What a naturopathic doctor does
NDs work in clinics, medical centers and some hospitals, and see people of all ages.
- Testing: they may order blood work or imaging and coordinate with your other doctors.
- Lifestyle care: nutrition, physical activity, sleep and stress.
- Natural therapies: herbs and supplements, hydrotherapy, and in some states acupuncture.
- Medical treatment, where state law allows: some states let NDs prescribe certain medicines or do minor procedures. Cleveland Clinic notes NDs try to limit the drugs they prescribe.
Is a naturopathic doctor a real doctor?
A licensed ND holds a doctoral degree and passes national board exams, but the training is different from medical school, and federal Medicare law does not count NDs as physicians. Three titles get mixed up:
| Title | Training | Licensed? |
|---|---|---|
| Naturopathic doctor (ND or NMD) | 4-year graduate program at a naturopathic medical school accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education, then national board exams | Licensed or regulated in 23 states, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands |
| Traditional naturopath | Various non-accredited programs | Not eligible for licensing |
| Medical doctor (MD) or osteopathic doctor (DO) | Allopathic or osteopathic medical school | Licensed to practice medicine and surgery in every state |
Some MDs, DOs and chiropractors also offer naturopathic-style care. See what integrative medicine is for how those fields overlap.
Licensing varies by state
In states that license NDs, graduates of a 4-year naturopathic school must pass board exams and keep up continuing education. The state sets what an ND may do, including whether they can prescribe or do minor procedures.
To check someone, look them up on your state's naturopathic or medical licensing board. If your state doesn't license NDs, Cleveland Clinic suggests checking the school's accreditation, board exam results and an active license from another state. NCCIH adds that a license or certificate doesn't by itself ensure safe, effective treatment.
Using a naturopath safely
- Tell every clinician you see about the herbs and supplements you take. Some interact with prescription medicines.
- Don't stop a prescribed medicine without talking to the clinician who prescribed it.
- Some conditions need conventional care, such as antibiotics for a bacterial infection or cancer treatment. Naturopathic care works alongside it, not instead of it.
Call 911 or go to an emergency room, not a naturopath or chiropractor, for chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, trouble speaking), severe bleeding, or sudden severe pain.
Finding an ND with Gabriel
Gabriel finds and books root-cause and holistic practitioners, including naturopaths, chiropractors, acupuncturists, functional medicine doctors and massage therapists, and files superbills for out-of-network reimbursement. Learn more about a naturopathic consultation, or read how to find a licensed naturopathic doctor near you.
Common questions
Is a naturopathic doctor a real doctor?
A licensed ND holds a doctoral degree from a 4-year accredited naturopathic school and passes board exams, but is not a medical doctor (MD). What an ND may do depends on state law.
What is the difference between an ND and an MD?
MDs graduate from medical school and are licensed to practice medicine and surgery in every state. NDs train at naturopathic medical schools and are licensed or regulated in 23 states plus D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Can a naturopathic doctor prescribe medication?
In some states that license NDs, yes, for certain medicines. It depends entirely on state law, so ask the ND what their license allows.
Is a naturopath the same as a naturopathic doctor?
Not always. "Naturopathic doctor" usually means a licensed graduate of an accredited 4-year school; a traditional naturopath trains through non-accredited programs and can't be licensed.
What does a naturopathic doctor treat?
NDs see people for a wide range of concerns, often long-term ones like digestion, energy, sleep or hormones, using lifestyle changes, natural therapies and, where allowed, medicines. Ask what experience they have with your concern.
Sources
- Naturopathy National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, NIH
- Naturopathy Cleveland Clinic
- Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Health: What's In a Name? National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, NIH
- 42 U.S. Code 1395x, Definitions (Social Security Act section 1861) Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
This guide is general information, not medical advice. It does not replace a visit with a licensed clinician. Gabriel membership is not health insurance.