Council on Naturopathic Medical Education

Accrediting naturopathic doctoral programs in
the U.S. and Canada

Our Mission

Our mission is quality assurance. The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education serves the public by accrediting doctoral programs in naturopathic medicine in the U.S. and Canada that meet or exceed our educational standards.

Purpose of Accreditation

The Council’s in-depth accreditation process promotes high-quality naturopathic education and training, and safe and effective practice. Our educational standards provide the basis for licensing/regulating naturopathic doctors in the U.S. and Canada. CNME is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit doctoral programs in naturopathic medicine.

All CNME-accredited naturopathic doctor schools/programs (ND programs) are primarily campus-based and typically take four years to complete; CNME does not accredit programs that are delivered primarily or entirely online.

Naturopathic Medicine: An Overview

Blending modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine.

Naturopathic Education

ND programs educate students in a range of natural modalities as well as in biomedical and clinical sciences, and complete two years of clinical training.

Naturopathic Accreditation

Accreditation process promotes high-quality naturopathic education and training, and safe and effective practice.

CNME-Accredited Programs

Graduates of CNME-accredited programs are qualified for licensure in Canada and the U.S.

Naturopathic physicians look beyond surface symptoms to determine the underlying causes of illness.

Photo courtesy of Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic physicians look beyond surface symptoms to determine the underlying causes of illness and provide natural approaches for restoring health.