To become an Ayurvedic doctor, begin by learning Ayurveda at a respectable school. The best Ayurvedic courses are offered in India where Ayurveda has been practiced for several centuries. You may also become an Ayurvedic doctor there, as many people from different parts of the world travel to India for Ayurvedic training and treatment. Whether or not you can actually become an Ayurvedic doctor elsewhere depends on the laws where you plan to practice.
The best way to become an Ayurvedic doctor is to attend a reputable school in India where training will take approximately five years to complete. Ayurveda has been practiced in that country for hundreds of years and is a highly regarded form of treatment. In India, patients may make the choice between being treated by doctors trained in traditional Ayurvedic medicine or doctors trained in Western medicine. Though you may become an Ayurvedic doctor in India, realize that you may not be able to legally practice as an Ayurvedic doctor in other countries, although you may still be able to provide alternative medicine counseling as an Ayurvedic practitioner elsewhere.
During training to become an Ayurvedic doctor, in addition to classes that teach about physiology, biology and anatomy, you will be trained to lead others in personal growth and development. You will also learn about disease management through diet, spiritual practice and addressing the underlying mental and psychological issues that contribute to disease. If you are training to become an Ayurvedic practitioner or if you are a medical doctor seeking further education in Ayurvedic techniques, classes at some schools are offered online, as well as in person. To enhance your experience while learning Ayurveda, it is also a good idea to secure an internship with an Ayurvedic practitioner.
In the United States, there is no license currently made available to become an Ayurvedic doctor. You may, however, train to become an Ayurvedic practitioner at a state-approved Ayurvedic school. You can also become a licensed medical doctor at another accredited school and then partake of additional training to become an Ayurvedic practitioner in order to combine both disciplines in patient care. After completing all of the Ayurvedic classes offered in the program that you choose and gaining experience through an internship, you may begin working as an Ayurvedic practitioner. If fully trained in places that allow for such, you may also be granted a license to become an Ayurvedic doctor.
