Naturopathic doctors educated and trained in accredited naturopathic medical schools in North America are required to complete a four-year, in-residence, hands-on medical program consisting of 4,100 hours of class and clinical training, according to the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), which has launched a new information service for consumers in partnership with the Institute for Natural Medicine that answers Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about naturopathic medicine.
 
The first FAQ released as part of the new service includes information about the curriculum and hands-on training provided by accredited naturopathic medical colleges and the process by which naturopathic doctors are licensed or certified in their states. It also describes prerequisites for entering students, and the similarities and differences between the medical programs for naturopathic doctors and those for conventional medical doctors (MDs) and osteopathic doctors (DOs).
 
“Licensed or regulated naturopathic doctors receive rigorous academic education and hands-on training as primary care physicians comparable and complementary to that of conventional MDs,” said JoAnn Yánez, ND, MPH, CAE, executive director of the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges. “Some go on to specialize in medical disciplines such as oncology or pediatrics, but all emphasize prevention, addressing the root causes of illness and wellness as the approach to optimal health. As a result, our graduates are uniquely positioned, alone or together with conventional MDs and other health care providers, to play a central role in providing Americans with better health outcomes at a lower cost.”

The FAQ, “How are naturopathic doctors educated, trained and licensed?” can be found here on the AANP website.