How long do naturopathic doctors go to school?

Like conventional physicians, naturopathic doctors undergo rigorous academic and clinical training prior to practice. Typically naturopathic doctors go to school for eight years. There are currently 20 states in the U.S. that provide licensing for naturopathic doctors. According to the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, a naturopathic doctor must complete a bachelor’s degree and an accredited four-year residential naturopathic medical program, and pass an extensive postdoctoral board examination, the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX), in order to receive a license or registration to practice medicine.

The first two years of the residential naturopathic medical program cover many of the same areas of study as conventional medical schools. Naturopathic doctors provide primary patient holistic care. The goal of naturopathic medicine is preventative care and a focus on low force intervention healing methods. This can include natural medicines, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, homeopathy and much more. Naturopathic doctors often work in tandem with conventional medical doctors, as the two practices complement one another.