Practice Terminology

Can I call myself "doctor"? Do I always need to specify "naturopathic doctor"?

You can refer to yourself as "Doctor" or "Dr." in written materials, as long as somewhere in the document you specify "Naturopathic Doctor" or "ND." For clarity and ease, the CNDA encourages use of the following designation: Dr. John Smith, ND. From the Naturopathic Practice Act: "A naturopathic doctor who uses the term or designation "Dr." shall further identify himself or herself as "Naturopathic Doctor," "Licensed Naturopathic Doctor," "Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine," or "Doctor of Naturopathy" and shall not use any term or designation that would tend to indicate the practice of medicine, other than naturopathic medicine, unless otherwise licensed as a physician and surgeon, osteopathic doctor, or doctor of chiropractic." Graduates from an accredited naturopathic school who passed the NPLEX exams may not use any designation of "ND" until they are licensed through the Naturopathic Medicine Committee. NDs may not use the term "physician" at this time.

Can I call my office a "medical clinic"?

Legally, any healthcare corporation run by at least 50% naturopathic doctors must designate itself as a naturopathic corporation in all legal paperwork (filing status documents, business license, taxes, etc). If a naturopathic doctor owns 49% or less of a clinic, the clinic does not need to be designated a naturopathic corporation in legal documentation. Section 3674 of the CA Business and Professions Code reads: "The name of a naturopathic corporation and any name or names under which it may render professional services, shall contain the words "naturopathic" or "naturopathic doctor" and, as appropriate, wording or abbreviations denoting its status as a corporation." More information can be found here in the California Business & Professions Code.

However, your clinic's "doing business as" (DBA) title is more flexible and can be referred to as a "medical clinic."