Education and training of naturopathic doctors
A naturopathic doctor has a minimum of seven years post-secondary education. Like a conventional medical doctor, dentist, or chiropractor, a naturopathic doctor first completes an undergraduate degree at university. The naturopathic student then enters into a four-year, full-time accredited naturopathic medical program. Training includes basic, medical, and clinical science; diagnostics; naturopathic principles and therapeutics; and extensive clinical experience under the supervision of qualified naturopathic doctors. Graduates receive the title “ND” or Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.
Upon successful completion of any accredited program, NDs must write and pass standardized North American board exams known as the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) in order to qualify for regulation/licensing in their practicing provinces.
Individuals completing correspondence programs are not recognized by any of the provincial/territorial/state regulatory authorities and do not qualify for licensure or membership with the national/provincial/territorial/state naturopathic associations in Canada or the United States.
The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) is the only government-recognized accrediting body for naturopathic medical schools in Canada and the United States. The CNME has accredited the following naturopathic medical programs:
- Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine – Boucher Campus (New Westminster, British Columbia)
- Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (Toronto, Ontario)
- National University of Natural Medicine (Portland, Oregon)
- Bastyr University (Seattle, Washington)
- Bastyr University San Diego Campus (San Diego, California)
- Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences (Scottsdale, Arizona)
- National University of Health Sciences (Lombard, Illinois)
- Universidad Ana G. Méndez (Puerto Rico)
© 2022 used with permission of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors