There are many community colleges and proprietary schools that offer degrees in naturopathic medicine – some of them through correspondence courses. However, you must attend a school with an accredited program to qualify to sit for the Naturopathic Physician Licensing Exams (NPLEX). This is a standardized board exam that is required by most states that license naturopathic physicians to practice.

About a dozen states permit naturopathic physicians to practice and can regulate the requirements necessary to do so. One of these regulations is that you must first be licensed. The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians lists licensing information on its website (see below).

In states without regulation policies, an N.D. degree qualifies you to be a "naturopath" and not a doctor. The extent of your treatment is limited, and you can't take out malpractice insurance or bill insurance companies.

Depending on where you want to practice naturopathic medicine, you may first have to complete a residency before you can be licensed. Like other physicians, you're encouraged to seek additional clinical experience under the supervision of a licensed doctor after you graduate – whether or not it's required. This could be in the form of a residency or a mentorship.

Students in this program do not learn to conduct major surgeries or use X-rays and radium to treat illnesses.