Make sure your Naturopathic Doctor is licensed and registered with the College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia: http://www.cnpbc.bc.ca/
Training and Education
Licensed naturopathic doctors require a minimum of eight years post-secondary education. The process by which prospective students gain acceptance to an accredited naturopathic medical school is similar to that of conventional programs. Here, students must obtain the prerequisites necessary for application (usually 4 years) and undergo an extensive interview process. The degree, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, requires four additional years of graduate level study in the medical sciences. These include anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, immunology, physical and clinical diagnosis, differential diagnosis, laboratory diagnosis, and radiology. Students also receive intensive training in naturopathic modalities such as clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulative therapy and lifestyle counseling. Training for a degree in naturopathic medicine also includes over 1500 hours of clinical training in outpatient settings.
There are seven accredited (recognized by naturopathic medical regulatory boards) naturopathic medical schools in North America including two here in Canada. These government-appointed boards require candidates to pass comprehensive examinations before licensing them to practice.
Licensing
After acquiring the degree of Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, candidates must pass a national level board examination in order to become licensed practitioner. In order to maintain an active license with the College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia, a naturopathic doctor must have malpractice insurance and complete a number of continuing education hours to keep up with advancements in medical and naturopathic therapeutics.
Title Protection
The title Naturopathic Doctor, Naturopath, and Naturopathic physician, are regulated titles under the Health Professions Act. These titles are not be confused with other titles like Natural Medical Doctor, Natural Doctor, Doctor of Natural Medicine, Holistic Practitioner, or Holistic Doctor. These are NOT regulated by the CNPBC. For insurance purposes, naturopathic treatments must be administered by a licensed naturopathic doctor. Make sure your doctor is registered and make sure to ask for their registration number.
Did You Know …
In 1983, the World Health Organization recommended the integration of naturopathic medicine into conventional health care systems. (Burton Goldberg. Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide, Future Medicine Publishing, 1993, 360)
In 1994, Bastyr University of Natural Health Sciences, a naturopathic medical school, was awarded almost $1 million in research funds from the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Alternative Medicine to research alternative therapies for patients with HIV and AIDS. (Bastyr University press release, October 4, 1994)
Graduates of accredited naturopathic medical colleges are required to have more hours of study in basic sciences and clinical sciences than graduates of Yale or Stanford medical schools. (“Naturopathic and Major Medical Schools, Comparative Curricula.” Document from the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians)
The “anti-cancer” diet recognized by the National Cancer Institute was first published in a naturopathic medical textbook in the 1940s. (“Twenty Questions About Naturopathic Medicine”, Document from the American Association of Naturopathic Medicine)
Graduates of accredited naturopathic medical colleges receive more formal training in therapeutic nutrition than MDs, osteopathic physicians, or registered dietitians. (“Naturopathic and Major Medical Schools: Comparative Curricula”, Document from the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians)
The government of Germany now requires conventional doctors and pharmacists to receive training in naturopathic techniques because of their cost-effectiveness. (William Collinge. The American Holistic Health Association Complete Guide to Alternative Medicine, Warner Books, 1996, 125)
Today, there are over two thousand licensed practicing naturopathic physicians (NDs) in the United States and Canada. (NIH, Alternative Medicine: Expanding Medical Horizons, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1993, 88. 8, American Association of Naturopathic Physicians brochure)
As of August 1996, 12 states in the US and five provinces of Canada now license naturopathic doctors as primary-care physicians. It is projected that all 50 states will license naturopathic physicians by the year 2010. (American Association of Naturopathic Physicians brochure)
Seven accredited colleges educate and train naturopathic doctors in North America. (Ibid.)
The County Council in Seattle, Washington, established the nation’s first government-subsidized naturopathic medical clinic. (Bastyr University press release, February 27, 1995)
