The path to becoming a naturopathic doctor starts by researching the requirements needed to practice this type of medicine, the schools that can provide a quality naturopathic education, and the licenses one needs to obtain in order to practice naturopathic medicine. The Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC) provides information on all of these areas of research. Exploring an education in naturopathic medicine is made easy thanks to this organization. According to the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC), in order to become a Naturopathic Doctor (ND), an individual must do the following:
Graduate from a four-year, professional-level program at a federally accredited naturopathic medical school.
Study a curriculum which includes current medical science and traditional naturopathic theory.
Take and pass national board exams. The Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam, also known as the NPLEX, covers basic sciences, diagnostic and therapeutic subjects as well as clinical sciences.
1. Choosing a Naturopathic College
Naturopathic doctors need a quality education in order to ethically practice naturopathic medicine. The Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges provides a list of accredited colleges where students can attend. Here is a list of naturopathic colleges accredited by the AANMC.
Bastyr University Seattle, WA
Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Toronto, Ontario, Canada
National College of Natural Medicine Portland, OR
National University of Health Sciences Chicago, IL
Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine Tempe, AZ
University of Bridgeport Bridgeport, CT
All of these schools meet federal and academic standards for naturopathic colleges.
2. Youve chosen a naturopathic college. What will you be studying?
According to the Association of Naturopathic Medical Colleges, these are the subjects typically taught throughout a students educational experience.
During the first two years of study, a student will most likely be taking classes in the following subject areas:
Biochemistry
Human Physiology
Histology
Anatomy
Macro- and Microbiology
Immunology
Human Pathology
Neuroscience
Pharmacology
During the final two years of study, a student will most likely be taking classes in the following subject areas:
Clinical Nutrition
Botanical Medicine
Homeopathy
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Lifestyle Counseling
Massage
Physical Medicine
Hydrotherapy
3. Satisfying Licensure Requirements
An individual looking to receive an ND license must also satisfy licensing requirements for the individual state or province in which he or she wishes to practice. Today, there are fifteen states, five Canadian provinces, the District of Columbia, and the United States territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands all have laws that regulate naturopathic doctors. In the aforementioned states and provinces, naturopathic doctors are required to graduate from a four-year, residential naturopathic medical school and must pass the NPLEX in order to receive a naturopathic doctor license.
Here is an individual list of states and provinces that offer licensure to naturopathic physicians:
United States
Alaska
Arizona
California
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Hawaii
Idaho
Kansas
Maine
Minnesota
Montana
New Hampshire
Oregon
Utah
Vermont
Washington
United States Territories
Puerto Rico
US Virgin Islands
Canadian Provinces
British Columbia
Manitoba
Nova Scotia
Ontario
Saskatchewan