May 5, 2017
Washington, DC – Naturopathic doctors educated and trained in accredited naturopathic
medical schools in North America are required to complete a 4-year, in-residence, handson
medical program consisting of 4,100 hours of class and clinical training. This is according
to the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), which today launched a new
information service for consumers in partnership with the Institute for Natural Medicine that
answers Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about naturopathic medicine.
The first FAQ released as part of the new service includes information about the curriculum
and hands-on training provided by accredited naturopathic medical colleges and the process
by which naturopathic doctors are licensed or certified in their states. It also describes
prerequisites for entering students, and the similarities and differences between the medical
programs for naturopathic doctors and those for conventional medical doctors (MDs) and
osteopathic doctors (DOs).
“Licensed or regulated naturopathic doctors receive rigorous academic education and handson
training as primary care physicians comparable and complementary to that of
conventional MDs,” said JoAnn Yánez, ND, MPH, CAE, executive director of the Association
of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges. “Some go on to specialize in medical disciplines
such as oncology or pediatrics, but all emphasize prevention, addressing the root causes of
illness and wellness as the approach to optimal health. As a result, our graduates are
uniquely positioned, alone or together with conventional MDs and other health care
providers, to play a central role in providing Americans with better health outcomes at a
lower cost.”
The FAQ, “How are naturopathic doctors educated, trained and licensed?” can be found on the AANP website.
###