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Education and Regulation

A Naturopathic Doctor has a minimum of 7 years post-secondary education. See below for more information on the training, programs and regulations of a Naturopathic Doctor in Canada.

Education and training

Like a conventional doctor, dentist, or chiropractor, the naturopathic doctor first completes an undergraduate degree at university. The naturopathic student then enters into a four-year, full-time accredited naturopathic medical program. Training includes basic, medical, and clinical science; diagnostics; naturopathic principles and therapeutics; and extensive clinical experience under the supervision of qualified naturopathic doctors. Graduates receive the title “N.D.” or Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.

Accredited programs

The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) is the only government-recognized accrediting body for naturopathic medical schools in Canada and the United States. The CNME has accredited the following naturopathic medical programs:

Upon successful completion of any accredited program, a naturopathic doctor is eligible to sit for NPLEX or Entry to Practice exams in Ontario (CONO) and take provincial or state board examinations to obtain licensure.

Correspondence programs

To become a qualified ND one must graduate from a CNME-accredited naturopathic medical program. Individuals completing correspondence programs are not recognized by any of the provincial/territorial/state regulatory authorities and do not qualify for licensure or membership with the national/ provincial/territorial/state naturopathic associations in Canada or the United States.

Qualified naturopathic doctors

A qualified naturopathic doctor is one who has completed a four-year, full-time program at an accredited school of naturopathic medicine. Following the completion of an accredited program, NDs must write and pass standardized North American board exams known as the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) or Entry to Practice exams in Ontario (CONO) in order to qualify for regulation/licensing.

Regulation in provinces and Territories

Many NDs in Canada who are practicing in an unregulated province choose to maintain an out-of-province registration in a regulated province. To find out if a naturopathic doctor is qualified, either check with the naturopathic regulatory board of your province or contact the CAND.

Newfoundland and Labrador: The NLAND is the association representing naturopathic doctors with regulation as a vision for the future.

North West Territories:  On March 1, 2022, Naturopathic Doctors became the first profession to be regulated under the Health and Social Services Professions Act (HSSPA) in the Northwest Territories (NWT). The Scope of Practice includes prescribing as well as other restricted/controlled acts. The professional association representing naturopathic doctors in the NWT is the NTAND.