QANM members are trained Naturopaths and examined across core competency domains: biomedical sciences and functional approaches, diet and lifestyle medicine, pharmacological interactions with natural substances, evidence-informed therapeutics, gentle therapies, and person-centred case management.
board examination
Naturopathic medicine’s founding principle vis medicatrix naturae, “the healing power of nature” traces back to Hippocrates, the Greek physician (c. 460–370 BCE) regarded as the father of Western medicine, who held that rest, diet, fresh air, and cleanliness support the body’s own capacity to heal.¹
The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) is the recognized accrediting body for naturopathic medical education in North America. CNME accredits four-year,post-graduate, degree-granting programs
Toronto, ON & New Westminster, BC · ccnm.edu
Kenmore, WA & San Diego, CA · bastyr.edu
Portland, OR · nunm.edu
Tempe, AZ · sonoran.edu
Gurabo, Puerto Rico · uagm.edu
Naturopathic education combines four years of biomedical and clinical science with training across natural therapeutic disciplines:
Diet and nutrient-balance protocols as part of the core curriculum.
Pharmacology and application of plant-based remedies.
Theory, philosophy, and homeopathic case-taking.
Manual therapy training as part of the clinical practicum.
Behavioural and lifestyle counselling, supportive strategies.
Physical exams, laboratory, and functional testing.
In 2023, CANRA has embarked on establishing a new National Entry-to-Practice Competency Profile which includes 22 key competencies and 62 enabling competencies in five domains: professionalism, communication, assessment and diagnosis, therapeutic management, and records management. As of April 2019, Ontario was the first province to begin a pilot-project adopting their own entry-to-practice examinations and Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition (PLAR) to include qualified professionals who successfully meet and pass the criteria for entry into the profession.This entry-to-practice examination has replaced NPLEX in Ontario.
No CNME-accredited program currently exists in Quebec. QANM supports the development of a French-language naturopathic medical program and to assist in setting the standard for educational and entry-to-practice standards.
