How to Become a Naturopathic Doctor

Are you a college student? Want to pursue your medical career in this field? Are you searching for how to become a naturopathic doctor online? Then look no further because this guide presents everything students need to know.

Naturopathy is one of the popular fields in the medical domain. It finds ways to deal with the body’s discomfort level using the latest scientific techniques and natural remedies. A few examples are diet-based therapy, yoga, herbalism, and homeopathy.

This article covers everything from program admission requirements and job responsibilities to career paths. Let’s get into the specifics.

What is a Naturopathic Doctor?

Graduates of accredited naturopathic schools are known as naturopathic doctors. These qualified doctors require special certificates, licenses, training, and practices to maintain and advance their professional careers. To increase their knowledge, they further go for higher studies. Relevant certifications, training, and licenses increase their chances of getting highly paid career opportunities.

What Does a Naturopathic Doctor Do?

A Naturopathic Doctor (ND) is also called a naturopathic physician. They are skilled professionals who detect, treat, and prevent diseases.

Thousands of patients prefer a licensed naturopathic doctor because they prescribe solutions combining natural botanicals and conventional medicines. One thing that makes NDs stand out today is the way they treat their patients. They don’t only assess physical health but consider spiritual, mental, and emotional health as a topmost priority. Simply put, a naturopathic physician focuses on diagnosing the patients, not just the signs of illness.

NDs will go the extra mile to work on their patients’ belief systems and behaviors to eliminate illnesses. A licensed doctor is known as a board-certified naturopathic doctor when trained in a specific naturopathic domain. So, this board certification indicates that an ND has expertise in a specific medical area. Furthermore, board certification increases patient confidence.

Patients can trust a licensed naturopathic doctor to address a range of diseases, including but not limited to:

Asthma
Diabetes
Heart disease
Chronic pain
Obesity

Popular treatment methods are minor surgery, nutritional counseling, hydrotherapy, and botanical medicine. They treat all patients with customized medications keeping their lifestyle, environmental sensitivities, and genetics in mind.

Fundamental Practices of Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic physicians subscribe to the six core values of naturopathic medicines. It is much like the Hippocratic Oath. The six fundamental principles are:

First, do no harm,
Then, the healing power of nature,
Next, identify and treat the causes,
Doctor as a teacher,
Treat the whole person,
And prevention

Do No Harm

The passion for helping the human form and condition is central to all medical practices. This principle involves utilizing the least toxic, least intrusive, and the most natural therapies. Suppose the patient’s condition is out of the NDs scope. In that case, they will refer the patient to the relevant professional or department for better treatment.

The Healing Power of Nature

Board-certified naturopathic doctors always understand the importance of nature in the healing process. They not only use natural substances but also believe that a healthy natural ambiance is essential to human health and quick recovery. The NDs realize and harness the innate wisdom of the patient’s body to help them maintain good health.

Identify and Treat the Causes

This principle is about examining the underlying cause rather than curing the symptoms only. This unique approach sets NDs apart from other medical domains because they focus on the whole patient, not just their signs of illness.

Doctor as Teacher

It involves treating every naturopathic patient in different steps to achieve and maintain good health. In brief, NDs work on improving the patients’ wellness literacy. With a sound understanding of health and activity, naturopathic physicians are the most visited health professionals these days.

Treat the Whole Person

Naturopathic physicians are well aware of a patient’s body, lifestyle, and the environment simultaneously. In other words, they only attempt to establish health and balance through this holistic approach.

Prevention

According to the philosophy of naturopathic medicines, it is preferable to avoid pain and diseases if feasible. For this purpose, they pinpoint potential imbalances and educate patients on how to become healthy and stay healthy. To this end, NDs use their comprehensive professional practice to use all six core values or principles.

Naturopathic Physicians Work

A naturopathic doctor looks closely at the patient’s lifestyle, environmental exposure, and genetics. NDs are primary care health professionals. In many situations, they work with chiropractors, osteopathic doctors, and MDs in view of the patient’s health. They all act as a team to provide the patients with premium care and better treatment.

