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Naturopathic Doctor — ND/NMD
Total cost: $405
3 sources cited · Last verified March 2026 · Every number on this page links to its official source
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Yes
License Required
Yes
NPLEX Required
Yes
Prescriptive Auth.
No
Minor Surgery
Varies
CE Hours
$405
Total Initial Fees
CNME-Accredited Program & Degree
VerifiedCNME Program
Required
Program Length
4 years (full-time resident program)
Degree Level
Degree of doctor of naturopathy or naturopathic medicine from a minimum 4-year full-time resident program accredited by or with candidate status from CNME or board-approved organization
Accredited Schools
Must graduate from a CNME-accredited or candidate-status naturopathic medical program.
Naturopathic doctors must complete a 4-year post-graduate doctoral program from a CNME-accredited (Council on Naturopathic Medical Education) naturopathic medical school. The program includes approximately 4,100 hours of classroom and clinical training covering biomedical sciences, clinical sciences, botanical medicine, nutrition, physical medicine, homeopathy, pharmacology, and supervised clinical rotations. There are currently 7 CNME-accredited programs in the United States and Canada.
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NPLEX & State Examinations
VerifiedNPLEX Examination Required
Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations
NPLEX Parts
NPLEX Part I – Biomedical Science Examination and Part II – Core Clinical Science Examination; verification sent directly from NABNE to the Board
Jurisprudence Exam
No State Jurisprudence Exam
The NPLEX (Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations) consists of two parts: Part I covers biomedical sciences (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, and pharmacology) and Part II covers clinical sciences (diagnosis, botanical medicine, nutrition, physical medicine, homeopathy, counseling, minor surgery, pharmacology, and emergency medicine). All licensing states require passage of both parts. Some states additionally require a state-specific jurisprudence examination.
Overall licensing difficulty: 45/100
Study recommendation: Most candidates study 2–4 weeks
Practice with realistic exam questions
NPLEX (Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam)
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Naturopathic Medicine Exam Prep
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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Study guides for the NPLEX licensing exam.
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State Licensing Requirements
VerifiedState License/Registration Required
State License Title
Licensed Naturopath
Additional Notes
First-time applicant fee $405 (prorated); temporary license $100 applied toward initial fee.
Approximately 25 states plus the District of Columbia license or register naturopathic doctors. States without licensure include Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Only graduates of CNME-accredited programs qualify for state licensure.
Practice Scope & Authority
VerifiedPrescriptive Authority
Yes
Minor Surgery
No
Natural Childbirth
No
IV Therapy
Yes
Scope Details
North Dakota naturopaths practice within a scope defined by the Board of Medicine. Practice includes diagnostic testing, nutritional counseling, botanical medicine, and naturopathic modalities. No residency training is required for licensure.
Naturopathic doctor scope of practice varies enormously by state. States with the broadest scope (Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Vermont, Montana) allow prescriptive authority including some controlled substances, minor surgery, natural childbirth attendance, and IV therapy. Other states have more limited scope covering diagnostic testing, nutritional counseling, botanical medicine, and physical medicine only. In unlicensed states, naturopathic practice may be unregulated or prohibited.
Prescriptive & Procedural Authority
VerifiedPrescriptive Authority Granted
NDs may prescribe medications from an approved formulary
Minor Surgery
Not Authorized
Natural Childbirth
Not Authorized
IV Therapy
Authorized
Prescriptive authority for naturopathic doctors varies significantly by state. States with the broadest authority (Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Vermont, Montana) allow NDs to prescribe most non-controlled substances and some controlled substances with DEA registration. Other states limit NDs to a defined formulary of natural and synthetic substances. DEA registration may be available in states with prescriptive authority for controlled substances. Always verify current prescriptive authority with the state licensing board.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $405 |
License Fee | Included in licensing fee (prorated for cycle) |
Renewal Fee | $400 (active); $200 (inactive) |
Total Initial Fees First-time applicant licensing fee $405 (prorated as of April 1, 2024); temporary license $100 (applied toward initial fee) | $405 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2-year licensing cycle expiring December 31st of each odd-numbered year
Renewal Period
—
CE Hours Required
$400 (active); $200 (inactive)
Renewal Fee
CE Details
Continuing education requirements apply per Board regulations. Contact the Board for specific CE hour requirements.
Regulatory Board
Naturopathic doctor licenses must be renewed on schedule with the state licensing authority. Most licensing states require 20-40 continuing education hours per renewal cycle in naturopathic medicine, pharmacology, clinical sciences, diagnostic techniques, botanical medicine, nutrition, and related professional topics. Some states require specific CE hours in pharmacology for NDs with prescriptive authority.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedEndorsement Available
Yes
Comity Available
No
Reciprocity Requirements
Most states that license naturopathic doctors offer reciprocity or endorsement for licensed NDs from other states. Requirements typically include verification of current ND licensure in good standing, graduation from a CNME-accredited program, passage of NPLEX Parts I and II, and completion of a background check. Some states may require a state-specific jurisprudence exam. Scope of practice may differ between states.
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North Dakota uses the title 'Naturopath' in its statutes rather than 'Naturopathic Doctor.' No residency training is required for licensure, but if completed, a Naturopathic Postgraduate Training Form must be submitted. Temporary licensure ($100) is available and the fee is credited toward the initial license. Licenses renew on December 31 of odd-numbered years.
First-time applicant fee $405 (prorated); temporary license $100 applied toward initial fee.
Renewal $400 active / $200 inactive; renews December 31 of odd-numbered years.
No residency training required for licensure.
NPLEX scores must be sent directly from NABNE to the Board.
North Dakota uses the title 'Naturopath' rather than 'Naturopathic Doctor' in statutes.
Governed under ND Century Code Chapter 43-58.
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Naturopathic Doctor Schools in North Dakota
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North Dakota licenses/registers naturopathic doctors. Prescriptive authority is granted. NPLEX Parts I and II are required. All licensing is managed through the North Dakota Board of Medicine.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.