How to Become a Naturopathic Doctor


Naturopathic doctor using acupressure techniques

Naturopathic doctors are licensed medical doctors who integrate the best of conventional medicine with botanical, nutritional and homeopathic therapies. They assess not only their patients’ physical health but their emotional, mental and spiritual health as well, informed by the philosophy of treating the whole person and not just the symptoms. Naturopathic doctors use conventional and alternative treatments to complement each other, giving them a toolkit that is considerably more diverse than that of traditional doctors. They experience the satisfaction of helping patients overcome their immediate health issues while also addressing the behaviors and belief systems that underlie the symptoms at hand. Naturopathic doctors help their patients recover today and prepare for a healthier tomorrow.

Work Environment

Naturopathic doctors work in hospitals, community health centers, private practices and clinics. Working as a doctor typically brings long, irregular and overnight hours, and requires periods of being “on-call.” To be "on-call" means to be available overnight and on weekends to answer patient and nurse calls, prescribe medications, and make emergency office or hospital visits when necessary.



A four-year graduate degree from a medical school is required to become a naturopathic doctor. It is important to find an accredited naturopathic program - for example, Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington and San Diego, California. Naturopathic doctors are trained in traditional medical subjects such as physiology, anatomy, neurology, radiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, pediatrics and gynecology. Additional alternative subjects (that a traditional MD does not study) include acupuncture, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, botanical and nutritional medicine, and more. The Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree (ND) requires passing practical exams in addition to classroom study and clinical experience.


Similar to a medical doctor, a naturopathic doctor will dedicate the first two years of medical school to classroom study, and the last two years to hands-on training. The training, in the specialty area of medicine that the doctor would like to pursue, is supervised by licensed doctors.

Licensing and/or Certification

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia require naturopathic doctors to be licensed. These states require that the doctor attend an accredited four-year naturopathic medical school and pass a postdoctoral board exam, the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX).

Necessary Skills and Qualities

Doctors must be patient, empathetic and able to make quick decisions. They need to work well with others, and enjoy hard work. The specialty of naturopathy requires a passion for the “whole body” philosophy as well as an interest in balancing traditional and alternative medicines and trying new therapies.

Opportunities for Advancement

Moving up within the field of naturopathic medicine can mean moving up to supervisor or management positions within a doctor’s office or hospital. Becoming a professor is another advancement opportunity.

If you would like to gain the necessary education to become a naturopathic doctor, we highly recommend that you check out our free School Finder Tool located HERE.


According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for health diagnosing and treating practitioners - such as naturopathic doctors - was $86,720 as of May 2013. Income depends to an extent on the experience, area of study and the location of the job. For example, working in a private doctors' office will earn a doctor more than at a hospital or government-run clinic.

Meanwhile, the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges estimates that NDs on average earn between $80,000 and $90,000 per year, though some may earn as much as $200,000 yearly.

Job Outlook

As with many health-related careers, the future appears bright. Due to an aging population, as well as increased interest in alternative medicine, naturopathic doctors can expect job growth of 8-14% between the years 2012 and 2022, according to O*Net and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means that ND jobs will grow at least as fast as average, but could grow slightly faster than average.

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