NDs know how to specifically treat a patient utilizing their understanding of the use of naturopathic medicines and a wide range of healing skills.
In the licensed states, naturopathic doctors work as primary-care health professionals. They are also known as first-contact physicians.
With their specialization, they help patients in different departments, including but not limited to internal medicine, pediatrics, and women’s health.
They perform interdisciplinary medical practice, work as associates in a group form, or establish their businesses.

National board examinations are necessary to get a license or to become a board-certified naturopathic physician. After passing this exam, NDs should apply for the license in any state they want to practice. The two of the most credible official organizations representing naturopathic doctors are:

American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP)
and the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME)

ND vs. MD

Naturopathic physicians train in pharmacology, standard Western care, and therapies. This intensive training helps these medical professionals prescribe medicines in different states. A couple of students get confused when comparing ND vs. MD.

Important Note: Naturopathic doctors do not have the authority to prescribe medications in the state of Colorado. If a Colorado ND requires a specific medicine for a patient’s health, they may refer the patient to MD.

Naturopathic students see patients in different naturopathic clinics. In contrast, MD students are supposed to see the patients coming to the hospitals. Furthermore, there is no residency requirement for NDs. However, MDs are required to complete a residency in their respective domains.

In addition, naturopathic doctors are general physicians and often treat conditions like flu, stomach issues, cough, or cold. At the same time, MDs are healthcare, surgery, diagnostic medication, and trauma experts. These are the top differences between MDs and NDs.

This section discusses the steps required to become a professional naturopathic physician:

Step 1: Earn a Relevant Bachelor’s Degree

Before you become a credible medical professional, you must have a bachelor’s in the relevant program. Attending labs is also necessary. Earning a bachelor’s degree is not a compulsion, but make sure you have studied prerequisite courses such as:

Cellular Biology
Chemistry
Physiology
Anatomy
Biochemistry

Step 2: The Medical Degree from a School that is State-Approved

After completing your bachelor’s degree, the next step is to enroll in a medical degree. Keep a close eye on the school’s credibility. Being a medical student, you must ensure that the school you enroll in is certified by the state authorities.

Generally, it takes four years for you to complete a medical degree. Moreover, the residency requirement can take a further two to six years based on which specialty you are practicing in.

Step 3: Meet Naturopathic Physician Education Requirements

To get a license, ND students should earn a four-year degree certified by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education. Out of these four years, the first year’s coursework is the same for naturopathic and typical medical students. ND students have studied various treatment approaches in the last two years. In addition, getting hands-on experience in clinical trials is also part of the previous two years.

Step 4: Pass the NPLEX or Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination

An approved naturopathic degree and NPLEX test result are the two major requirements for appearing in the license exam. Before students can sit for the state license examination, they should clear NPLEX. NPLEX is only a one-year certification, but you can re-certify by further completing 20 hours of education every year.

Step 5: Fulfill Requirements for State Licensure Requirements

The licensure requirements for naturopathic doctors may vary from one state to another. The most common conditions are listed below.

Graduate from an accredited medical school
They should not suffer from mental health problems
Aspirants must have passed either a state-sponsored or the NPLEX exam
Submit fingerprints to pass background checks

Naturopathic Medical School Requirements

Get familiar with the naturopathic medical school requirements. Keeping a close eye on the documents required and deadlines is something students can never take for granted. Before applying, students must be clear about what is needed to enroll in school successfully. Asking the below-listed questions can make the picture crystal clear for the students:

What Undergraduate Degree is Required?

Many naturopathic schools prefer students who have completed a specific number of science credits with laboratory practicals. Therefore, students should choose a degree with a major in science subjects, such as chemistry and biology. It is the best way to prepare yourself for successful admission.

Students who have not studied any science subjects should not worry because they have the option to complete compulsory prerequisites. Many schools and universities offer prerequisite programs to prepare students who haven’t studied science subjects earlier.

