Within the remaining jurisdictions in the United States that have no licensing for naturopathic doctors, there are three states in which it’s actually illegal for anyone to practice naturopathic medicine:Īre naturopathic doctors covered by insurance or Medicare? In addition to the states listed above, there are three jurisdictions in the United States that offer naturopathic licensing: While anyone can go to school to become an ND, not every state allows naturopathic doctors to practice medicine.Īs of 2022, NDs can become licensed to practice in only 22 states: In the United States, there are strict regulations surrounding the practice of naturopathic medicine. Instead, it’s an approach to medicine that uses both conventional and alternative medicine. Unlike naturopathic medicine, holistic medicine isn’t a separate branch of medicine. The student can then take an exam to become a state-licensed and board-certified doctor of medicine (MD).Īn MD can become a holistic doctor by specializing in holistic medicine, which is a type of alternative medicine that focuses on promoting wellness in the mind, body, and soul. Residency training can take anywhere from 3 to 7 years, depending on the program and specialty. After passing the MCAT, students are required to complete a 4-year doctoral program before being accepted into a residency program. Medical doctors begin their journey by taking an exam called the MCAT, which affords them admission to medical school. While the requirements vary between states, they generally include meeting yearly continuing education requirements and remaining within that specific state’s scope of practice. During the NPLEX, candidates are tested on a variety of topics, including biomedical subjects and diagnostics, treatment modalities, and medical interventions.Īfter an ND has become licensed, they must continue to follow all state guidelines for naturopathy while practicing medicine. After completing a 4-year accredited program, NDs must pass the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam (NPLEX). According to the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), there are nine programs in the United States that currently qualify graduates for licensure. Licensure for a doctor in naturopathy (ND) or doctorate in naturopathic medicine (NMD) includes a 4-year doctoral program from an accredited naturopathic medical school. NDs begin the journey to licensure with a 4-year doctoral program, and must complete the following path to become licensed: NDs, holistic doctors, and medical doctors: What’s the difference? While NDs do diagnose and treat health conditions, the primary focus of naturopathic medicine is the prevention of illness and disease.īy using the six principles of naturopathic medicine, NDs aim to help patients recover from both acute and chronic health conditions while using the most natural and least invasive approaches possible. During treatment, NDs focus on addressing all these factors, rather than just one. Naturopathy emphasizes the idea that there are multiple factors - physical, mental, genetic, environmental, and more - that impact one’s health. Within the scope of their practice, NDs teach patients everything they need to know to take care of their bodies. NDs function not only as practitioners of natural medicine, but also as teachers to their patients. By addressing the underlying root cause, naturopathic medicine aims to treat the cause of symptoms rather than ameliorate the symptoms. NDs work to identify the underlying physiologic, biochemical, structural, and psychospiritual contributor to symptoms. NDs help the patient use this power by helping to create a healthy environment, both internally and externally. Naturopathic medicine emphasizes the healing power of the natural world as well as the body’s own ability to heal. However, in cases where natural treatment methods aren’t effective, an ND can refer out for further care. NDs focus on using medications, procedures, and other treatment approaches that are as minimally invasive as possible. All naturopathic doctors abide by the six principles of naturopathic medicine.
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