Alternative medicine is making it's way into mainstream healthcare as more potential doctors choose to study naturopathic medicine. Naturopathic physicians and practitioners can be found working in many common healthcare facilities such as hospitals, private practices and clinics. http://www.naturopathic.org/content.asp?pl=16&sl=60&contentid=60 Abiding by the six principles of naturopathic medicine, these doctors take a holistic and healing approach to common ailments, and provide natural remedies as well as preventative techniques. The six fundamental principles of naturopathic medicine are:http://www.aanmc.org/naturopathic-medicine/the-6-principles.php

1. The Healing Power of Nature – allowing the body to heal itself.
2. Identify and Treat the Causes – addressing causes of symptoms, not only the symptoms themselves.
3. First Do No Harm – providing care by using the very least invasive or harmful treatments possible.
4. Doctor as Teacher – educating patients to assist in achieving and maintaining health.
5. Treat the Whole Person – combining treatment with consideration to the physical and spiritual planes.
6. Prevention – practicing prevention techniques and methods for health and wellness.

If you have considered joining the field of healthcare providers, perhaps this gentle approach can be a rewarding alternative to traditional medicine. This style of medicine focuses it's study in areas such as nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, diagnosis, emergency medicine, psychology, pharmacology, acupuncture and more. http://www.aanmc.org/naturopathic-medicine/nd-primary-care-provider.php It encompasses many natural healing methods and utilizes its holistic approach when providing treatments to patients. Each individual is treated based upon their own body and spiritual wellness, rather than providing textbook treatments. This page will provide information that will highlight the steps needed to learn how to become a naturopathic doctor, what educational requirements are necessary and what career opportunities are available to physicians in this field.

The first step to becoming a naturopathic doctor is to successfully complete high school. Students that are still attending high school need to keep in mind that achieving high scores and maintaining an acceptable grade point average will prove to be a valuable element when apply for college admissions. If possible, choose electives that are associated with the sciences such as biology or botany. You can also choose advanced placement courses. These can better prepare you for the college courses that you will be taking soon. Once you have completed high school, you are ready to begin college. To be admitted to a naturopathic medical school, college graduates must complete the coursework necessary to achieve a bachelor's degree. Your regular courses will include the required classes for graduation and those associated with your major, however the naturopathic medical schools that are members of the AANMC or Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges require specific undergraduate courses. These courses may include:http://www.aanmc.org/education/academic-prerequisites.php

1. Physics
2. Chemistry or biochemistry
3. Biology
4. Math
5. Psychology
6. Anatomy
7. Botany

It's important to check with the school you are considering attending to know exactly what prerequisite courses are necessary for admission. Not only may these courses be required, but they are all designed to provide a strong background that will assist you in your graduate studies.

After successfully earning a bachelor's degree and satisfying all the required prerequisite courses, college graduate are ready to embark on the 4 year journey through naturopathic medical school. Only students that attend an accredited naturopathic medical college will be eligible for licensing. There are currently seven schools that have met the requirements for coursework and curriculum to be accredited by the AANMC. Graduates from the following schools will be considered eligible for licensing to practice naturopathic medicine upon completion of the graduate program and residency requirements.http://www.naturopathic.org/content.asp?pl=16&sl=56&contentid=56

1. Bastyr University located in Seattle ,Washingtonhttp://www.bastyr.edu/
2. Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine located in Vancouver, British Columbia , Canadahttp://www.binm.org/
3. Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine located in Toronto, Ontario, Canadahttp://www.ccnm.edu/
4. National College of Natural Medicine located in Portland, Oregonhttp://www.ncnm.edu/
5. National University of Health Sciences located in Chicago, Illinoishttp://www.nuhs.edu/
6. Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences located in Phoenix, Arizonahttp://www.scnm.edu/
7. University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine located in Bridgeport, Connecticuthttps://www.bridgeport.edu/pages/3240.asp

Each of these colleges offer an extensive four year graduate program centered around the holistic an healing field of naturopathic medicine. Students will study a standard medical curriculum but also will take courses that support the natural healing element and therapies that support wellness and prevention. The basic curriculum consists of courses that reflect elements of both traditional medicine and alternative treatment. These courses may include: Anatomy, pathology, immunology, pharmacology, neuroscience, counseling, clinical diagnosis, minor surgery and other sciences. http://www.aanmc.org/education/academic-curriculum.php

Throughout the first and second years of studies, the primary focus for students is academic. When a student reaches their third and fourth year of study, they are given the opportunity to perform clinical studies with live patients and complete a residency. This is not a requirement, however many students choose to take advantage of this during these years or after graduating. Because the residency sponsors are held to strict standards, they are approved through the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education. http://www.aanmc.org/education/naturopathic-residencies.php

Because naturopathic medicine is considered an alternative practice and an unconventional way of treating patients, there are variances between each state for licensing and practicing limitations. There are currently fifteen states and five Canadian provinces that have licensing guidelines for naturopathic doctors. These include:http://www.aanmc.org/careers/naturopathic-doctor-licensure.php

1. Alaska
2. Arizona
3. California
4. Connecticut
5. District of Columbia
6. Hawaii
7. Idaho
8. Kansas
9. Maine
10. Montana
11. New Hampshire
12. Utah
13. Vermont
14. Washington
15. Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands

Canadian provinces are:

1. British Columbia
2. Manitoba
3. Nova Scotia
4. Ontario
5. Saskatchewan

These states and provinces require those who wish to practice naturopathic medicine to attend and complete approved curriculum from an accredited college. Graduates must then successfully pass the NPLEX or Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations exams. The NPLEX is a three part exam which includes:http://www.nabne.org/nabne_page_23.php

1. Part I the Biomedical Science Examination. This portion of the exam covers subjects such as  anatomy, physiology, biochemistry & genetics, microbiology & immunology, and pathology.http://www.nabne.org/nabne_page_23.php
2. Part II Core Clinical Science Examination. In this exam, graduate are evaluated in the following areas. Emergency medicine, diagnosis, medical procedure, botany, pharmacology, nutrition, homeopathy, counseling, public health and research.http://www.nabne.org/nabne_page_23.php
3. Part II the Clinical Elective Examination. This final portion consists of testing for minor surgery and acupuncture. http://www.nabne.org/nabne_page_23.php

It is best to consult your state's licensing board to learn what the requirements for your state are, and what the limitations are for practicing naturopathic medicine in your state. There are several areas that have current pending legislation that will provide regulations for licensing and limitation for naturopathic doctors. These are:http://www.aanmc.org/careers/naturopathic-doctor-licensure.php

1. Alberta, Canada
2. Colorado
3. Illinois
4. Iowa
5. Massachusetts
6. New York
7. North Carolina
8. Pennsylvania
9. Wisconsin