Federally recognized professions in alternative medicine

The educational landscape in the field of alternative medicine has a long tradition, but it has developed considerably in recent years. In the past, there were no protected professions in the field of alternative medicine. This should change in order to guarantee a certain standard of quality for patients. Following a needs analysis funded by the federal government, it decided to award two titles to organize the working world for alternative medicine: Naturopath and Complementary Therapist. Health insurance companies are increasingly looking for such Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education (Achtung: Englisch wie HF!) titles and in certain cantons it is not even possible to work in these professions without a federal diploma.

Which professions in alternative medicine are recognized by the federal government?

There are two professions in the field of alternative medicine that are recognized by the federal government:

  • Oda AM (Organization of the Working World for Alternative Medicine) as a naturopath with a federal diploma in four specializations:
    • TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) with two main focuses
      • Acupuncture / Tuina
      • Chinese medicinal therapy according to TCM
    • TEN (Traditional European Naturopathy)
    • Ayurveda
    • Homeopathy
  • Oda KT (Organization of the Working World for Complementary Therapy) as a complementary therapist with a federal diploma in various methods (as of December 2024) such as:
    • Acupressure therapy
    • Alexander technique
    • APM therapy (acupuncture massage therapy)
    • Aquatic bodywork
    • Respiratory therapy
    • Ayurveda therapy
    • Movement and body therapy
    • Biodynamics
    • Craniosacral therapy
    • Eutony
    • Fascia therapy
    • Feldenkrais therapy
    • Eurythmy therapy
    • Kinesiology
    • Polarity
    • Rebalancing
    • Reflex zone therapy
    • Rhythmic massage therapy
    • Shiatsu
    • Structural integration
    • Trager therapy
    • Yoga therapy

Naturopaths from the Oda AM are to be seen as an alternative to doctors in four specializations, which is why they also attend at least 700 hours of training in conventional medicine. Complementary therapists from the OdA KT, on the other hand, are employed in addition to doctors and only complete 150 hours of training in conventional medicine. With this background knowledge, the orientation of the professions can be better recognized and classified.

What does the AFPE structure of the OdA AM look like?

Training to become a naturopath with a federal diploma leads to the OdA AM industry certificate and the Advanced Federal Professional Examination AFPE. Prerequisites for the OdA AM industry certificate are a Sek II qualification (completed apprenticeship or Matura) and personal aptitude. The AM training consists of the following modules:

  • Basic medical training (700 hours of conventional medicine)
  • Specialization
  • Health and ethics
  • Working as a therapist
  • Leading and managing operations
  • Practical training

The first two module qualifications are carried out by the OdA AM itself or by supporting organizations of the respective discipline. Module qualifications three to six are carried out by the training providers. With all six module qualifications, the OdA AM certificate can be applied for at the office. The industry certificate is then also the basis for the seventh module, mentoring, during which the naturopaths gain professional practice. The AFPE consists of:

  • Professional practice module under mentorship (two to five years with two to four mentors)
  • Case study
  • Expert discussion on the case study
  • Case processing
  • Practical work

Upon passing the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE), the federal diploma is awarded. This allows naturopaths with a federal diploma to practise as an alternative to a doctor in the relevant specialty.

What does the AFPE structure of the OdA KT look like?

Training to become a complementary therapist with a federal diploma leads to the OdA KT industry certificate and the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE). Access to the industry certificate is granted to those with an upper-secondary level qualification. The KT training consists of the following elements:

  • KT method
  • Tronc Commun KT (incl. 150 hours of conventional medicine and other modules)
  • Internship KT

A competence-oriented KT final examination is taken for all elements. The alternative would be an equivalence procedure as an industry certificate. The OdA KT industry certificate and supervised professional practice are required for admission to the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) for complementary therapists. The AFPE examination consists of:

  • Case study
  • Technical discussion
  • Complex work situations
  • Specific specialist topics

Upon passing the examination, graduates receive a federal diploma. This enables them to work as a recognized complementary therapist with a federal diploma in addition to doctors.

What is the situation for naturopaths and complementary therapists with previous training?

Naturopaths and complementary therapists with longer professional experience and previous training can prepare for a subsequent Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) at training institutes. Solutions are being sought here to refresh knowledge and complete missing parts of training in order to be able to take the AFPE examination at a later date. This is because certain cantons only issue licenses if this is available. The federal diploma can also become a prerequisite for billable services when billing health insurance companies. So if you are not about to retire, you should consider taking the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE). You can take longer than three years to do this, as these people are usually already firmly established in working life. With a federal diploma, you have something in hand and are certainly on the safe side for the next ten to twenty years.

To the overview of alternative medicine training courses