How are Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) trained?
Naturopathic doctors take a minimum of three years pre-medical studies at university, followed by four years at one of four recognized colleges of naturopathic medicine. The only one in Canada is the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine . The education encompasses basic medical sciences, naturopathic principles and therapeutics, and 1,500 hours of supervised clinical experience. In regulated (or licensed) provinces and states across North America , graduates must also pass rigorous standardized exams to qualify to practice. In Canada , naturopathic doctors are regulated in British Columbia , Manitoba , Ontario and Saskatchewan . Legislation is pending in Alberta and Nova Scotia .
