Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association

 

Dedicated to Developing Responsible Herbal Practice Since 2002

 

 

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VBMA HERBALIST CERTIFICATION

The VBMA strives to establish a benchmark of competency to assist animal owners, farmers, and veterinarians in choosing a veterinary herbalist. Our certification process ensures that professionals meet the highest standards of expertise. Veterinarians who earn certification from the VBMA proudly carry the title of "Certified Veterinary Herbalist" (CVH). For non-veterinary herbalists, the title of "Certified Veterinary Herbalism Educator" (CVHE) is granted upon meeting our rigorous standards. To sit for the exam, non-veterinary herbalists must be VBMA members for at least 1 year, showcasing their commitment to the field.

 

Veterinarians who earn certification from the VBMA proudly carry the title of "Certified Veterinary Herbalist" (CVH)

 

For non-veterinary herbalists, the title of "Certified Veterinary Herbalism Educator" (CVHE) is granted upon meeting our rigorous standards. To sit for the exam, non-veterinary herbalists must be VBMA members for at least 1 year, showcasing their commitment to the field.

 

To obtain certification from the VBMA, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Successfully pass the comprehensive exam, which consists of 100-200 multichoice questions, with a minimum grade of 75%.

2. Submit three publication-quality case reports within 3 years. We strongly encourage candidates to consider publishing these reports for peer review.

3. Contribute a minimum of 10 test questions that can be utilized in future exams, helping to enrich the knowledge base of our community within 3 years.

 

These requirements ensure that certified veterinary herbalists possess a thorough understanding of the subject matter and can provide the highest level of care. The VBMA is committed to maintaining a standard of excellence within the field of veterinary herbalism, and we encourage candidates to meet these criteria as they pursue certification.

 

 

More information regarding the 2024 exam date coming soon!

 

 

Study Guide:

Veterinary herbalists are certified as possessing a high level of competence, and should be familiar with the science, traditional use, and energetics of herbs. The herbalist should stay abreast of the accumulating research on herbs, particularly studies in companion and food animals. Modern herbalism is indeed becoming a synthesis of many traditions, and since competent herbalists keep up with the emerging literature, it is expected that there will be some crossover between Western and Chinese herbs in their knowledge. An additional hint to help pass this test is to study where the same or similar plants are used in multiple traditions or systems.

 

Veterinary herbalists who are certified by VBMA are automatically eligible for consideration as a candidate for diplomate status.

 

 

CLICK HERE to download Herbalist Certification Exam Guide.

 

 

 

CERTIFIED VETERINARIANS (CVH) & CERTIFIED VETERINARY HERBALISTS (CVHE):

Susan Wynn (CVH)

Barbara Fougere (CVH)

Cindy Lankenau (CVH

 

 

VETERINARIANS & VETERINARY HERBALISTS PENDING CERTIFICATION

Those listed below have passed the exam and are pursuing the completion of additional qualifications.

 

Hue Karreman, DVM

Rona Sherebrin, DVM

Joyce Harman, DVM

Laurie Dohmen, DVM

Kris August, DVM

Emily Yunker, DVM

Elizabeth Shuler, DVM

Laura Pearson, DVM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VBMA Endorses Quality Herbal Products

 

VBMA recognizes that the herbal product industry has faced quality control and regulatory challenges, and we recommend supporting those companies attempting to self regulate in a meaningful way. Companies that manufacture herbal products marketed for humans should be members of the American Herbal Products Association, an industry organization which explores issues, interacts with regulators, and establishes policy.  Veterinary product companies should be members of the National Animal Supplement Council, an organization which develops policies and procedures on adverse event reporting and quality control.

All content © Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association (VBMA) 2023.

 

The VBMA is not affiliated with the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine (ACVBM).

 

 

 

Important Message For Pet Owners

 

The VBMA does not endorse any products sold on the internet for self prescribing to animals. We believe in the interests of safety that any herb should always be prescribed by a qualified practitioner. There are companies using our name with the suggestion that we endorse their recommendations or products. We specifically DO NOT support any website that unethically sells herbs to the public for non prescribed use in animals.  If you are in any doubt as to the authenticity of a claim made on a website about VBMA, please contact us at office@vbma.org. You may use the 'find a veterinarian' link on our site menu to find a qualified practitioner near you.

