Frequently Asked Questions

Naturopathic Medical Doctor, Naturopathic Physician, or NMD, is the protected term in Idaho to describe anyone who has graduated from a CNME accredited naturopathic medical program as well as passed the NPLEX licensing exams.
- The additional titles that denote licensing in Idaho include Naturopathic Physician and Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.
- The term ND and naturopathic doctor are used by other states, but this title is unregulated in Idaho.
Naturopathic Medical Doctors (NMDs) diagnose, prevent, and treat acute and chronic illness to restore and establish optimal health by supporting the person's inherent self-healing process. Rather than just suppressing symptoms, naturopathic doctors work to identify underlying causes of illness, and develop personalized treatment plans to address them.

In order to apply for an NMD license in Idaho, you will need to provide proof of passing the NPLEX core licensing exams as well as the elective pharmacology and minor surgery exams. This is not grandfathered in, so those who have passed the NPLEX prior to the availability of the above elective exams will need to take those exams. You will need to submit the other certificates of completion of the NMD program, transcripts, and fingerprints in your application. You can go here to complete the online application.

NMDs are governed in Idaho by the Allied Health Advisory Board. You can find much of our scope, rules, and statutes there.

Idaho’s NMD Scope of Practice is generously broad. We practice as primary care physicians in Idaho and are able to prescribe medications, diagnose, and order labs and imaging as such.
NMDs are also allowed to do aesthetic treatments that they have been adequately trained and educated in, consistent with provisions of the law. We cannot practice obstetrics.
Prescriptive abilities are broad as well. We have full formulary scope except for controlled substances. However, testosterone is still within our ability to prescribe despite being a controlled substance. We are also able to administer nutritional IV and IM therapies.
For the full law please see the state statute linked here
Here is a link for guidelines regarding injectable medications DOPL has released in the past.

Yes - see the Idaho statutes title 54: 54-5713 Virtual care, licensure, exemptions, and jurisdiction consent here.

The current law does not include requirements for malpractice insurance, but it is highly encouraged that NMDs carry malpractice insurance.

What is the IDAANP?

The Idaho Chapter of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (IDAANP) is the professional naturopathic medical organization in Idaho.

What is the AANP?

The AANP is the national organization for licensed naturopathic physicians who are graduates from 4-year doctoral programs from federally (or USDE) accredited schools and who have passed a national licensing examination.
They are the professional association representing licensed naturopathic physicians, naturopathic medicine students, and other healthcare professionals allied with the naturopathic profession.

Once an NMD is licensed, we highly recommend becoming a member of the Idaho Chapter of the AANP (IDAANP). Idaho has a long and complex legislative history of naturopathic medicine dating back to 1989. Historically, the IDAANP was instrumental in securing licensure in Idaho. Since licensure in 2019, the IDAANP has also been fundamental to protecting our licensure and scope of practice and furthering the education and cause of Naturopathic Medical Doctors state wide. We continue to keep a lobbyist on retainer who is closely in communication with both us and representatives of the AANP. We also provide a continually updated list of free and discounted CME opportunities as well as organizing many community building activities. We provide marketing for your practice on the Find an NMD public directory on the website as well. Please consider joining the IDAANP for community, mentorship, and legislative representation. We also answer questions and are available to you for any resources you may need. You can apply here. We work hard on creating community and would love to have you!

What is an ND, naturopathic doctor, or a naturopath in the state of Idaho?

Currently, there is no protection for using the terms ND, naturopathic doctor, or a naturopath in the state of Idaho due to push back from existing providers who had been using the term in the unlicensed state for many years prior to creation of the NMD law.
Any lay person / unlicensed provider who has attended a non CNME accredited course or no course at all can add “naturopath” or “naturopathic doctor” to their credentials without the ability of the Idaho Board of Medicine to stop them.
In Idaho, the letters or designations of ND, “naturopathic doctor”, or “naturopath” behind a name does not mean the provider has any specific medical training.
This differs greatly from all surrounding licensed states such as WA, OR, UT, and MT where unlike Idaho, the term ND may only be used by those who attended an accredited, naturopathic medical school and passed licensing exams.

What is an LND in the state of Idaho?

Currently, there is also a naturopathic healthcare board. This is not for those who have graduated from an CNME accredited program, but for other licensed provider types who have attended non-CNME courses and wish to add "licensed naturopathic doctor” or “registered naturopath" to their credentials.
LND behind a name means the provider holds an existing doctoral license and has been licensed for this additional title.
See this helpful document produced by IDOPL.