How are Naturopathic Doctors educated and trained?
In line with conventional medical training, training in naturopathic medicine requires a minimum of seven years of post-secondary education from a recognized school before being allowed to register as a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) in Ontario. She or he must have an undergraduate degree, have completed premedical undergraduate coursework, and have completed a four-year, accredited, naturopathic medical education. Graduates must pass two sets of provincial licensing board exams and are required to keep their registration current throughout their career by completing at least 70 hours every three years of approved continuing education.
Naturopathic education encompasses basic and diagnostic sciences – including anatomy, clinical physiology, biochemistry, pathology, embryology, immunology, pharmacology, physical and clinical diagnosis, and lab diagnosis – as well as conventional and naturopathic approaches to improving and maintaining patients’ health.
With over 4,100 hours of classroom training in basic bio-medical sciences, naturopathic principles, and therapeutics, as well as 1,200 hours of supervised clinical practicum. Training also includes standard medical therapeutics such as pharmacology, family medicine, internal medicine and extensive training in naturopathic treatments. Naturopathic Doctors receive extensive training in a variety of disciplines including the following:
- Clinical Nutrition
- Acupuncture
- Botanical Medicine
- Asian Medicine
- Physical Medicine
- Homeopathy
- Lifestyle Counselling