NDs are Primary care physicians & Specialists in

natural medicine

Naturopathic Physicians attend a 4-5 year graduate-level accredited medical school. In addition to studying all of the basic sciences that a medical doctor (MD) studies, including pharmacology and minor surgery, a Naturopathic physician receives additional training in botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulation therapy, and counseling. 

You can read more on how NDs in your state practice medicine at your local Naturopathic Physicians Association website, or at the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians website.

The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians & Licensure:

Currently, 22 states, the District of Columbia, and the United States territories of Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands have licensing or regulation laws for naturopathic doctors. In these states, naturopathic doctors are required to graduate from an accredited 4-5 year residential naturopathic medical school and pass an extensive postdoctoral board examination (NPLEX) in order to receive a license. For information about the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination Board (NPLEX) and the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE).

Licensed Naturopathic physicians must fulfill state-mandated continuing education requirements annually, and will have a specific scope of practice defined by their state's law.