Education

Naturopathic education

After completing a pre-med degree, naturopathic medical students attend a four-year, accredited naturopathic medical school. The curriculum includes:

  • basic, medical, and clinical sciences
  • interpretation of lab tests (blood, radiology, etc.)
  • naturopathic therapeutics such as clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy and lifestyle counselling
  • clinical internship

Upon graduation, naturopathic doctors must pass 2 sets of international North American board exams (NPLEX) in order to obtain a license to practice naturopathic medicine. Their extensive training positions naturopathic doctors as highly educated natural health professionals.

Accredited naturopathic medical programs

The following naturopathic medical programs are recognized by government-appointed naturopathic regulatory boards:

Additional practice requirements

NDs practicing in Nova Scotia must:

  • hold a doctor of naturopathic medicine degree/diploma conferred upon him/her by an accredited or candidate school of naturopathic medicine, legally chartered to grant a four year degree or diploma;
  • have written and passed NPLEX (Naturopathic Physician Licensing Examinations), the recognized, standardized North American board examination;
  • maintain membership in the Nova Scotia Association of Naturopathic Doctors (NSAND) and the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND);
  • maintain continuing education requirements outlined by NSAND and CAND.