Naturopathic Doctor

Education

Naturopathic doctors have undergone extensive training - four years of undergraduate pre-medical study and four years of graduate-level education at a U.S. Department of Education-accredited naturopathic medical school - before passing rigorous professional board exams to be licensed as a naturopathic physician.

Accredited ND programs are residential, which means that students physically attend school (versus distance or internet courses) and accumulate hundreds of hours observing licensed physicians and participating in all aspects of patient care.

Licensure

Licensure of naturopathic doctors protects the public by setting and enforcing standards of education, competency and patient care. A patient who sees a licensed ND is assured of the quality of their practitioner. In unlicensed states, anyone can use the title, regardless of training. Fifteen states currently regulate practitioners of naturopathic medicine. They are:

At this time, Colorado does not license naturopathic doctors. The Colorado Association of Naturopathic Physicians (CoANP) is working toward regulation of the profession to protect Colorado consumers. To become a supporter of ND licensure in Colorado, click here...

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