Common Questions

Naturopathic medicine is a comprehensive, patient-centred system of health care delivered by naturopathic doctors who complete an accredited, four-year doctoral-level naturopathic medical education following undergraduate study.

Naturopathic doctors are trained to assess health concerns and individual risk factors, support disease prevention, and manage acute and chronic conditions using a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Care may include clinical nutrition, lifestyle counselling, botanical medicine and other naturopathic therapies, as well as laboratory testing and prescription medications where authorized by provincial or territorial regulation. 

Care emphasizes patient education, informed choice and shared decision-making, supporting individuals to take an active role in their health. Grounded in the body’s capacity to heal and self-regulate, naturopathic medicine considers the biological, behavioural, environmental and social factors that may be contributing to a person’s health and uses this understanding to develop individualized treatment.

Naturopathic Doctors complete university-level undergraduate education and the required science prerequisites before entering a four-year, doctoral-level naturopathic medical program accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME).

CNME-accredited programs are primarily campus-based and include biomedical and clinical sciences, health assessment and diagnosis, naturopathic principles and therapeutics, and supervised hands-on clinical training. CNME accreditation provides an independent standard for the education required to prepare graduates for regulated naturopathic practice in Canada and the United States. Learn more about CNME-accredited naturopathic medical education.

After graduation, NDs complete recognized entry-to-practice examinations and any additional registration requirements established by the jurisdiction in which they practise. Most regulated Canadian jurisdictions use the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) as part of the registration process; Ontario uses its own Entry-to-Practice examinations.

A properly qualified Naturopathic Doctor has completed accredited naturopathic medical education and the recognized entry-to-practice requirements for the jurisdiction in which they practise.

If you live in a province or territory where naturopathic medicine is regulated, the best way to verify an ND is to check the public register of the regulatory authority. Registration confirms that the practitioner has met the education, examination, and professional requirements established for practice in that jurisdiction.

In an unregulated jurisdiction, professional titles may not provide the same assurance of education or oversight. Look for a practitioner who:

• graduated from a CNME-accredited naturopathic medical program;
• completed recognized entry-to-practice examinations; and
• holds professional credentials that can be independently verified.

CAND and the provincial or territorial naturopathic association can also help members of the public understand professional credentials and identify appropriately qualified Naturopathic Doctors.

Naturopathic medicine is regulated in a number of Canadian provinces and territories, while other jurisdictions do not yet have statutory regulation. Regulation may determine title protection, registration requirements, professional standards and legal scope of practice, so the rules differ depending on where an ND practises.

Use our map to see the current regulatory status in your province or territory and connect with the local naturopathic professional association for more information.

Looking for information about naturopathic regulation in the United States? Visit the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) for current state and territorial licensing information.

Yes. Naturopathic Doctors share a common educational foundation, but their legal scope of practice is determined by the province or territory in which they practise.

Depending on the jurisdiction and the ND’s individual qualifications, scope may include activities such as ordering laboratory tests, prescribing certain medications, administering substances by injection or IV, or performing other authorized procedures.

Use the Canadian regulatory map to learn more about naturopathic medicine in your province or territory and follow the link to your local professional association for current jurisdiction-specific information.

CAND’s Find an ND directory can help you connect with a qualified Naturopathic Doctor in your area.

British Columbia

British Columbia Naturopathic Doctors (BCND)

Alberta

Alberta Association of Naturopathic Doctors (AAND)

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Association of Naturopathic Doctors (SAND)

Manitoba

Manitoba Alliance of Naturopathic Doctors (MBAND)

Ontario

Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND)

Quebec

Quebec Association of Naturopathic Medicine (QANM)

New Brunswick

New Brunswick Association of Naturopathic Doctors (NBAND)

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Naturopathic Doctors (NLAND)

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Association of Naturopathic Doctors (NSAND)

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island Association of Naturopathic Doctors (PEIAND)

Northwest Territories

Northwest Territories Association of Naturopathic Doctors (NTAND)

Yukon

Yukon Association of Naturopathic Doctors (YAND)

Other Associations

Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME)

North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE / NPLEX)

CAND – Professional Affiliations

American Association of Naturopathic Physicians – Regulated States and Regulatory Authorities

Appointments with a Naturopathic Doctor are often longer than many other health-care visits, particularly the initial appointment. This gives your ND time to develop a detailed understanding of your health concerns, health history, current treatments, lifestyle, and goals.

The purpose of this comprehensive assessment is to understand both your immediate concerns and the factors that may be contributing to your overall health. Depending on your needs and the ND’s scope of practice, this may include a physical examination, review of medications and supplements, previous laboratory or imaging results, or additional testing.

Your ND will use this information to develop an individualized plan of care with you. Treatment recommendations should reflect your priorities, preferences, and existing health care, with an emphasis on patient education, informed choice, and shared decision-making.

You might choose to see a Naturopathic Doctor at many different stages of your health. You may be looking for support to stay well and reduce future health risks, trying to better understand ongoing symptoms or a chronic condition, or looking for additional support alongside care you are already receiving.

Your ND will work with you to understand your health concerns, priorities, and goals, and to identify factors that may be influencing your health. Depending on your needs and the ND’s scope of practice, your care may include nutrition and lifestyle strategies, naturopathic therapies, monitoring of health risks, and coordination with other members of your health-care team.

Naturopathic care is individualized and can be used alongside other forms of health care. The goal is to help you understand your options, make informed decisions, and develop a plan that reflects your needs and priorities.

Naturopathic Doctors can work as part of a broader health-care team.

Depending on your needs, your care may involve an ND alongside a family physician, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, medical specialist, dietitian, mental health professional, or other regulated health-care provider.

Collaborative care may include sharing relevant health information with your consent, coordinating treatment plans, making referrals, and working together to manage different aspects of your care. NDs are expected to recognize the limits of their own scope and expertise and to refer to or consult with other health-care professionals when appropriate.

Good health care does not need to happen in silos. Collaboration allows each practitioner to contribute their expertise while keeping the patient’s needs, preferences, and safety at the centre of care.

Seeing a Naturopathic Doctor does not have to be an either/or choice.

NDs have their own professional education, competencies, and scope of practice. Medical doctors, nurse practitioners, and other health-care professionals have different scopes, training, and roles within the health-care system. Depending on your health needs, you may benefit from care from more than one type of provider.

An ND should recommend referral, consultation or additional medical care when your needs fall outside their scope or when another health-care professional is better positioned to provide a particular service.

Naturopathic medicine is best understood as **part of a collaborative health-care system**, with different health professionals contributing their expertise to support safe, coordinated and patient-centred care.

You do not need a referral from another health-care provider to book an appointment with an ND. You can contact an ND or naturopathic clinic directly. If you plan to claim your visit through an extended health benefits plan, check with your insurer to confirm any specific requirements for coverage.

Coverage for naturopathic services varies by insurance plan. Some employer and individual extended health benefit plans include naturopathic care, but annual limits, eligible services, and other requirements may differ. Before your visit, check with your insurance or benefits provider to understand what your plan covers. Fees for naturopathic care also vary by practitioner, appointment type, and services provided. Your ND’s clinic can provide information about current fees before you book.