N.M.D.

Naturopathic Medical Doctors artfully blend the wisdom of nature with the rigors of modern science in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of their patients. They are trained as primary care physicians through a four-year, graduate-level medical program. These naturopathic medical schools are accredited by the Council of Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), a professional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition to the standard medical curriculum, physicians are also required to complete training in the following natural therapeutics: physical medicine, clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, environmental medicine, medical psychology/counseling, *minor surgery, and *oriental medicine (acupuncture). Like with conventional medical education, students of naturopathic medicine are required to take rigorous board examinations to show competency of their medical education. The Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) are regulated/written by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners. Licensure and scope of practice vary from state to state. Currently, 18 states, five Canadian Provinces, the District of Columbia, and the United States territories of Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands offer licensure for naturopathic doctors with others pending approval. In order to be eligible for state licensure, graduates CNME approved schools are required to pass all the national board examinations required for the respective state in which they will be licensed to practice. Arizona offers licensure with the widest scope of practice amongst all states, and is governed by the State of Arizona Naturopathic Physician's Medical Board.

*dependent on the school and state