THERAPIES & TRADITIONS · GUIDE
Naturopath, Naturopathic Doctor (ND), Doctor of Naturopathy and Other Titles: What Each Means by Jurisdiction
What the titles naturopath, naturopathic doctor, ND, NMD and Doctor of Naturopathy are described to mean in the US, Ontario, the UK and Australia, set out in neutral parallel terms.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Back to Naturopathy & Integrative PracticesThis page is information only. A title tells you about a person's stated training and the rules they work under. It does not tell you how good any individual is, and it should not replace a conversation with your own doctor.
Why the titles confuse people
The words naturopath, naturopathic doctor, naturopathic physician, ND, NMD and "Doctor of Naturopathy" overlap, and rules differ by country, state and province. NCCIH says the credentials required for complementary health practitioners vary tremendously from state to state. [1] It also says that in the US government agencies grant and monitor licenses while professional organizations certify practitioners. [2] A license and a certificate are different things, and NCCIH adds that being licensed or certified is not always a guarantee of being qualified. [2]Two groups, described in parallel (United States, NCCIH)
| Naturopathic physician | Traditional naturopath | |
|---|---|---|
| Other names | Doctor of Naturopathy (N.D.) or Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (N.M.D.) [3] | Also known simply as "naturopaths" [3] |
| Training | Graduate-level education at a naturopathic medical school accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education [3] | May train through various non-accredited programs, varying in length and content [3] |
| Licensing | Where licensing exists, graduation plus national board exams are required [3] | Not eligible for licensing [3] |
| Scope | Varies by state licensure and regulations [3] | Not described in the NCCIH page for this group |
The accreditor says it is recognized by the US Department of Education and does not accredit programs delivered primarily or entirely online. [4] Programs that are not accredited by it are the ones NCCIH describes for traditional naturopaths. [3]
The Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC), writing in 2023, says the titles "traditional naturopath" and "naturopathic doctor" are not interchangeable. [5] It adds that in some states where naturopathic medicine is not yet regulated, a traditional naturopath may choose to use the title "naturopathic doctor". [5] This is the view of an association of accredited colleges and is stated here as theirs. Whether a given state allows that use is not described in the sources we read, so check the state's own board.
Other parts of the world
| Place | What a regulator or register says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario, Canada | "ND", "naturopathic doctor" and "naturopath" are protected titles. [6] Registrants may use "Dr." with the designation after the name. [7] | Regulator |
| Ontario, graduates | Graduates cannot use the Doctor title before registering, and the college says "Naturopathic Doctor" is not an academic credential. [8] | Regulator |
| United Kingdom | The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council keeps a voluntary register of practitioners. [9] Naturopathy is among the disciplines it lists. [10] | Voluntary register |
| Australia | The professions are not currently regulated under the national registration scheme, according to an independent register. [11] The national agency lists naturopaths among people working in healthcare who are not registered health practitioners. [12] | Register and agency |
Note the difference in wording. Ontario's college says "Naturopathic Doctor" is not an academic credential, [8] while NCCIH uses Doctor of Naturopathy as a degree name. [3] Both describe how the word is used in their own setting. They are not in conflict about people, only about what the term refers to.
Statutes can define the word differently
Written law can predate current professional usage. Florida's chapter 462 on naturopathy has history notes beginning in 1927 and defines naturopathic practice with terms such as suggestotherapy and zone therapy. [13] In Washington State, the Board of Naturopathy tells licensees to look first to their own practice act for what they may do and advertise. [14] The lesson is that the legal meaning of a title sits in the law of the place you are in.Other titles you may see
Dietitians, nutritionists, health coaches, physicians, nurse practitioners and others have their own titles and rules, covered in ND, MD, DO, NP and PA and naturopath, dietitian and nutritionist. For how licensed and unlicensed practitioners compare overall, see the licensed and unlicensed comparison.How to check a title
NCCIH advises finding out about any practitioner's education, training, licensing and certifications. [1] Choose a complementary practitioner as carefully as you would a conventional provider. [15] Look the name up on the regulator's public register where one exists, ask what the letters stand for, and ask who they answer to if you have a complaint. Steps are in how to verify a credential and unlicensed practice and misrepresented titles. No list of practitioners is provided on this site.Frequently asked questions
Is a naturopath the same as a naturopathic doctor?
Not in the US usage NCCIH describes: naturopathic physicians are graduates of accredited schools, while traditional naturopaths may train through non-accredited programs and cannot be licensed. [3] In Ontario both words are protected titles. [6]
Does ND mean the person is licensed?
Not by the letters alone. NCCIH says licensing requirements vary across states and territories. [3] Check the regulator's register for the place where care is given.
Can a naturopathic doctor call themselves "Dr."?
In Ontario, registrants may use "Dr." with the designation. [7] Rules elsewhere are not described in the sources we read.
Is naturopathy regulated in the UK?
The sources we read describe a voluntary register, not a statutory one. [9] Whether the profession is regulated by law is not described in those sources.
Does a license mean the care is good?
No title can promise that. NCCIH says regulations, licenses or certificates do not guarantee safe, effective treatment from any provider, conventional or complementary. [3]
References
- 6 Things To Know When Selecting a Complementary Health Practitioner, NCCIH (US). Read 2026-10-22.
- Credentialing, Licensing, and Education, NCCIH (US). Last updated May 2018. Read 2026-10-22.
- Naturopathy, NCCIH (US). Read 2026-10-22.
- Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), accreditor of naturopathic doctoral programs in the US and Canada. Read 2026-10-22.
- The Difference Between a Licensed Naturopathic Doctor and a Traditional Naturopath in North America, Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC), guest post updated 22 August 2023. Read 2026-10-22.
- About Naturopaths, College of Naturopaths of Ontario (Canada), regulator. Read 2026-10-22.
- Registrants and Titles, College of Naturopaths of Ontario. Read 2026-10-22.
- Non-Registrants & Titles, College of Naturopaths of Ontario. 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.
- Our Regulatory Framework, Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists (ARONAH), an independent register. Read 2026-10-22.
- Registers of practitioners, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). Read 2026-10-22.
- Chapter 462, Naturopathy, 2025 Florida Statutes, Florida Senate. Read 2026-10-22.
- Protected Terms (PDF), Washington Board of Naturopathy notice. Read 2026-10-22.
- Are You Considering a Complementary Health Approach?, NCCIH (US). Read 2026-10-22.