In most states the answer is no.  If you are a state or nationally licensed or certified mental health professional, you are already licensed to use modalities of treatment for health and wellness, and hypnosis is a traditional method of helping, endorsed by the ACA, APA and AMA. 

Florida is the only state we know of that requires licensed/certified professionals to complete a minimum of 50-hours of Board approved coursework to practice hypnotherapy, and Indiana is the only state we know of that licenses hypnotists. 

It is true that in most states individuals without licensure can practice hypnosis, however our courses are primarily designed for those with a counseling, social work, medical or professional helping industry background.  

Our Clinical Hypnosis Certification program meets the criteria for basic Certification by the ICBCH. Participants who successfully complete the program will receive a certification valid for two-years from the ICBCH.

Certified Hypnotist (C.Ht.)
This title is reserved for associate members of the ICBCH and is the most basic level of recognition. The requirements for associate membership and certification include payment of annual fee and completion of our live or homestudy 20-hour certification program. This level of certification is designed for those who are not licensed as mental health professionals, but have learned the 5-stages of the hypnotic process and use hypnosis primarily to enhance personal life goals and to help people achieve the physical and mental benefits of hypnosis.

Certified Professional Hypnotist (C.P.H.)
This title is for those who intend to or are practicing hypnosis professionally. Requirements for this level of certification include completion of our basic 20-hour certification program, plus an additional 30 hours of ICBCH approved training.  Members of the ICBCH who are certified by another professional organization with substantially similar training requirements may apply for CPH status through reciprocity.

Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist (C.H.T.)
In most states the practice of "therapy" or use of the word "therapy" is legally reserved for those with licensure or certification in a mental health or medical related discipline. The ICBCH will award status as a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist only to those who are certified or licensed by a state or recognized national board in healthcare, medical or mental health professions. ICBCH members who complete our 20-hour homestudy or live certification and are licensed or certified by an acceptable organization or state licensing board will be designated as Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists.

ICBCH Diplomate Status
Diplomate status is reserved for those who are ICBCH certified as Clinical Hypnotherapists (CHT) or Professional Hypnotists (CPH) and complete 100 hours of hypnosis instruction through the ICBCH or another recognized provider.    

Single online and instructional DVD courses may qualify as continuing education courses, but they do not apply towards Certification through the ICBCH; only our live and 20- and 30-hour multi-media programs do.

Why certify those who are not mental health professionals at all?
The reason is simple: Many unlicensed professionals use hypnosis for non-medical purposes and some hold unique expertise in their field that makes them more qualified to use hypnosis for certain applications than a therapist.   

One example comes from the fitness field: Personal fitness trainers and coaches know their clients and utilize strategies to assist them with personal health-related goals or in competitive situations. They are not doing therapy, but they are helping people, and they should have access to clinically solid training. Another example: Golf pros use the skills of hypnosis to assist players in developing focus and concentration, and we recognize that when people interested in hypnosis aren't allowed access to quality programs, they will find programs that are less than quality to teach them what they want to know.

The International Certification Board of Clinical Hypnotherapy is a professional association that recognizes and hypnosis certification programs. It was created to set standards of excellence, and to promote clinical hypnotherapy and related fields of social science. Its broadest goals are to insure quality training opportunities and help enhance the standing of clinical hypnotherapy. Its narrower focus is to assist individuals and organizations in being recognized for achieving a level of quality within the field of hypnotherapy. The ICBCH certified professional is governed by a professional code of ethics.