a literature review published in la presse médicale found that there is not sufficient evidence to "support the efficacy of hypnosis in chronic anxiety disorders". in 2019, a cochrane review was unable to find evidence of benefit of hypnosis in smoking cessation, and suggested if there is, it is small at best. a 2019 meta-analysis of hypnosis as a treatment for anxiety found that "the average participant receiving hypnosis reduced anxiety more than about 79% of control participants," also noting that "hypnosis was more effective in reducing anxiety when combined with other psychological interventions than when used as a stand-alone treatment." in a 2022 meta-analysis on hypnotherapy's efficacy on dental anxiety, it was found that "hypnosis can also be regarded as powerful and successful method for anxiety reduction," but also stated that further research is required. occupational accreditation united states the laws regarding hypnosis and hypnotherapy vary by state and municipality. some states, like colorado, connecticut and washington, have mandatory licensing and registration requirements, while many other states have no specific regulations governing the practice of hypnotherapy. uk national occupational standards in 2002, the department for education and skills developed national occupational standards for hypnotherapy linked to national vocational qualifications based on the then national qualifications framework under the qualifications and curriculum authority. ncfe, a national awarding body, issues level four national vocational qualification diploma in hypnotherapy. currently aim awards offers a level 3 certificate in hypnotherapy and counselling skills at level 3 of the regulated qualifications framework. uk confederation of hypnotherapy organisations (ukcho) the regulation of the hypnotherapy profession in the uk is at present the main focus of ukcho, a non-profit umbrella body for hypnotherapy organisations. founded in 1998 to provide a non-political arena to discuss and implement changes to the profession of hypnotherapy, ukcho currently represents 9 of the uk's professional hypnotherapy organisations and has developed standards of training for hypnotherapists, along with codes of conduct and practice that all ukcho registered hypnotherapists are governed by. as a step towards the regulation of the profession, ukcho's website now includes a national public register of hypnotherapists who have been registered by ukcho's member organisations and are therefore subject to ukcho's professional standards. further steps to full regulation of the hypnotherapy profession will be taken in consultation with the prince's foundation for integrated health. the national council for hypnotherapy (nch) the national council for hypnotherapy is a professional association, established in 1973 to create a national membership organisation for independent hypnotherapy practitioners. australia professional hypnotherapy and use of the occupational titles hypnotherapist or clinical hypnotherapist are not government-regulated in australia. in 1996, as a result of a three-year research project led by lindsay b. yeates, the australian hypnotherapists association (founded in 1949), the oldest hypnotism-oriented professional organization in australia, instituted a peer-group accreditation system for full-time australian professional hypnotherapists, the first of its kind in the world, which "accredit specific individuals on the basis of their actual demonstrated knowledge and clinical performance; instead of approving particular 'courses' or approving particular 'teaching institutions'" (yeates, 1996, p.iv; 1999, p.xiv). the system was further revised in 1999. australian hypnotism/hypnotherapy organizations (including the australian hypnotherapists association) are seeking government regulation similar to other mental health professions. however, currently hypnotherapy is not subject to government regulation through the australian health practitioner regulation agency (ahpra).