NPLEX (Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination)
NPLEX is the standard examination used by all licensing jurisdictions for naturopathic doctors in North America. It includes 5 basic science exams (anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry, microbiology and immunology) which are taken after the first two years of medical school. The clinical science examinations are taken following graduation after the fourth year of school. They include: clinical and physical diagnosis, laboratory diagnosis and diagnostic imaging, botanical medicine, pharmacology, nutrition, physical medicine, homeopathy, minor surgery, psychology and lifestyle counseling, and emergency medicine. Individual jurisdictions may give additional examinations in jurisprudence and acupuncture.
Contact Information for NPLEX:
Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination Board (NPLEX)
(416) 498-4255×227
(503) 250-9141
President: Paul Sanders, PhD, ND
www.nabne.org
P.O. Box 69657
Portland, OR 97201
(503) 250-9141
Executive Director: Christa Louise, MS, PhD
Licensed States
Currently, 15 states, the District of Columbia, and the US territories of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands have licensing laws for naturopathic doctors. In these states, naturopathic doctors are required to graduate from a four-year, residential naturopathic medical school and pass an extensive postdoctoral board examination (NPLEX) in order to receive a license.
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. The states that currently have licensing laws for naturopathic physicians are:
Alaska
Arizona
California
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Hawaii
Kansas
Maine
Montana
New Hampshire
Oregon
Utah
Vermont
Idaho
Minnesota
Washington
Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands
Licensed Authorities
Federation of Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Authorities
344 SW 7th St.
Suite B
Newport, OR 97365
(541) 265-6378
President: Craig Runbeck, NMD
www.fnpla.org
Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination Board (NPLEX)
(416) 498-4255×227
(503) 250-9141
President: Paul Sanders, PhD, ND
www.nabne.org
P.O. Box 69657
Portland, OR 97201
(503) 250-9141
Executive Director: Christa Louise, MS, PhD
North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE)
(360) 459-9082
President: Robin Moore, ND
www.nabne.org
8948 SW Barbur Boulevard #157
Portland, OR 97219-4047
(503) 778-7990
Executive Director: Christa Louise, MS, PhD
