Obtaining certification as an ND, a Naturopathic Doctor, requires years of study. At the leading naturopathic schools, such as Bastyr University in Seattle, you usually must complete a four-year undergraduate program, a graduate program and then pass an exam that is administered by the American Naturopathic Medical Certification Board. There are several other routes to obtaining certification as an ND. A combination of education and experience may be sufficient to allow you to take the ANMCB exam.
Step 1
Obtain an undergraduate degree, or an equivalent amount of classroom and clinical experience. To accomplish this, you must attend a school such as Bastyr University in Seattle to receive your undergraduate degree. You will study medicine, both conventional and alternative, as well as other subjects such as biology, botany and chemistry.
Step 2
Attend a graduate school that awards master's or doctorate degrees in naturopathy. You can also obtain sufficient education and professional expertise to be eligible to take the AMNCB. At Bastyr University, for example, you can specialize and obtain graduate degrees in such subjects as oriental medicine and acupuncture, nutrition and exercise science.
Step 3
Pass the ANMCB exam and become a board-certified ND. The certificate from the ANMCB is the equivalent of passing the medical board exam and becoming a certified medical doctor.
Step 4
Complete 20 hours of continuing education every year, submit the appropriate documentation and pay the required fees to renew and keep your ND certification current.
Tips and Warnings
- Naturopathic care is covered by some types of insurance and in some states. If you are certified as a Naturopathic Doctor, you may want to practice in a state where the most people are covered for naturopathic care.
- Although naturopathy has gained increasing acceptance in America as of 2011, you should be aware that some people don't consider naturopaths to be "real" doctors. The ANMCB encourages you to use your designation as a board-certified ND to build up your practice, since most people prefer to be treated by a certified ND.
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