Credentials, Professional Titles, Licensing Differences and Scope of Practice for Naturopathic and Integrative Practitioners
How training, exams, licensing, titles and scope of practice differ for naturopathic and integrative practitioners by place, with sourced tables and no ranking of people.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
This page is information only. It does not replace care from a doctor. In a US emergency, call 911. For new, severe or worsening symptoms, see a medical doctor first, and see never delay medical care.
Why a title alone does not tell you much
Words such as "naturopath," "naturopathic doctor," "doctor," "integrative" or "functional" can point to very different training and legal permissions, depending on where you live. In the United States there is no single national system for credentialing complementary health practitioners. Each state decides what credentials a practitioner needs to work there. [1] This page describes training, regulation and scope as official and professional sources state them. It does not rank or judge any group of people.Three kinds of practitioner in the United States
NCCIH, a US government research agency, describes three main types of naturopathic practitioner. [2]| Licensed naturopathic physician (ND) | Traditional naturopath | Other health professionals who offer some naturopathic services | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Training | Graduate-level education at a naturopathic medical school accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) [2] | Various non-accredited programs, varying in length and content [2] | Their own professions' training; for example, physicians can become board-certified in integrative medicine [2] |
| Licensing | Licensed in some jurisdictions; where licensing exists, graduation from a 4-year naturopathic medical college and national board exams are required [2] | Not eligible for licensing [2] | Governed by their own professions' rules |
| Scope | Licensed NDs can diagnose, which may include medical history, physical exams, lab tests and diagnostic imaging, and treat patients; scope varies by state [2] | Not described in the sources we read | Not described in the sources we read |
The table compares training and legal status, not skill or care quality. For a longer side-by-side, see licensed and unlicensed practitioners compared.
How licensing varies by place
| Place | What the sources say | Source |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Licensing is state by state. The CNME lists 23 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands as places that license NDs (our count of its list). NCCIH's older page (last updated May 2018) said 17 states and DC, so the list has changed | [3][1] |
| Canada | CNME lists Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, North West Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Saskatchewan as provinces and territories that regulate NDs | [3] |
| United Kingdom | CNHC describes its register as voluntary; naturopathy is one of the professions it registers | [4][5] |
| Australia | A consumer health site says there is no law governing who can use the description "naturopath" | [6] |
Details are on separate pages: United States by state and Canada, the UK, Australia and elsewhere. Laws change, so confirm with the regulator where you live.
License, certificate, credential: three different things
NCCIH says "credentials" is a broad term that can refer to a license, certification or education. In the United States, government agencies grant and monitor licenses, while professional organizations certify practitioners. [1] A state may use mandatory licensure (a license is needed to provide the service), title licensure (credentials are needed to use the title) or registration (information about training and experience is given to a state agency). [1] More on titles is on title protection and what "doctor" means.Scope of practice: what the law allows
Scope is the list of things a practitioner may legally do. State laws vary widely in the services complementary health practitioners may offer. [1] Some examples from regulators we read:- Ontario, Canada: the College of Naturopaths of Ontario says naturopaths there offer services including acupuncture, drawing blood, and dispensing and prescribing drugs. [7]
- Washington State: the Department of Health lists approved controlled-substance and IV therapy education courses alongside its licensing requirements. [8]
- Oregon: the Board lists "practice areas requiring additional education / training" and prescribing authority as separate topics. [9]
These show that scope is set place by place, not by the title alone. For the full question, see what naturopaths may and may not do.
What a license does not guarantee
NCCIH reminds readers that regulations, licenses or certificates do not guarantee safe, effective treatment from any health care provider, conventional or complementary. [2] Being licensed or certified is not always a guarantee of being qualified. [1] A credential also says nothing about whether a particular test or treatment works; that depends on research, covered in how to evaluate a therapy claim.Who should see a medical doctor first
Anyone with new or severe symptoms, a serious diagnosis, a pregnancy or a sick child needs medical evaluation first. For cancer, NCCIH advises against using unproven products or practices to replace or delay medical treatment. [10] In one published study of people with curable cancers, those who chose alternative medicine alone had a greater risk of death than those who received conventional treatment. [11] Tell every provider about every treatment you use. [12]Frequently asked questions
Is a naturopath the same as a naturopathic doctor?
Not in the United States. NCCIH describes licensed naturopathic physicians who graduate from CNME-accredited schools, and traditional naturopaths who train through non-accredited programs and are not eligible for licensing. [2]
Is naturopathy licensed everywhere?
No. The CNME lists the US states and Canadian provinces that license or regulate NDs, and the list is not every state or province. [3] A consumer health site says Australia has no law governing who can use the description "naturopath." [6]
Does a license mean the treatment will work?
No. NCCIH says regulations, licenses or certificates do not guarantee safe, effective treatment from any provider. [2] The evidence for each test or treatment is a separate question.
Can I rely on a license from another state?
Not automatically. The exam board NABNE says licensing and registration decisions are made solely by the applicable regulatory authorities, and requirements vary by jurisdiction. [13]
Where should I check a practitioner's credentials?
NCCIH suggests asking about education, training, licensing and certifications, and says state regulatory agencies or licensing boards may help. [12] Steps are on how to verify a credential.
References
- Credentialing, Licensing, and Education, NCCIH (US). Last updated May 2018. Read 2026-10-22.
- Naturopathy, NCCIH (US). Last updated April 2025. Read 2026-10-22.
- Resources for Patients: States and Provinces that License Naturopathic Doctors, CNME. Read 2026-10-22.
- Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), UK voluntary register. Read 2026-10-22.
- Who We Register, CNHC (UK). Read 2026-10-22.
- Naturopathy, MyDr (Australian consumer health site). Read 2026-10-22.
- About Naturopaths, College of Naturopaths of Ontario (Canada). Read 2026-10-22.
- Naturopathic Physician Licensing Requirements, Washington State Department of Health. Read 2026-10-22.
- Oregon Board of Naturopathic Medicine, State of Oregon. Read 2026-10-22.
- Cancer and Complementary Health Approaches: What You Need To Know, NCCIH (US). Read 2026-10-22.
- Johnson SB et al. Use of Alternative Medicine for Cancer and Its Impact on Survival. J Natl Cancer Inst 2018. Read 2026-10-22.
- 6 Things To Know When Selecting a Complementary Health Practitioner, NCCIH (US). Read 2026-10-22.
- Licensing and Registration, North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE). Read 2026-10-22.