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•	What is Naturopathy
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Naturopathy

Naturopathy as a Career

Naturopathy Certification & Licensing
In 1983 the World Health Organization recommended the integration of Naturopathic Medicine into the conventional healthcare system. In the U. S., licensing and training of Naturopaths varies from state to state. It is officially regulated in the following 15 states:

Alaska Arizona California Connecticut District of Columbia

Hawaii Idaho Kansas Maine Montana

New Hampshire Oregon Utah Vermont Washington

It is also officially regulated in the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

In Canada, Naturopathy is licensed in 4 provinces:

British Columbia Manitoba

Ontario Saskatchewan

In these states/provinces, Naturopathic Doctors are required to graduate from a 4 year, residential Naturopathic Medical School and pass an extensive postdoctoral board examination (NPLEX) in preparation for state board licensing examinations.  This certification allows the Naturopath to be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care physician.  Education is completed in all of the same basic sciences as an M.D. but also involves studies in holistic and non-toxic approaches to therapy, with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness.

In addition to a standard medical curriculum, a Medical Doctor is required to complete 4 years of additional training to become a Homeopathic Doctor, which includes training in clinical nutrition,Traditional Chinese Medicine, Homeopathic Medicine, Botanical Medicine, psychology, and counseling (to encourage people to make lifestyle changes in support of their personal health).

In the U. S. and Canada, qualifying schools are accredited by the U. S. Department of education, with programmatic accreditation issued to qualifying schools by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME). The CNME is the recognized accrediting body for Naturopathic medical programs in North America.

The Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC) accepts membership of schools which have been accredited by both agencies, and actively supports the academic efforts of these schools.

There are currently 5 accredited schools located in the US and Canada.

• BASTYR University (Kenmore, Washington)
• National College of Natural Medicine (Portland, Oregon)
• Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (Tempe, Arizona)
• University of Bridgeport, College of Naturopathic Medicine (Bridgeport, Connecticut)
• Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (Toronto, Ontario)
• Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine (New Westminister, British Columbia)

Prerequisites may be required by each of these schools for enrollment in their Naturopathy program, typically in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and psychology.

After graduating from an accredited school, students are then eligible to sit for the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination (NPLEX). The North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE) is responsible for approving applicants to take the NPLEX and also for administering examinations and granting licensure. This licensure is required before a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine can be licensed by a state or provincial jurisdiction as a Primary Care General Practice Physician.

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