 

Dedicated to Developing Responsible Herbal Practice Since 2002

 

VBMA Endorses Quality Herbal Products

 

VBMA recognizes that the herbal product industry has faced quality control and regulatory challenges, and we recommend supporting those companies attempting to self regulate in a meaningful way. Companies that manufacture herbal products marketed for humans should be members of the American Herbal Products Association, an industry organization which explores issues, interacts with regulators, and establishes policy.  Veterinary product companies should be members of the National Animal Supplement Council, an organization which develops policies and procedures on adverse event reporting and quality control.

 

To Pet Owners:

 

The VBMA does not endorse any products sold on the internet for self prescribing to animals. We believe in the interests of safety that any herb should always be prescribed by a qualified practitioner. There are companies using our name with the suggestion that we endorse their recommendations or products. We specifically DO NOT support any website that unethically sells herbs to the public for non prescribed use in animals.  If you are in any doubt as to the authenticity of a claim made on a website about VBMA, please contact us at office@vbma.org.

All content © Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association (VBMA) 2022.

 

The VBMA is not affiliated with the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine (ACVBM).

 

Dedicated to Developing Responsible Herbal Practice Since 2002

VBMA Endorses Quality Herbal Products

 

VBMA recognizes that the herbal product industry has faced quality control and regulatory challenges, and we recommend supporting those companies attempting to self regulate in a meaningful way. Companies that manufacture herbal products marketed for humans should be members of the American Herbal Products Association, an industry organization which explores issues, interacts with regulators, and establishes policy.  Veterinary product companies should be members of the National Animal Supplement Council, an organization which develops policies and procedures on adverse event reporting and quality control.

 

To Pet Owners:

 

The VBMA does not endorse any products sold on the internet for self prescribing to animals. We believe in the interests of safety that any herb should always be prescribed by a qualified practitioner. There are companies using our name with the suggestion that we endorse their recommendations or products. We specifically DO NOT support any website that unethically sells herbs to the public for non prescribed use in animals.  If you are in any doubt as to the authenticity of a claim made on a website about VBMA, please contact us at office@vbma.org.

All content © Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association (VBMA) 2022.

 

The VBMA is not affiliated with the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine (ACVBM).

Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association

The VBMA seeks to provide animal owners, farmers, and veterinarians with some standard of competency by which to choose a veterinary herbalist.

 

Veterinarians certified by VBMA will earn the title "Certified Veterinary Herbalist".

 

Non-veterinary herbalists will earn the title "Certified Veterinary Herbalism Educator."

  • Non-veterinary herbalists wishing to sit for the exam must first become a member of the VBMA and
  • must have joined the VBMA a minimum of 4 months prior to the date of the test (to allow for proper vetting procedures to take place).

 

 

Certification by the VBMA will require:

 

  •         Passing the exam (100 - 200 questions) with a grade of at least 70%
  •         Submission of 3 case reports - publication quality, as we will encourage publication for peer review
  •         Donation of at least 10 test questions for future exams

 

The examination is administered yearly by VBMA. The exam is held every year where the VBMA holds their conference. The 2023 exam will be held at the AHVMA Annual Conference in San Diego. Non-refundable exam registration fee is $100.  If you're interested in taking the exam, please click the link below to apply and pay the registration fee online. THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS 7/31/23.

 

Apologies, but we do not accept applications to sit for the exam via email/snail mail, and we do not accept checks or money orders as payment.

 

 

CLICK HERE to complete the Herbalist Certification Exam Application.

 

 

 

Study Guide:

Veterinary herbalists are certified as possessing a high level of competence, and should be familiar with the science, traditional use, and energetics of herbs. The herbalist should stay abreast of the accumulating research on herbs, particularly studies in companion and food animals. Modern herbalism is indeed becoming a synthesis of many traditions, and since competent herbalists keep up with the emerging literature, it is expected that t here will be some crossover between Western and Chinese herbs in their knowledge. An additional hint to help pass this test is to study where the same or similar plants are used in multiple traditions or systems.

 

Veterinary herbalists who are certified by VBMA are automatically eligible for consideration as a candidate for diplomate status.

 

 

CLICK HERE to download Herbalist Certification Exam Guide.

 

 

 

CERTIFIED MEMBERS:

Susan Wynn

Barbara Fougere

Cindy Lankenau

 

 

PENDING MEMBERS*:

Hue Karreman

Rona Sherebrin

Joyce Harman

Laurie Dohmen

Kris August

 

*have passed the exam and are in the case report submission process