Naturopaths

Certification or Licensing

To practice medicine as a naturopathic physician, you must be licensed in the state in which you practice. Currently licensing is available in the District of Columbia, 23 states, as well as in the U.S. territories, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. While Florida does have a few licensed naturopaths, the state stopped granting new licenses in the 1960s. As the public's awareness of this field grows and as it becomes more popular, more and more states are considering setting licensing requirements. All state licenses are contingent upon passing the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX), a standardized test for all naturopathic physicians in North America. To maintain their licenses in naturopathic medicine, N.D.s are required to complete a certain amount of continuing education throughout their professional lives.

Naturopathic physicians who practice in unlicensed states are not allowed to practice as physicians. They can still use their skills and knowledge to help people improve their lives, but they usually limit their practices to homeopathy or nutritional counseling.

The American Naturopathic Medical Association (ANMA) is not in favor of licensure. This group is composed of a broader range of naturopaths, including those who do not hold N.D. degrees, those who have received their education through correspondence programs, and those who believe naturopathy treatments should involve only natural methods and nonprescription substances. Instead of licensure, the ANMA offers and promotes certification through its American Naturopathic Certification Board.