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 Naturopathic Doctors: How they are Trained
According to the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, licensed naturopathic physician (N.D.) attends a four-year graduate level naturopathic medical school and is educated in all of the same basic sciences as a Medical Doctor (M.D.). In addition, an N.D. studies holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. Aside from a standard medical curriculum, Naturopathic Doctors are required to complete four years of training in clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, psychology, and counseling (to encourage people to make lifestyle changes in support of their personal health). A naturopathic physician also takes rigorous professional board exams so that he or she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care general practice physician. Doctors of Naturopathy who graduate from an accredited naturopathic program are qualified to sit for a licensing examination in a state with a licensing board and standards of practice. These students must attend a four-year medical program following three years of standard pre-medical education. The following schools offer such training:
Licensing of Doctors of Naturopathy According to the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, 14 states, the District of Columbia, two territories (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) have licensing laws for naturopathic doctors. In order to receive a license in these states, an N.D. is required to graduate from a four-year, residential naturopathic medical school and pass and extensive postdoctoral board examination (NPLEX). Licensed naturopathic physicians must also fulfill state-mandated continuing education requirements annually, and have a specific scope of practice defined by their state's law. States Offering Licensing for Naturopaths
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