In order to become a licensed naturopathic physician, one must complete undergraduate premedical course work and then attend a four year accredited naturopathic medical school.

Following graduation, there is a three day long series of national accreditation exams that must be passed before a candidate is eligible for license, to practice naturopathic medicine.

The successful completion of these exams enables the naturopathic physician to practice primary care medicine in accordance with the licenture laws of their particular state. In order to be fully licensed in a particular state a candidate must sit for, and pass, additional state exams.

Once licensed, to maintain a license, continuing education courses must be completed every year.