When searching for a Naturopathic Doctor or Natural Health Practitioner, you may come across individuals who call themselves “Naturopaths” or claim to be a Naturopathic Doctor but may not necessarily have the appropriate and expected level of training or education. It’s important to know what credentials and formal education your Naturopathic Doctor should have when searching for the right practitioner in Virginia.

Not All Doctors Are Created Equal: Know Your NDs Credentials

At this time, naturopathic medicine is not regulated in some but not all 50 states. Virginia is currently one of the states that does not yet regulate Naturopathic Doctors. Unfortunately, this lack of regulation means that some individuals who do not meet the educational standards of the profession are able to call themselves “naturopaths” or “NDs.” These individuals may have degrees or diplomas from distance-learning schools, weekend seminars, home-study schools that operate without state or federal authority to grant degrees, or schools/certifying agencies without naturopathic programs or faculty that confer naturopathic credentials based on other kinds of health education. None of these programs qualify a candidate to sit for national board exams or to receive formal naturopathic licensure in any state.

In some states, individuals misusing ND credentials are able to “claim” the title simply by paying a fee for a business license that requires no evidence of education. Patients should know what to look for when they seek the services of a trained and licensed Naturopathic Doctor. Only state licensure can guarantee the training and safety to which patients are entitled. Look closely at where your naturopathic doctor received their training. If this information is not listed on their website, ask them where they received their credentials and if it is from an accredited institution for clinical practice.

RNM Naturopathic Doctors Meet the Highest Standards

A formal Naturopathic Doctor education begins with a traditional four-year pre-med undergraduate degree. Following the completion of undergraduate requirements, Richmond Natural Medicine doctors train at any one of six accredited naturopathic colleges accredited by the United States Department of Education. This graduate education includes a minimum of four years, with the first two years focusing on basic sciences, pathology, & diagnosis. The last two years are concentrated around a variety of natural therapies, including botanical medicine, nutrition, physical manipulation, homeopathy, minor surgery, and pharmacology. Specialty focus is also given towards individual organ systems, with classes in gastroenterology, proctology, cardiology, gynecology, and neurology.

After graduation, all Naturopathic Doctors must pass national board exams and state licensing exams. For NDs who practice in states that do not offer a license (such as Virginia), practitioners hold a license in a different licensed state, so as to be held to regulation and continuing education requirements. For more detailed information on this please visit the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges.

Richmond Natural Medicine is proud to offer services from professional, licensed, and experienced practitioners that have completed accredited and legitimate training programs recognized by the Department of Education.

Read More: Naturopathic Medicine at Richmond Natural Medicine

If you are searching for the right Naturopathic Doctor with appropriate credentials and training, check out these online directories:

• Virginia Association of Naturopathic Medicine
• American Association of Naturopathic Physicians

Learn more about our Naturopathic Doctors at Richmond Natural Medicine.