Many of our students at the UKCHH have questions about what they should consider when setting up their hypnotherapy business in the US.
We have put together the following information which outlines:
– how hypnosis is regulated in the US
-some associations you can consider joining
– some considerations for you marketing materials
-the use of Disclosure and Consent forms
-business licenses and links to some potential insurance companies.
How is hypnosis regulated in the US
In the US, as in many parts of the world, hypnosis is a self-regulated profession and does not qualify for state licensing. This means that you have the right to practice professional hypnosis regardless of professional licensure, education or certification.
What Professional Associations can you join?
There are many professional associations you could join, often set up in conjunction with specific training schools. The benefits they offer are commonly :
- Certification with the Association to establish your credentials & build your reputation
- Training either through additional education or access to research papers
- Networking opportunities with fellow members
- Information about licensing and legislative activities
- Client referrals through the Association listing
- Use of your association logo on your website or marketing materials
- A code of ethics
- Access to an industry Journal or Blog
- Access to Liability Insurance
- Member rates at conferences and seminars
It is important to remember however that hypnosis certification is a voluntary process of association and it would be wise to carefully consider exactly what the value is of joining a particular organization. Questions you may ask yourself are: who runs the organization; what is their mission; what is their therapeutic basis; how many members do they have; where are they based geographically; is their reach local/national or international; do they have standard codes of conduct and strict code of ethics; are the beliefs of this organization in line with your training; will an attachment to this organization enhance your professional status?
No state in the USA requires certification by any organization to practice hypnosis with clients. No certification is “recognized” by any state in the USA. Please note however that some states do have various registration requirements or explicit guidelines and these are referenced in the following section.
If you are a licensed healthcare worker and, at a minimum, hold a doctorate, PA Certification, APRN, CRNA, or master's degree in a healthcare discipline you may like to consider joining the following associations:
- American Society of Clinical Hypnosis www.asch.net
- Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis www.sceh.us
If you do not hold any other health care qualifications and have your CBH Diploma from the UKCHH you may like to consider:
- ICBCH www.hypnotherapyboard.com
- National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH) www.ngh.net
- International Council of Intergrative Psychotherapists https://www.the-icip.org/
- General Hypnotherapy Register https://general-hypnotherapy-register.com/
What are the Laws that Govern Hypnosis by State?
Following is a list of current states and the requirements. Be aware that these may change at any time so please keep up to date with current legislation and make sure any legal decisions about your practice are made in collaboration with your personal attorney.
| States that require registration: | Connecticut; Washington |
| States that have explicit guidelines: | California; Florida; Illinois; New Jersey; Texas; Utah |
| States that have no regulations | Alabama; Alaska; Arizona; Delaware; Arkansas; District of Columbia; Georgia; Hawaii; Idaho; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Mississippi; Missouri; Montana; Nebraska; Nevada; New Hampshire; New Mexico; New York; North Carolina; North Dakota; Ohio; Oklahoma; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Vermont; Virginia; West Virginia Wisconsin; Wyoming |
Frequently asked questions:
Are there any Laws I should be Aware of with Regard to Marketing Materials?
In California, there are specific guidelines regarding the treatment of medical conditions by therapists without medical or psychological training. These guidelines are valuable to consider regardless of the state you are in. If you intend to
practice hypnosis without a professional license in California, it is crucial to avoid using language in your marketing that
suggests you are providing a medical or psychological service. When promoting your services, it is advisable to clarify
that your services do not aim to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any medical condition. It is particularly important to steer
clear of terms such as psychology, psychiatry, and psychometry.
Additionally, references to medical or psychological disorders like OCD, Weight Loss, IBS, Insomnia, and Specific Phobias should be avoided.
Instead, you may opt to use terms such as:
• Transforming undesirable habits and behavioral patterns
• Developing motivation and achieving goals
• Stress management
• Personal problem-solving
• Developing self-hypnosis techniques
• Increasing self-confidence
• Public speaking
• Study skills
• Anger management
• Coping skills for pain management
• Developing deep relaxation skills
• Sleep issues
• Grief and coping with loss
These terms are more aligned with the scope of hypnosis practice for non-medical and
non-psychological professionals in California
What is a Disclosure and Consent Form?
In certain states, including California (due to Senate Bill SB-577 passed in September 2002), therapists are required to explicitly disclose specific information to their clients. This bill allows complementary and alternative health practitioners to advertise their services but mandates important disclosures to patients through a Disclosure and Consent Form.
While not explicitly required in all states, this practice is a sensible approach for therapists to protect both themselves and their clients. In California, required disclosures include:
• The practitioner is not a licensed physician
• The treatment is alternative or complementary to state-licensed healing arts services
• The services provided are not licensed by the state
• The nature of the services
• The treatment theory upon which the services are based
Additionally, the practitioner must obtain written acknowledgement from the client confirming they have received this
information and keep a copy for three years
Example Disclosure and Informed Consent Form:
https://hypnotistexaminers.org/media/legislative-activity/california-disclosure-form/
Do I need Liability Insurance?
YES! In every state you will be required to obtain professional liability insurance and you may also wish to consider
general liability insurance. The former will cover you against both alleged and actual negligence, defense costs, personal injury and claims arising from past-rendered services and the latter against any claims of bodily injury, associated medical costs and even property damage.
If you decide to join a professional Association you may find that they have a particular relationship with an insurance
company with reduced rates.
If you don’t join an Association and or decide not to use their insurance options you may wish to consider insurance from
the following companies:
Alternative Balance: https://alternativebalance.com/
Hiscox: https://www.hiscox.com/
Do I need a Business License?
A business license is an annual regulatory permit for the privilege of conducting business within your city. In most states businesses are required to register or obtain a business license before they can operate legally regardless of whether the business is subject to taxation or not. The process and requirements for obtaining a business license can vary
significantly by city and state. Typically you’ll need to contact your local city or county govt office or the state’s business
regulatory agency to apply for and obtain this license. If you are completely new to this process start by googling
‘Business License and your local city name’
If you have any other questions we would love to hear from you and will endeavor to answer them! We are excited to grow our
student numbers in the US and believe the CBH Diploma we are offering is an important ‘integrative and evidenced based’ addition
to the hypnotherapy courses available stateside. For that reason we are particularly focussed on supporting our US students and
encourage ongoing communication with the college as you move forward in your careers.