Is naturopathic medicine regulated in Nova Scotia?
Regulation refers to a government-associated board of individuals who ensure that the practitioners of a given profession (in this case, naturopathic medicine) are practicing in such a way that is safe for the public. Naturopathic medicine is not yet officially regulated in Nova Scotia, although it is regulated in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, as well as many of the United States. A naturopathic doctor practicing in Nova Scotia must be licensed under the regulatory board of one of those regulated provinces to become a member of the Nova Scotia Association of Naturopathic Doctors (NSAND). As alluded to above, this ensures professional integrity and accountability to the public. Thanks to these measures, the absence of provincial regulation in Nova Scotia does not have a negative impact on patient care under a registered naturopathic doctor; however, it does mean that patients have to make sure the naturopathic doctor they are seeing is indeed licensed.
