Education and Training

How Are Naturopathic Doctors Trained?

NDs take a minimum of three years premedical studies at university, followed by four years at a recognized college of naturopathic medicine. The education encompasses basic medical sciences, including anatomy, physiology, pathology and pharmacology, naturopathic principles and therapeutics, as well as 1500 hours of supervised clinical experience. There are a number of accredited schools of naturopathic medicine in North America. Some of the most recognized are:

• The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (Toronto, Ontario)
• Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine (Vancouver, British Columbia)
• Bastyr University (Seattle, Washington)
• National College of Natural Medicine (Portland, Oregon)
• Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (Scottsdale, Arizona)
• University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine

Graduates from these institutions receive a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) degree or diploma.

In regulated (or licensed) provinces and states across North America, graduates must also pass rigorous standardized exams to qualify for practice. In Canada, NDs are currently regulated in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.

Do Naturopathic Doctors Specialize?

Many NDs take additional postgraduate training in specific therapies and focus their practices on those treatments. The most common areas are nutrition, homeopathic medicine, acupuncture and botanical medicine. In some jurisdictions, NDs may obtain post-graduate certification in the use of intravenous therapies including ozone and chelation. Patients should check with individual NDs to find out more about the focus of their practice.