Remedies, Yoga & Pranayama
- Explain, offer talks, write articles, and offer classes on Ayurvedic concepts
For more detail, please see the complete Scope of Practice: Ayurvedic Practitioner.
Professional possibilities
Take your practice to the next level with an Ayurvedic Practitioner certificate
Transform your wellbeing with profound self-understanding. You’ll gain knowledge that you can apply for a lifetime of greater wellness, success, and peace.
How can I apply this certification in my life?
- Start a wellness counseling business or align with other wellness professionals to create an integrative practice.
- Teach workshops and run wellness programs based on Ayurvedic principles for health and wellbeing.
- Apply your knowledge to cultivate a niche for your existing career. Any career can be healing when you combine Ayurveda with it! Our graduates include chefs, graphic designers, fitness instructors, accountants, engineers, educators, interior designers, entrepreneurs, and many other walks of life.
- Licensed Healthcare Practitioners and healers from all backgrounds can apply their Ayurvedic knowledge to enhance their current practice. This is the perfect complement for Yoga Teachers & Therapists, Medical Health Professionals, Nurse Practitioners, Medical Doctors, Chiropractors, Nutritionists, Dieticians, Reiki Practitioners and more!
- Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers can expand their services offering Ayurvedic techniques and deepen potential results for their clients.
- Estheticians may enhance their treatments, services, and products to include an Ayurvedic approach as well as target the root cause of common skin and beauty concerns.
- Get involved in Ayurvedic research projects. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health funds many research projects in holistic healthcare.
Schedule & Format
The Ayurvedic Practitioner program is designed to completed in 1.5 years and includes a combination of in person and virtual studies. Students may complete online recorded lectures and assignments at their own pace, following an in-depth clinical curriculum that supports their live class training. All students are required to attend an online internship as well as an in person internship in California or India.
General format
1.5 Years – 900 Total Hours
10 Weekend Intensives – in person or live streamed*
AP Clinical Internships – in person
1 AP Clinical Internship – live streamed*
30 Virtual Classes – live streamed
10 Monthly Clinical Case Discussions – live streamed*
5 Group Mentoring Sessions – live streamed*
Online Recorded Lectures – elearning: self-paced*
Assignments – elearning: self-paced*
*Internet connection required
Format Options
Hybrid
Weekend Intensives attended in person or via live streaming
Not AAC-recognized
AAC Track
Weekend Intensives attended in person
Weekend Intensives attend in person
*The AAC Track for the Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP) program is required to sit for the National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board (NAMACB) certification exam as an Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP). The Ayurvedic Accreditation Commission (AAC) sets competency standards for professional Ayurvedic education. All Online & Hybrid students may transition to the AAC Track with additional in person training hours, at an additional cost.
Schedule
Spring 2025 program begins May 5, 2025
Our Academy & Wellness Center
In person classes are offered at our flagship U.S. Academy and Wellness Center located in the heart of Silicon Valley, nestled between the golden-green East Bay Hills, majestic Santa Cruz Mountains and beautiful San Francisco Bay.
The Kerala Ayurveda office is located on the second floor and includes a spacious classroom for lectures, conference room, consultation and Panchakarma rooms, Wellness lounge for our clients and Panchakarma kitchen/restrooms for treatment use. Our building offers additional conference and auditorium spaces.
Amenities include free wifi, tea and spring water station, break room and ample parking space. The center is located near several hotels, restaurants and shopping centers, with widely available ride sharing options. Nearby airports include: San Jose International (SJC), San Francisco International (SFO) and Oakland International (OAK). Our Student Support team can provide more information and local guidance for planning your visit.
Live streaming technology
We introduced live streaming technology to our Ayurvedic education in 2015. Our classes are currently conducted using Zoom and provide students an opportunity to study live and interact with faculty. Zoom can be accessed on mobile, tablets, laptops and desktop devices. Class moderators support our larger class sessions to provide a smooth technical experience. All live streamed classes are recorded for later viewing in our elearning system.
Elearning
Our courses are powered by a robust elearning system that connects our global community of students and faculty. The elearning portal is where students may access all of their course information, materials and curriculum, including: course syllabus, schedule, coursed manual PDFs, class slide decks, class notes and links to live streaming class sessions. The elearning portal is also where tests and assignments are conducted, and students may submit questions.
Curriculum
The level II Ayurvedic Practitioner curriculum is based on the second goal of Ayurveda: Aaturasya Vikara Prashamanam, or Disease Management. In this program, the training emphasizes understanding and mapping the disease process for Ayurvedic management disease stages.
At this level, students deepen the foundations they learned for preventive health care with advanced clinical training. They’re taught and trained in clinical assessment of the disease process, the pathways of disease and management protocols in various stages of disease. With guided references to Ayurvedic texts, presentations, and case studies, students gain confidence and consistency in understanding the etiological factors that contribute to the nature and structure of any disease. With this knowledge, they will become skilled independent practitioners adept at creating management plans for different stages of disorders.
For more information about the curriculum, please consult the course catalog.
