What Do I Need in Order to Become a Licensed Naturopathic Doctor?

Naturopaths are physicians who try to take a more natural approach to medicine.

Naturopathic medicine takes a more wholistic, natural and less pharmaceutical approach to the body's healing than does modern traditional medicine. As of the end of 2010, however, only 15 states have licensing for naturopathic physicians. In order to become a licensed naturopath, you must first meet prerequisites, complete formal schooling and get licensed, which could take four years or more.

Find a Program

Enroll in a naturopathic medical college accredited by the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges or the Council of Naturopathic Medical Education.

Prerequisites

Check the prerequisites listed by the naturopathic institution of your choice. Bastyr University in Seattle, for example, lists algebra 1, chemistry, biology, physics and psychology as prerequisites for its naturopathy program. It does state, however, that it is not crucial that all hours be completed before entering the program.

Enroll in a Program

There are 15 states that license naturopaths, according to the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Those states require four years or 4,100 hours of study with an accredited program. This includes coursework such as gross human anatomy and botanical medicine.

Pass the Test

To be licensed, naturopaths must first pass the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination (NPLEX) and fulfill any other licensing requirements in the state where the naturopath intends to practice.

References

• American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
• Bastyr University: Prerequisites
• Bastyr University: Coursework

Resources

• Naturopathic: AANMC: The Schools
• Council on Naturopathic Medical Education: Accredited Programs
• Naturopathic: AANMC: Licensed States and Licensing Authorities