ACHS began in 1976 as the extramural or distance education department of an on-campus naturopathic college in Auckland, New Zealand.

[5][6] The college only offers online courses, and Its administrative building is located in Portland, Oregon.

Green America[7][8] In December 2010, the ACHS Apothecary Shoppe became Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO).

OTCO is the certifying agent for the National Organic Program (NOP) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

[9] In June 2013, ACHS and the Apothecary Shoppe was re-certified as a Green America Gold Certified Business.