What Will Make Me a More Competitive Student?

A competitive applicant’s scores are high in science subjects. In addition, students’ commitment to the naturopathy field matters. In addition, showing shadow experience has proved to be an excellent tool for showing commitment. For example, students can intern in an ND office to gain practical exposure and professional knowledge.

Schools encourage applicants to gain practical experience because it develops a better understanding of the naturopathic domain. Before selecting a particular degree program, look at course outlines to understand what will be studied. If your interests match the selected courses, the results will be particularly fruitful in the future.

What if I Don’t Have All the Requirements or Prerequisite Courses?

Many ND schools don’t ask you to submit GRE or MCAT test results. Make sure to cross-check the requirement for the school to which you are applying.

Don’t panic if some documents or requirements are missing when applying to a naturopathic school. Contact the admission counselors to share your concern and ask for their opinion. They can help you with any situation you are passing through during admission. The most common documents to fulfill naturopathic doctor degree requirements include:

Admission form
Deposited fee challan
Character certificate
Essay
Undergraduate degree/transcript
Interview completion

Naturopathy Degree Online

To be a full-time naturopathic physician, you must have a bachelor’s degree and medical degrees.

Bachelor’s Degree Majors

There is no fixed bachelor’s degree to earn if you want to become a naturopathic physician. However, it is encouraged to enroll in a degree offering majors in biology, chemistry, and other science subjects. Specifically, this is because many medical schools consider science credits above all else. Even if you haven’t earned a degree with science credits, you can take some prerequisite courses to fulfill the requirements of a medical school.

GetEducated's Picks

American Public University System Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences / Biology
American Public University System Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
American Public University System Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science / Fish & Wildlife Management

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Medical Degree

This degree is where students can begin specifying their medical career preferences. Every school has different requirements. Therefore, go through the entire admission requirements section before applying for any degree program.

Factors of Selecting Naturopathic Schools Online

Randomly selecting a degree program may create challenges for students. Hence, getting into the specifics of relevant programs is the best approach. Six essential factors students must consider when selecting a naturopathic degree program are listed below:

Accreditation
It is of great importance for evaluating the school’s credibility. In fact, never take admission to a school not accredited by the state authorities. To illustrate, hospitals and other organizations only offer employment opportunities to students who have graduated from accredited medical schools.
Type
The type of school means what type of education system is this proving; online or on-campus. Keeping in mind your preferences and interests, you can choose a school that suits your requirements. For example, review previous students’ feedback before choosing a specific school.
Length
Depending on the degree program you select, the course length varies. It takes four years to complete if you plan to pursue a graduate-level naturopathic degree. Thus, ensure you are well familiar with the course’s length before paying.
Cost of Program
The cost becomes a primary matter for many students, and they start focusing on Return on Investment, which is indeed a good idea. Generally, you should look at the program’s cost before applying. If it is inexpensive, you can read through other details.
Standard Courses
A range of courses offered by medical schools helps you make the right decision. Explore all the classes and choose the one that best matches your needs and wants. Drawing a solid comparison between multiple courses will help you select the right one.
Integrative Medicine and Collaborative Learning
Don’t forget to ensure that a school is offering integrative medicine learning because many hospitals prefer these skills. Therefore, the students enrolling in medical schools offering integrative medicine learning will have a brighter future.

Licensing for a Naturopathic Doctor

When applying for a license, you must know how to become a licensed professional. Moreover, familiarity with the licensing requirements and a compulsory exam is also necessary.

Licensing Requirements

The top three requirements to get a professional ND license are:

Completing four-year graduation from an accredited institute
Passing the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam (NPLEX)
Passing jurisdiction-specific or a state-specific test

NPLEX Exam

NPLEX is a two-part examination. The first part tests the students’ basic understanding of various subjects, including pharmacology, physiology, pathology, anatomy, and biochemistry. In comparison, the second part focuses on the concepts of a medical emergency, pharmacotherapy, and treatment. After passing NPLEX exam, the applicants must also pass the state-specific exam.

