American Hypnosis Association

Published: Wed, Dec 4, 2024
Last Revised: Tue, Oct 20, 2026
Publisher: American Hypnosis Association

This research into the Laws and Regulations for Hypnotherapists in the United States and the District of Columbia, was compiled and written for the American Hypnosis Association by Bruce Bonnett:

• Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist (CCHt)
• Senior Staff Instructor at HMI College of Hypnotherapy
• Harvard Law School Graduate
• Past President of the Hypnotherapists Union Local 472

Introduction

Are you practicing Hypnotherapy in the United States? Are you familiar with the laws and regulations that may govern your practice in the state you reside in? Below is a linked list of 50 United States and the District of Columbia. We have provided Summaries, Legal Case Highlights, along with the Laws and Regulations for each.

Here is an Overview for the U.S.

The practice of medicine, psychology, and alternative health care in the United States is largely regulated at the state level. Consequently:

1. State-by-State Variability: All laws related to the practice of hypnotherapy differ from one state to another. The U.S. federal government does not oversee these practices directly.
2. Dynamic Legislation: Laws governing these practices can change at any time in any state. Furthermore, individual cities or locales might also have specific ordinances that dictate certain business practices.
3. Responsibility to Stay Informed: Prospective students should conduct thorough research on the legal landscape of hypnotherapy in the country, state, county, city, or local region where they plan to practice before enrolling.
4. International Considerations: International students or those planning to practice abroad must familiarize themselves with the laws of the intended country, including its specific locations or regions.
5. Remote Practice Concerns: Graduates who intend to practice hypnotherapy remotely (via Zoom, telephone, or other electronic means) need to be aware of the laws governing their client’s location as well as their own. The precedence of laws in remote practice situations can be ambiguous in certain scenarios. When working with out-of-State clients you it is best practice to be in compliance with the laws of both that State your client resides and your own.

In all circumstances, it’s advised that practitioners consult legal counsel or relevant regulatory bodies to ensure full compliance.

When you review this State Guide you will see that there are very few States that have laws that specifically reference the practice of hypnotism or hypnotherapy. Of the states that do, they tend to contain language that is ambiguous, vague and open to interpretation. A Google search confirms that at this time, there appears to be hypnotherapists practicing in all 50 States of the US. That alone is not a guarantee of lawful practice.

In that guide, California has perhaps the most definitive and clear language that provides a guideline for what falls in-scope and what falls out-of-scope for the practice of hypnotherapy. We provide and excerpt of that language below for you to get a general understanding of the guidance we suggest for all practicing hypnotherapists in all States.

As an example only, HMI offers the following thumbnail of the scope of practice outlined for hypnotherapists in California Business and Professions Code 2908.

In California the law does not prohibit an unlicensed person from utilizing hypnotic techniques; furthermore, Psychology License Law contains two basic exemptions for personal practicing hypnosis.

1. By referral from persons licensed to practice medicine, dentistry or psychology.
2. Which offer avocational or vocational self-improvement and do not offer therapy for emotional or mental disorders.