altmedicine.about.comDifference Between a Naturopath and Naturopathic Doctor

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Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Ⓒ 2024 Dotdash Media, Inc. — All rights reserved Patient Rights Healthcare Team By Trisha Torrey Updated on June 06, 2023 Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT Print Do you know the difference between a naturopath and a naturopathic doctor? If you have an interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches to health or medical treatment, and you live in the right location, you may have access to both. Knowing what these titles and their underlying credentials mean will help you make smart decisions about whether or not these providers can help you. FatCamera / Getty Images Naturopathic Physician or Doctor Naturopathic doctors or naturopathic medical doctors earn ND or NMD degrees from a naturopathic medical school. Both names and abbreviations mean the same thing, but the individual selects the title based on educational institution, state practiced in, or personal preference. In addition to a standard medical curriculum, schools require their graduates to complete four years of training in disciplines such as clinical nutrition, acupuncture , homeopathic medicine , botanical medicine, physical medicine, IV nutritional therapies, and counseling. NDs have their own licensing exams, called the NPLEX, which they must take upon graduating from a four-year accredited institution. The exams cover basic sciences such as anatomy and biochemistry, as well as clinical sciences including pharmacology and, in some states, minor surgery. Naturopathic doctors are not licensed in every state or province in the United States and Canada. As of 2019, there are 22 states plus Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands where you can find a licensed ND. In Canada, citizens may find an ND in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. If you’re looking for a doctor who will treat you by possibly combining allopathic/Western therapies with a CAM approach, then a naturopathic doctor may be the right choice for you. Naturopathic Practitioner or Naturopath There are a handful of careers that are called naturopathic” that aren’t physicians or naturopathic doctors. These non-physician naturopathic careers have titles like "Holistic Health Practitioner," "Naturopathic Practitioner," or "Traditional Naturopath." They study in non-medical schools and universities that may have nature” or naturopathy” in their titles, but this coursework doesn’t lead to a medical degree that’s accepted or licensed as a naturopathic doctor.   Most of the coursework is also online for these schools, sometimes entirely. Insurance Concerns Since naturopaths are not medical doctors their services may not be covered by your health insurance. As well, not all states recognize naturopathic doctors with licensing, therefore, not all NDs are covered by insurance either. A Word From Verywell The differences between the two boil down to the type of education and licensing each receives. If you want to be sure your new integrative doctor has a medical education and license on which to base their advice to you, then look only for a naturopathic doctor. If you’re interested in the natural side of treatment advice—excluding medical knowledge—then a naturopath’s skills may work well for you. Correction - June 6, 2023: This article was updated to clarify that all naturopathic doctors must pass the NPLEX licensing exam. Frequently Asked Questions What is naturopathy? Naturopathy, or naturopathic medicine, is a medical system that focuses on traditional and natural healthcare solutions. A naturopathic practitioner can utilize treatment that involves changes to diet and lifestyle, herbs or other supplements, exercise therapy, psychotherapy and counseling, and more. Naturopathic practitioners are not licensed medical doctors. What is a holistic doctor? A holistic doctor treats a person by examining all the various aspects of their health together. They will look at a person’s physical symptoms, psychological factors, and societal influences in order to determine effective treatment. These services can be considered an alternative form of medicine that can complement conventional healthcare. What is ND and NMD? ND: Naturopathic Doctor NMD: Naturopathic Medical Doctor Both of these names have the same meaning. A person who graduates from a naturopathic medical school selects the title that they prefer. 5 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners. NPLEX Examination Overview . Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges. Naturopathic doctor licensure . Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges. The difference between a traditional naturopath and a licensed naturopathic doctor in North America . 2019. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Naturopathy . Kreitzer MJ. University of Minnesota. What are holistic practices? By Trisha Torrey Trisha Torrey is a patient empowerment and advocacy consultant. She has written several books about patient advocacy and how to best navigate the healthcare system. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? 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