Naturopathic Accrediting Bodies

The four official bodies the naturopathic schools get accreditation from are:

Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC)
The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME)
Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination Board (NPLEB)
North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE)

Naturopathic Doctor Careers

Naturopathic physicians can practice in the following practice areas:

Pharmacies
Community health centers
Supplement organizations
Insurance companies
Hospitals
Multidisciplinary clinics
Laboratories

Naturopathic Doctor Salary

The salary of a naturopathic doctor varies depending on the practice setting, procedures offered, practical experience, patients seen, and geographical location. For example, the average salary of naturopathic doctors who see 11 to 19 patients per week is $80,000 a year. The salary increases to $146,621 for physicians seeing up to 59 patients per week, respectively. Fresh graduates start with a specific income that increases with time as they get more and more experience.

Career Outlook

With the increasing number of chronic diseases, Americans lean towards alternative healthcare approaches. According to the US Department of Labor (DOL), the demand for alternative medicine treatment is rising. The projected job growth for naturopathic physicians between 2019 and 2029 is 4%.

According to a study published by the AANMC, approximately 74% of participants claimed they are fully satisfied with their naturopathic careers.

Career Options for Naturopathic Doctors

As soon as ND students graduate, plenty of doors are opened for them to kickstart professional careers. They can explore career options to shortlist the best one for them. Being an ND degree holder, you can serve hospitals and wellness centers in various ways in different departments. You can also start group practice or join an integrative clinic to explore other medical domains. Starting your private practice in a specific field is another excellent approach to give your professional career a solid boost. Further, if you are attracted to teaching, you can join schools, colleges, or universities as a researcher.

Start Your Naturopathic Doctor Career Today!

In conclusion, we have outlined the steps to becoming a professional naturopathic physician. For more details, visit GetEducated.com to find accredited naturopathic schools. The next phase of your professional career is only a few clicks away!

Is a doctor of naturopathy a real doctor?

The word “doctor” comes from the Latin word “docēre,” which means “to teach.” So, all naturopathic doctors are real doctors because they all earn a four-year graduate medical degree.

Can you make money as a naturopathic doctor?

You can make money by serving as a full-time naturopathic physician. The average salary for an ND in the United States is $95,642.

Do naturopaths go to medical school?

Yes, licensed naturopathic physicians attend a graduate-level medical school for four years. They study and closely work on wellness optimization and disease prevention.

How do I start a career in naturopathic medicine?

First, you should earn a bachelor’s degree in the relevant field. Then the next step is enrolling in a medical school to get a professional medical degree. Lastly, you can get special training and certificates to polish your practical skills. Lastly, you can either do a job or run your clinic.

What is a naturopathic doctor?

Graduates with medical degrees in this specific domain are known as naturopathic doctors/physicians.

What do naturopathic doctors do?

They are primary care medical professionals able to address the patient’s problems and diagnose chronic and acute pains. The best thing these professionals do is focus on the whole patient and not just the prominent symptoms.

How much do naturopathic doctors make?

Different geographical locations can have different naturopathic doctor salaries. In contrast, the average salary of naturopathic doctors doing full-time jobs lies between $80,000 and $150,000 a year.

How long does it take to become a naturopathic doctor?

Graduating from accredited naturopathic schools takes only four years. To illustrate, this time includes 4100+ hours of coursework and 1200+ hours of practical exposure to clinical training.

Which states naturopathic license doctors?

Many states offer licensure to NDs. For example, Colorado, Arizona, Montana, Washington, Vermont, Maryland, New Mexico, North Dakota, and New Hampshire.

Can a naturopathic doctor prescribe medication?

Yes, naturopathic doctors can prescribe medications regulated by a specific state. However, the laws may vary from state to state.

How to Become a Naturopathic Doctor – The Steps & Education