Topics
Advanced Ayurvedic Anatomy & Physiology
A more detailed exploration of level I principles of Doshas, Subdoshas, Dhatus, Malas and Agni pave the way for advanced practitioners to explore the Srotas, Kalas and Marmas.
Pathophysiology & Ayurvedic Diagnostic Methods
Ayurvedic disease management is based on a unique system. Students explore the five stages of disease identification, the six stages of the disease process, as well as examination methods.
Advanced Herbology & Ayurvedic Pharmaceutics
One of the unique scopes of practice for level II Ayurvedic Practitioners that differs from their level I Ayurvedic Health Counselor counterparts is their herbal knowledge and applications. Ayurvedic herbs and formulations are powerful and effective when used at the right time, in the correct amount and format, and for the right individual. This module covers advanced herbs and formulation uses, preparation and dosage.
Advanced Panchakarma Bodywork, Detoxification & Rasayana
Students deepen their knowledge of the complex Ayurvedic detoxification process as they learn to apply advanced clinical applications for disease management. This module includes detailed Panchakarma theory and procedures for all stages of the process, from preparation to post-rejuvenation.
Management of Systems Disorders
Several course modules address specific system disorders, including: Digestive System & Metabolic Disorders, Nervous System & Musculoskeletal Disorders, Respiratory System & Cardiovascular System Disorders, Skin, Special Senses & Mental Disorders, Reproductive & Excretory System Disorders, Gynecology & Pediatrics.
Ayurvedic Practice
Like all health providers, Ayurvedic practitioners learn from hands-on, clinical training and case study support. The AP program offers clinical experience in a variety of formats and settings, including in person immersions and internships.
Need more information or ready to apply?
Faculty
Kerala Ayurveda Academy offers a premier faculty lineup including Ayurvedic doctors and practitioners with vast clinical expertise in both India and the U.S. They are accomplished researchers, educators and speakers, and are passionate supporters of spreading the wisdom of Ayurveda to health seekers and professionals in training.
For more information about our Faculty, please visit our Faculty page.
Our students are for life
Student and alumni benefits
- MENTORING: Student Mentors available for enrolled students to support your learning journey. Our skilled mentors are trained and certified Ayurvedic practitioners who all love Ayurveda as much as they enjoy guiding others in learning it.
- COURSE SUPPORT: Our Student Support Services team is available anytime to assist with course administration, tuition management and planning your visits to our centers.
- EDUCATIONAL PLANNING: Enrollment Advisors on our Admissions team are available for 1-on-1 coaching to plan your Ayurvedic educational journey and support you in reaching your personal goals.
- ALUMNI DATABASE LISTING: Graduates are eligible to be listed in our online alumni database. Connect with your Ayurvedic peers and be part of a searchable database for health seekers to find Ayurvedic professionals!
- DISCOUNTS on Kerala Ayurveda courses, products and services.
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Kerala Ayurveda’s AHC Program Graduates
Graduates from all schools welcome!
Frequently Asked Questions
- The federal or state government or a loan guarantee agency may take action against the student, including applying any income tax refund to which the person is entitled to reduce the balance owed on the loan.
- The student may not be eligible for any other federal student financial aid at another institution or other government assistance until the loan is repaid.
NOTICE - Any holder of this consumer credit contract is subject to all claims and defenses that the debtor could assert against the seller of the goods or services obtained pursuant hereto or with the proceeds hereof, recovery hereunder by the debtor shall not exceed amounts paid by the debtor hereunder. Kerala Ayurveda Academy does not have a pending petition in bankruptcy, is not operating as a debtor in possession, has not filed a petition within the preceding five years, and has not had a petition in bankruptcy filed against it within the preceding five years that resulted in reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (11U.S.C. Sec. 1101 et seq.).
- The level I Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC) program is 600 hours.
- AHC is a prerequisite for the level II Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP) program, which is 900 hours.
- AP is a prerequisite for the level III Ayurvedic Clinical Specialist (ACS) program, which is 2,500 hours.
- Holistic Ayurvedic Coach (HAC) can be taken entirely online via live streaming. In person attendance is optional.
- Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC) offers a one 5-day in person practicum. The rest of the program can be attended in person or online via live streaming.
- Ayurvedic Practitioner and Ayurvedic Clinical Specialist (ACS) certification programs require partial in person attendance. They cannot be taken entirely online.
- Completion of the AHC, AP or ACS allow graduates to sit for the National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certification Board (NAMACB) certification exam as an Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC), Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP) or Ayurvedic Clinical Specialist (ACS). The National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) sets competency standards for professional Ayurvedic education.
- For all of our Training Porgrams, students are required to possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Holistic Ayurvedic Coach (HAC) and Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC) certification programs: no licenses or certifications in any field are required.
- Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP) requires an Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC) certificate or equivalent.
- Ayurvedic Clinical Specialist (ACS) requires a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent.
- Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC), Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP), and Ayurvedic Clinical Specialist (ACS) all require Anatomy & Physiology as a corequisite. This means that the A&P requirement can be fulfilled during the course and must be completed prior to completion to meet the graduation requirements. Learn more about the Anatomy & Physiology requirements here.