Becoming a naturopathic doctor (ND) in Canada takes seven to eight years of post-secondary education, followed by licensing exams. And for many NDs, learning continues well after graduation. Here's a step-by-step look at what that path involves.
Before naturopathic medical school
To apply, students need a three- or four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. They also complete prerequisite courses in general biology, human life sciences, general chemistry, psychology, and the social sciences or humanities, including a course with an essay-writing component.
The four-year program
Canada's accredited naturopathic medical school is the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM), with campuses in Toronto and New Westminster, BC. The full-time program is accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), which also accredits naturopathic programs in the United States. It includes more than 3,000 hours of classroom training and 1,200 hours of clinical experience, and graduates are eligible to apply for licensure in regulated jurisdictions across North America.
The curriculum is case-based, and clinical training starts in the very first term rather than waiting until the end. Here's how the four years build on each other:
Year 1: Building the foundation
First year focuses on the biomedical sciences, such as anatomy, physiology and biochemistry, along with the history, philosophy and principles of naturopathic medicine. Clinical learning starts right away: students begin clinical skills training, observe in the teaching clinic, and start preceptoring, where they observe health care practitioners in the community.
Year 2: Bridging science and practice
The biomedical sciences continue with subjects such as microbiology, immunology, pharmacology and laboratory diagnostics, while students begin studying the clinical sciences and naturopathic therapies. In the clinic, they shadow clinical supervisors to see how patient care works in practice.
Year 3: Moving toward patient care
Courses shift toward clinical practice, as students learn how to assess health conditions and apply naturopathic therapies to them. They also begin their electives. In the clinic, they observe and co-manage patient care alongside senior interns and supervisors.
Year 4: The clinical internship
The final year centres on a full clinical internship, where students manage patient care under the supervision of licensed NDs. Electives and case-based learning tie the program together. Research is part of the training too. At the Boucher campus, for example, students build from research ethics and critical appraisal in first year to an in-depth research paper in third year and a patient case report in their final year.
What students learn
Alongside the biomedical and clinical sciences, CCNM's curriculum covers:
- The history, philosophy and principles of naturopathic medicine
- Clinical nutrition
- Health psychology and lifestyle management
- Botanical (herbal) medicine
- Traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture
- Physical medicine
In third and fourth year, students also take at least four electives. Options have included fertility, integrative oncology, pediatrics, sports medicine, mental health, and special topics in modalities such as botanical medicine, clinical nutrition and homeopathic medicine.
The clinical internship
Before starting fourth year, students must pass a clinic-entry exam. Interns then spend the year largely in clinical practice, taking health histories, performing physical exams, interpreting lab results and developing care plans, all under the supervision of licensed NDs.
At the Toronto campus, interns train at the Schad Naturopathic Clinic and at community health centres that serve underserved populations. At the Boucher campus, interns train at the on-campus Boucher Naturopathic Clinic and can also intern at community health centres across Metro Vancouver and Victoria, including the Vancouver Women's Health Collective. Some students also complete part of their internship at an external private practice under a supervising ND. Across both campuses, CCNM's teaching clinics see more than 45,000 patient visits a year.
Licensing exams
After graduating, students write the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX): • Part I covers the biomedical sciences. • Part II covers the clinical sciences. Provinces may add their own requirements before a graduate can register with the regulator, such as a jurisprudence exam on local laws and standards of practice.
Education after graduation
Licensing is a starting point, not a finish line. After graduation, NDs may continue their education in several ways.
Optional residencies
Residency isn't required to practise, and most NDs go straight into practice once they're licensed. For those who want more supervised experience, CCNM offers a limited number of optional post-graduate residencies. These are typically one to two years long, at CCNM's campuses or affiliated clinics, and combine patient care with mentorship, teaching or research.
Additional certifications
Some therapies require training and certification beyond the core program, such as prescribing certain medications or intravenous therapy in provinces where these are permitted. Requirements are set by each provincial regulator.
Continuing education
Regulated provinces require licensed NDs to complete ongoing continuing education to keep their licence current.
Building on focus areas
Many NDs choose continuing education that builds on particular focus areas, such as pediatrics, digestive health or women's health.
Teaching and research
Some NDs go on to teach, supervise students in clinic, or take part in research.
Why this matters when you're choosing an ND
Knowing what goes into ND training can help you ask informed questions. It's reasonable to ask a practitioner about their continuing education, any certifications relevant to your care, and how they work with your other health care providers. You can also confirm a practitioner's licence through your provincial regulator's public registry.
Find a naturopathic doctor
On NetND, you can browse licensed naturopathic doctors across Canada by focus area and location, and learn more on each practitioner's clinic site.
This article is for general educational purposes and isn't a substitute for individual medical advice. Please speak with a licensed health care provider about your own health.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Please talk with a qualified healthcare provider about your own health.
