To obtain a naturopathic medical credential (ND) that qualifies the recipient to sit for licensing examination students must have the following:
- Prerequisites including three years of pre-medical sciences at a University with a cumulative grade point average 3.00 on a four point scale. Prerequisite courses: biology, biochemistry, chemistry, organic chemistry, introductory psychology and humanities.
- Successfully complete a 4-year-full time program in an accredited school of Naturopathic Medicine that includes more than 4,500 hours of classroom training and 1,500 hours of supervised clinical experience.
- Pass NPLEX board exams that are written after the 2nd year and 4th year of study. NPLEX is the standard examination used by all licensing jurisdictions for Naturopathic doctors in North America.
- Meet the Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits as required by the provincial regulatory boards on an ongoing basis.
Areas of Training
Naturopathic Doctors undergo training similar to medical doctors plus they include the naturopathic disciplines. The four areas of training in the four year, full-time Naturopathic Medicine curriculum are:
- Basic Sciences – This area of study includes anatomy, physiology, histology, microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, pharmacology and pathology.
- Clinical Disciplines – Diagnostic medicine areas of study are physical and clinical diagnosis, differential and laboratory diagnosis, radiology, naturopathic assessment and orthopaedics.
- Naturopathic Disciplines – There are six major disciplines that define the areas of naturopathic practice. Each discipline is a distinct area of practice and includes both diagnostic principles and practices as well as therapeutic skills and techniques. They include: clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulation and lifestyle counseling.
- Clinical Experience – All students must complete 1,500 hours of clinical requirements and demonstrate proficiency in all aspects of Naturopathic Medicine prior to graduation.
Accredited Naturopathic Colleges
The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education’s mission is to ensure the high quality of naturopathic medical education in the United States and Canada through the voluntary accreditation of four-year, graduate-level programs in naturopathic medicine. Students and graduates of programs accredited or pre-accredited (candidacy) by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) are eligible to apply for the naturopathic licensing examinations administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE).
The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) is the authority for establishing and maintaining the educational standards for the naturopathic profession and accredits the naturopathic colleges in Canada and the United States that enjoy recognition by the licensing and regulatory boards in the provinces and states.
Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME)
President: Don Warren ND
Executive Director: Daniel Seitz
36 Lower Main St. E. P.O.Box 323
Johnston, VT
05656
Tel: 802-635-7090 cnme.org
Accredited Programs
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine
1255 Sheppard Ave. East, North York, Ontario M2K 1E2
Tel: 416-498-1255, Fax:416-498-1576Clinic: 416-498-9763 Fax: 416-484-6821
ccnm.edu
Bastyr University
14500 Juanita Drive Northeast, Kenmore, Washington 98028-4966
Tel: 425-823-1300 Fax: 425-823-6222
bastyr.edu
University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine
60 Lafayette Street, Bridgeport, CT 06601
Tel: 203-576-4109
bridgeport.edu
National College of Naturopathic Medicine
049 SouthWest Porter, Portland, Oregon 97201
Tel: 503-499-4343, Fax: 503-499-0022
ncnm.edu
Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences
2140 East Broadway Road, Tempe, Arizona 85282
Tel: 480-858-9100 Fax: 480-858-9116
scnm.edu
Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine
300-435 Columbia Street
New Westminster, BC
V3L 5N8
Tel: 604-777-9981 Fax: 604-777-9982
binm.org