Naturopathic students attend a four-year school with the following subjects as part of their basic science curriculum:

• Anatomy with lab • Biochemistry • Microbiology

• Pathology • Physiology • Public health

The curriculum also includes specialized topics:

• Cardiology • Gastroenterology • Neurology • Urology • Proctology • Dermatology

• EENT • Gynecology • Obstetrics • Pediatrics • Geriatrics

A well-rounded naturopathic curriculum includes many treatment modalities:

• Hydrotherapy • Homeopathy • Botanical medicine • Nutrition • Spinal and extremity manipulation

• Physiotherapy • Counseling • Minor surgery • Pharmacology

Naturopathic doctors also participate in a clinical program which spans over two years. Finally, naturopathic doctors must have passed two rigorous sets of board exams lasting four days before they can be licensed to practice. It is a guarantee that graduates from these schools have received a very thorough education and excellent experience in treating patients as a general practitioner and physician.

Naturopathic doctors are currently regulated in thirteen states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In Colorado, the practice of naturopathic medicine is not yet regulated. As a prospective patient, you are encouraged to understand the differences in education and training between those trained as licensed naturopathic physicians, and those people calling themselves naturopaths who were educated through correspondence courses. The most effective way to discern whether a person has the proper training to call themselves a naturopathic physician is whether they attended one of the US Department of Education accredited four-year naturopathic medical schools that award the degree of Naturopathic Physician in the United States:

Bastyr University
University of Bridgeport – College of Naturopathic Medicine
National College of Natural Medicine
Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine

The Colorado Association of Naturopathic Doctors believes that regulation of naturopathic doctors as primary care physicians is in the best interest of the consumer. Regulation guarantees that a patient wishing to see a naturopathic doctor will be given excellent treatment by a highly-qualified health care professional.

If you would like more information, or would like to support the regulation of naturopathic doctors as primary care physicians in Colorado, please visit the Colorado Association of Naturopathic Doctors website.