Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are trained to diagnose, manage, and treat both acute and chronic health conditions using natural therapies. These may include nutrition, lifestyle counseling, botanical medicine, nutritional supplements, hydrotherapy, physical medicine, and homeopathy. NDs approach care holistically, taking into account all factors that influence health and contribute to the development of disease. Rather than simply treating the symptoms, they aim to identify and and treat the underlying causes.

NDs believe that the body has an innate ability to heal itself. Their role is to support and facilitate that process - by providing what the body needs to heal and by identifying and removing obstacles that may be interfering with recovery.

To become a naturopathic doctor, one must first complete a four-year bachelor’s degree before attending a four-year accredited naturopathic medical school. NDs receive training in the same core biomedical and clinical sciences as MDs or DOs, and must learn both conventional and naturopathic treatments. In the final two years of their training, they must complete clinical internships under the supervision of licensed medical professionals. In order to become licensed, graduates must pass three practical clinical exams (OSCE I, II, III) and two national board exams (NPLEX I, II).