Naturopathic Doctor and Medical Doctor Compared: Training, Scope and Roles
Naturopathic doctors (ND) and medical doctors (MD) compared by training, exams, licensing and scope of practice, using what accreditors and regulators say. No ranking.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Information only. This page describes training and rules; it does not rank people or professions, and it does not replace medical care. For chest pain, stroke signs or a severe allergic reaction, call 911 in the US.
What this page compares
Both professions are described here by the same four things: schooling, exams, licensing and scope of practice, as official or professional sources state them. Rules differ by state, province and country, so each statement names where it applies. Statements from a profession's own bodies are attributed as that profession's view.Side by side (United States unless noted)
| Topic | Naturopathic doctor (ND or NMD) | Medical doctor (MD) |
|---|---|---|
| School | A typically 4-year graduate program at a school accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education. [1] | A 4-year medical school after a bachelor's degree, leading to an M.D. or a D.O. [2] |
| Accreditor | CNME is described by the school association AANMC as the only accrediting body recognized by the US Department of Education for naturopathic medical programs in the US and Canada. [3] | The Liaison Committee on Medical Education accredits programs leading to the MD degree. [4] |
| Hours | AANMC says graduates complete more than 4,100 contact hours, including at least 1,200 hours of supervised clinical training. [3] | Hours of instruction are not stated in the sources we read. |
| After school | AANMC says some licensed NDs go on to post-doctoral residencies. [3] | Residency, typically 3 to 9 years depending on specialty. [2] |
| Exams | The NPLEX, which measures minimal competence in the knowledge needed to be a safe naturopathic practitioner. [5] | Standardized national exams are part of licensure. [2] |
| License | Required in places that license NDs; passing the exam does not guarantee a license, which regulators decide. [5] | All states require physicians to be licensed; requirements vary by state. [2] |
Scope of practice
NCCIH says licensed NDs can diagnose, which may include medical history, physical exams, lab tests and diagnostic imaging, and treat patients, and that scope varies by state licensure and regulations. [1] AANMC says that in some states licensed NDs can prescribe pharmaceuticals, administer vaccinations and perform minor surgery. [3] In Ontario, Canada, the regulator says naturopaths offer services including acupuncture, drawing blood, and dispensing and prescribing drugs, and that "ND", "naturopathic doctor" and "naturopath" are protected titles. [7] Whether a given ND can do any of these where you live depends on local law; see scope of practice.The CNME states that NDs provide individual and family primary health care. [8] Whether insurers, hospitals or other professional bodies treat NDs and MDs as equivalent is not described in the sources we read.
Training is not the same as evidence for a treatment
A degree and a license show what training and exams someone completed. They do not show that every treatment that person offers works. NCCIH says regulations, licenses or certificates do not guarantee safe, effective treatment from any provider, conventional or complementary. [1] Evidence for specific treatments is covered on naturopathy and science.Serious illness
In a published study of people with curable cancers, those who chose alternative medicine alone had a higher risk of death than matched patients who had conventional cancer treatment. [9] Whoever you see, tell all your providers about the approaches you use. [10] Do not stop or change prescribed medicines without talking to your prescriber. Learn more on coordinating complementary and medical care.Frequently asked questions
Is a naturopathic doctor a medical doctor?
They are different degrees from different schools. NDs hold a Doctor of Naturopathy or Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree, while MDs hold a Doctor of Medicine degree from medical schools accredited by the LCME. [1][4]
Can a naturopathic doctor prescribe medicine?
It depends on the state or province. AANMC says NDs can prescribe in some states, and Ontario's regulator lists prescribing among naturopaths' services there. [3][7]
Are all naturopaths licensed?
No. NCCIH says traditional naturopaths may train in non-accredited programs and are not eligible for licensing. [1] See titles compared.
How do I check someone's credentials?
Ask for the exact title and the license number, then look them up with the state or provincial regulator. NCCIH advises learning about a practitioner's education, training, licensing and certifications. [10] A step-by-step guide is at how to verify a credential.
Which should I see first for a new serious symptom?
For urgent symptoms call 911 (US). This site's guidance is that serious, new or worsening symptoms need a doctor's evaluation first. NCCIH advises selecting a complementary practitioner with the same care you would use in choosing a conventional medical provider. [6]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Where each is licensed
References
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), Naturopathy, last updated April 2025. Read 2026-10-22.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Physicians and Surgeons, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Read 2026-10-22.
- Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC; a school association, so this is the profession's own view), The Difference Between a Licensed Naturopathic Doctor and a Traditional Naturopath in North America, updated August 22, 2023. Read 2026-10-22.
- Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), About the LCME. Read 2026-10-22.
- North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE), Licensing and Registration. Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH, Credentialing, Licensing, and Education, last updated May 2018. Read 2026-10-22.
- College of Naturopaths of Ontario, About Naturopaths. Read 2026-10-22.
- Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), Resources for Patients. Read 2026-10-22.
- Johnson SB, Park HS, Gross CP, Yu JB. Use of Alternative Medicine for Cancer and Its Impact on Survival. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2018. Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH, 6 Things To Know When Selecting a Complementary Health Practitioner. Read 2026-10-22.