The professional qualification "Aroma Services" will be officially introduced in the Bulgarian educational space from 2026, a leading expert in aromatherapy, Hristina Hristova, reported to the media.
The new specialty will be studied in a Sofia college with a two-year duration, which includes 1260 academic hours. To be admitted to training, the candidate must have completed secondary education.
The State Educational Standard for the profession was developed by the Bulgarian Academy of Aromatherapy after an in-depth analysis of international experience in the United Kingdom, USA, and other leading countries in the field of alternative therapies.
The main goal of the new professional qualification is to ensure safety and high quality when providing aromatherapy services. Specialists will be able to work independently or as hired employees in SPA centers, fitness clubs, cosmetic salons, and their own studios.
The training will include in-depth knowledge of botany, human physiology, chemical composition of essential oils, and specific therapeutic techniques. Future professionals will study methods for applying aromatic extracts through massage, compresses, inhalations, and other specialized procedures.
A key focus in the preparation will be the safe use of essential oils and understanding their impact on the human body. Trainees will acquire skills for an individual approach to each client, taking into account their physical and emotional characteristics.
After completing the two-year training, students will take a state exam to obtain an official fourth-degree professional qualification certificate. This will allow them to legally practice aromatherapy services.
An important condition for practicing the profession is strict adherence to professional ethics. Future specialists must understand the boundaries of their competence and, if necessary, direct clients to medical consultation.
The project for introducing the new profession successfully passed through expert commissions in the National Agency for Vocational Education and Training (NAVET) and was published for public discussion until September 8.
According to Hristina Hristova, interest in aromatherapy is continuously increasing, which makes the new professional qualification extremely relevant and promising.
Parallel to developing the educational standard, the Bulgarian Academy of Aromatherapy also initiated the creation of an independent position "Applied Specialist, Aroma Procedures", which will be officially recognized from January 1, 2024.