Common Questions
- About Naturopathic Medicine
- Naturopathic Treatments
- Advantages Of Naturopathic Care
- Naturopathic Visits
- Education And Regulation
- Other Topics
- What is the difference between Naturopath and a Naturopathic Doctor?
- What are natural remedies for cough? For anxiety? For sleep? For headaches?
- What is integrated medicine? Does An ND practice integrated medicine?
Education and Regulation
A Naturopathic Doctor has a minimum of 7 years post-secondary education. See below for more information on the training, programs and regulations of a Naturopathic Doctor in Canada.
Education and training
Like a conventional doctor, dentist, or chiropractor, the 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 “N.D.” or Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.
Accredited programs
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, Vancouver, British Columbia)
- Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (Toronto Campus, Ontario)
- National University of Natural Medicine (Portland, Oregon)
- Bastyr University (Seattle, Washington)
- Sonoran University of Health Sciences (formerly Southwest College, Scottsdale, Arizona)
- National University of Health Sciences (Lombard, Illinois)
- Universidad Ana G. Méndez (Puerto Rico)
Upon successful completion of any accredited program, a naturopathic doctor is eligible to sit for NPLEX or Entry to Practice exams in Ontario (CONO) and take provincial or state board examinations to obtain licensure.
Correspondence programs
To become a qualified ND one must graduate from a CNME-accredited naturopathic medical program. 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.
Qualified naturopathic doctors
A qualified naturopathic doctor is one who has completed a four-year, full-time program at an accredited school of naturopathic medicine. Following the completion of an accredited program, NDs must write and pass standardized North American board exams known as the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) or Entry to Practice exams in Ontario (CONO) in order to qualify for regulation/licensing.
Regulation in Provinces and Territories
Many NDs in Canada who are practicing in an unregulated province, choose to maintain an out-of-province registration in a regulated province. To find out if a naturopathic doctor is qualified, either check with the naturopathic regulatory board of your province or contact the CAND.
British Columbia: Under regulations approved April 9, 2009, naturopathic physicians in B.C. became the first in Canada to be granted prescribing authority. NDs that completed the required certification began prescribing September 7, 2010. The BCND and the CCHPBC are currently focusing their efforts with the provincial government on lab access for NDs.
Alberta: On August 1, 2012, Alberta became the fifth province to regulate the practice of naturopathic medicine under Alberta’s Health Professions Act, the umbrella legislation for health professions, with the CNDA as the profession regulator. Under the HPA, NDs do not have prescribing authority but maintain access to IV substances as well as other controlled acts. As the professional ND’s provincial association, the AAND is engaged with the Alberta government and the CNDA to expand the current Scope of Practice.
Saskatchewan: In May of 2015, The Naturopathic Medicine Act passed third reading in the provincial Legislature and the SANP is currently engaged with the Saskatchewan government in updating the bylaws to align with the new Act. Upon Royal Assent, the SANP will become the College of Naturopathic Doctors of Saskatchewan and NDs in the province will be able to practice to their full Scope of Practice. The professional association for naturopathic doctors in Saskatchewan is the SAND.
Manitoba: In-line with BC and AB, NDs in Manitoba will be moved under the umbrella legislation for all health care professions passed in 2009. As the professions provincial association, the Manitoba Alliance of Naturopathic Doctors (MBAND) continues to work with the Manitoba government to seek a full scope of practice, similar to what has been awarded in BC.
Ontario: On July 1, 2015 the Naturopathy Act was proclaimed permitting NDs to prescribe, dispense, compound or sell “drugs” and access laboratory tests as designated by regulation. Upon Proclamation of the new Act, the Transition Council of the College of Naturopaths became the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO) and regulates the profession. The professional association for Naturopathic Doctors in Ontario is the OAND
Quebec: The QANM continues its struggle for regulation in Quebec. Efforts are ongoing to move their file forward within the Office of Professionals which is responsible for regulation.
New Brunswick: NBAND has completed draft title protection legislation which will ensure only qualified NDs in the province are able to use the title Naturopathic Doctor. They continue to work with the Ministry of Health to move the proposed legislation forward. In the meantime, as in other unregulated jurisdictions, many NDs maintain an out-of-province registration in a regulated jurisdiction.
Newfoundland and Labrador: The NLAND is the association representing naturopathic doctors with regulation as a vision for the future.
Nova Scotia: Under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA), which received Royal Assent in November of 2023, Nova Scotia’s naturopathic doctors will become the 22nd regulated health profession in Nova Scotia. The NSAND (Nova Scotia Association of Naturopathic Doctors) is working with the Department of Health & Wellness (DHW) to develop the professional regulations for naturopathic doctors.
Prince Edward Island: NDs in PEI have been consistent in approaching government for regulation. With the announcement of umbrella legislation for health professionals the PEIAND is once again engaged in discussions with the Minister and staff on the importance of moving forward and including naturopathic doctors in the legislation.
Yukon: The YAND is the professional association for naturopathic doctors (NDs) in the Yukon. While naturopathic medicine is not yet regulated in the Yukon, NDs who have prescribing authority in another regulated jurisdiction can prescribe medications. The YAND is actively seeking more NDs wishing to practice in the beautiful north.
North West Territories: On March 1, 2022, Naturopathic Doctors became the first profession to be regulated under the Health and Social Services Professions Act (HSSPA) in the Northwest Territories (NWT). The Scope of Practice includes prescribing as well as other restricted/controlled acts. The professional association representing naturopathic doctors in the NWT is the NTAND.
USA: Currently, 23 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands have licensing laws for naturopathic doctors. For more information about the regulation of naturopathic doctors in the United States visit website of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.