Training & Regulations

ND’s are highly trained medical professionals

Naturopathic medical training in North America is a rigorous process similar in length and content to conventional medical training. Registered (or licensed) Naturopathic Doctors must complete an undergraduate degree, including pre-medical science studies at a recognized university, followed by four years of full-time post-graduate naturopathic training at a college accredited for licensure.

Classroom study includes over 4500 hours of clinical medical sciences along with the study of naturopathic therapies and principles. Additionally, students participate in a 12-month clinical internship, seeing patients while supervised by licensed ND’s. The areas of training in the four year, full-time Naturopathic Medicine curriculum include:

Basic Medical Sciences: anatomy, physiology, histology, microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, pharmacology and pathology
Clinical Disciplines: physical and clinical diagnosis, differential and laboratory diagnosis, radiology, naturopathic assessment and orthopedics
Naturopathic Disciplines: clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine & acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulation and lifestyle counseling and stress management
Clinical Experience: 1500 hours treating patients while supervised by licensed Naturopathic Doctors

Finally, candidates must sit and pass two series of board examinations that have been standardized across North America. Additional exams are written for any jurisdiction the candidate seeks licensure from.

In Canada, ND’s are regulated under provincial law. Here, in Ontario, we have been regulated since 1925. More recently, Naturopathic Medicine is regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) – a move that has secured our title and scope of practice, and continues to increase public confidence and awareness. 

To ensure you are receiving appropriate care, your ND should be listed as a licensed practitioner on the CONO (College of Naturopaths of Ontario) website.

 For more information on Naturopathic Medicine in Ontario, our current regulation and the lobbying efforts of our provincial and federal organizations and current regulatory body, or to lend your support, please review the links in the resource section.