Ayurvedic knowledge from classical texts becomes clinically applicable only through an individual assessment by a qualified practitioner. This page explains what qualifications to look for, how to verify them, and where to find registered practitioners in India.
A five-and-a-half year undergraduate degree (4.5 years academic + 1 year internship) from a university affiliated with the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM). BAMS is registered with the CCIM or the relevant State Ayurvedic Council. BAMS graduates are trained in Prakriti assessment, Dosha diagnosis, herb and formulation prescription, and classical treatment protocols including Panchakarma.
Three-year post-graduate degree specialising in a specific branch of Ayurveda: Kayachikitsa (internal medicine), Kaumarabhritya (paediatrics), Prasuti Tantra (gynaecology/obstetrics), Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana (pharmacy/formulations), Panchakarma, and others. MD Ayurveda practitioners have specialist depth in their branch. Rasa Shastra preparations specifically require MD Ayurveda in Rasashastra.
Ayurvedic practitioners outside India are licensed under different national frameworks. In the UK: Ayurvedic Practitioners Association (APA) registered practitioners. In the US: the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) maintains a Registered Ayurvedic Practitioner (RAP) and Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner (CAP) registry. In Australia: Australasian Association of Ayurveda (AAA). Always verify registration with the relevant national body and check whether Ayurveda is a regulated profession in your country, as standards vary significantly.
The CCIM maintains the central register of all BAMS, BUMS, and BHMS qualified practitioners registered in India. You can verify a practitioner's registration number at: ccimindia.org. All BAMS practitioners are assigned a unique registration number. Ask your practitioner for their CCIM or State Council registration number and verify it.
Each state maintains its own Ayurvedic Council register. Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, UP, Rajasthan, and other states with significant Ayurvedic practice have online verification portals. The state council is the immediate regulatory authority for practitioners registered in that state.
A qualified Ayurvedic practitioner's initial consultation follows a structured classical assessment protocol. Understanding what to expect helps you evaluate whether the practitioner you are consulting is working within the classical framework.
Every state in India maintains government Ayurvedic hospitals with BAMS and MD Ayurveda practitioners in OPD settings. These are low-cost or free. The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi operates under the Ministry of AYUSH and provides specialist consultations. State Ayurvedic colleges attached to teaching hospitals provide specialist outpatient care.
Panchakarma procedures require a clinical setting with qualified practitioners supervising each procedure. Genuine Panchakarma is not a spa service — it is a medical procedure with specific pre-procedure (Purvakarma), main procedure, and post-procedure (Paschatkarma) protocols requiring daily practitioner assessment. Licensed Panchakarma centres operate under Ministry of AYUSH clinic licensing. Verify the medical director holds BAMS or MD Ayurveda qualification.
Ayurveda Codex does not recommend, endorse, or list specific practitioners or clinics. This is a deliberate policy to maintain the site's independence and avoid commercial relationships. The guidance above — verifying CCIM or state council registration, understanding what a qualified consultation involves — is the standard the site recommends applying when choosing any practitioner.
If you are a qualified BAMS or MD Ayurveda practitioner and wish to be listed in a future practitioners directory on this site, contact: codex@thecodex.expert
Last updated: April 2026