What is a Naturopathic Doctor and What Can They Do in California?
Understanding Naturopathic Doctors (NDs): What They Do, How They’re Trained, and How They’re Different from MDs and DOs
If you’ve ever searched for a more natural or holistic approach to healthcare, you may have come across someone called a naturopathic doctor, or ND (sometimes “naturopathic physician”). But what exactly is a naturopathic doctor, and how do they compare to a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO)?
In this article, we’ll explain what naturopathic doctors do, how they’re trained, and what kind of care they’re licensed to provide in California.
What is a naturopathic doctor?
A naturopathic doctor (ND) is a licensed healthcare provider trained to focus on natural medicine, lifestyle-based care, and disease prevention. NDs use therapies such as:
- Nutrition and diet counseling
- Herbal medicine
- Homeopathy
- Physical medicine
- Stress management
- Lifestyle coaching
- Some prescription medications (with extra certification)
NDs aim to support the body’s ability to heal itself, often spending more time on root causes, prevention, and personalized treatment.
How are naturopathic doctors trained?
NDs attend a four-year graduate-level naturopathic medical school, where they study many of the same biomedical sciences as MDs and DOs, such as:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Clinical diagnosis
In addition, they’re trained in natural and integrative therapies.
After completing school, they must pass a national board exam called the NPLEX to become licensed in California and other states that recognize naturopathic medicine.
Are naturopathic doctors licensed in California?
Yes. In California, naturopathic doctors are licensed by the Naturopathic Medicine Committee, a part of the Department of Consumer Affairs.
Their scope of practice includes:
- Performing physical exams
- Ordering lab tests and diagnostic imaging
- Diagnosing and treating health conditions
- Prescribing certain medications (with additional training and certification)
- Using natural therapies to support healing
However, their scope is more limited than that of an MD or DO. For example:
- NDs cannot perform surgery
- They cannot prescribe controlled substances unless they have special certification
- They cannot act as hospital-based physicians or perform emergency procedures
Caution: some people use the term “naturopath” without formal training or licensure. A licensed ND has attended an accredited naturopathic medical school and passed national board exams.
How Are NDs Different from MDs or DOs?
| Naturopathic Doctor (ND) | Medical Doctor (MD) / Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) |
|---|---|
| Focus on natural and lifestyle-based care | Focus on evidence-based medical care (including medications and surgery) |
| Trained in herbal medicine, nutrition, and homeopathy | Trained in pharmacology, surgery, and hospital-based care |
| Licensed in some U.S. states, including California | Licensed in all 50 states and internationally |
| Cannot work in hospitals or ERs | Can work across all medical settings |
| May or may not be board-certified in a specialty | Often board-certified in a medical specialty (e.g., cardiology, psychiatry) |
Should you see a naturopathic doctor?
It depends on your needs and preferences. You might consider seeing an ND if you:
- Prefer a natural or holistic approach to health
- Want to focus on prevention and long-term lifestyle changes
- Have chronic conditions not responding to conventional treatment
- Are looking to complement traditional care with integrative options
Many people choose to see both an ND and an MD/DO — blending approaches based on their specific health goals.
How to verify an ND’s credentials
If you’re considering naturopathic care, make sure the provider is a licensed ND. In California, you can look up naturopathic doctors here:
https://www.naturopathic.ca.gov
Further Resources
Guide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Guide to Laws about Healthcare
Image credit: Image by vectorjuice on Freepik
