Standardization in Education

Virginia Naturopathic Doctors Association was formed with the purpose of educating the general public and flushing out the distinctions between Naturopathic Doctors, supporting standardization within the profession, and continuing to progress the profession legislatively within the state. The VNDA is modeled after several Naturopathic Doctors Associations around the country.

In conclusion, the Virginia Naturopathic Doctors Association would suggest that if this bill were to be considered for passage that it.

1. Clearly define the difference between a Doctor of Naturopathy (ND), Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (NMD), Traditional Naturopath (TN), and a Doctor of Natural Medicine (DNM).

2. That more than one board of accreditation be added to the bill for schools and colleges of both Naturopathy and Naturopathic Medicine alike such as ANMAB and Congressionally Chartered Colleges.

3. That more than one national examination for competency testing of Naturopathic Doctors be added such as the National Board of Naturopathic Examiners Exam (NDLEX) and the American Naturopathic Medical Certification Board Exam(AMNMCBE)

4. That a reasonable explanation to why the bill is reaching into the realms of all “Natural Medicine” be given and absolute power over any designation of “Natural” and “Doctor” if the only candidates eligible by law and this bill to be granted all 3 designations and licenses are those who have graduated with a degree from a college of “Naturopathic Medicine” approved by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education”.

Unless these amendments be added then there is no way that this bill can be found to be in the best interest of the public and the commonwealth of Virginia and would cause a monopoly of ALL THE NATURAL HEALTH REALM to those graduates of schools approved by the CNME and only clearly license Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, which distinction is not mentioned in the bill.

Sources

Cody, G. (2018, April). The Origins of Integrative Medicine-The First True Integrators: The Philosophy of Early Practitioners. Retrieved August 16, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6396756/
Negril, C. (2013). 1 (First ed.).
United States Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit. (n.d.). WENDEL v. SPENCER: 217 F.2d 858 (1954): 7f2d8581824. Retrieved August 17, 2020, from https://www.leagle.com/decision/19541075217f2d8581824
Wendel, P. (1999). Standardized naturopathy. Chattanooga, TN: American Naturopathic Physicians and Surgeons Association.