If you have searched for a naturopathic doctor in Bend, Oregon, you have probably noticed the term gets used loosely, sometimes for a licensed primary care physician, sometimes for someone with a weekend certificate. Knowing exactly what a naturopathic doctor is, and is not, makes choosing a provider a lot less confusing.
Quick Answer: A naturopathic doctor (ND) is a licensed primary care provider who completes a four-year, graduate-level naturopathic medical program covering the same foundational biomedical sciences as conventional medical school, plus additional training in clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, and natural therapeutics. In Oregon, licensed NDs are regulated by the Oregon Board of Naturopathic Medicine, can diagnose and treat disease, order lab work and imaging, and prescribe medication, including many controlled substances, giving Oregon NDs one of the broadest scopes of practice of any state in the country. NDs focus on identifying and addressing the root cause of a health concern rather than only managing symptoms, and they work alongside, not instead of, other conventional providers when needed.
The Training Behind the Title
A naturopathic doctor completes a four-year, graduate-level program at an accredited naturopathic medical school, following at least three years of undergraduate premedical coursework. The first two years closely mirror conventional medical school: anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, and pharmacology. The following two years shift toward naturopathic diagnostic and treatment methods, clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, physical medicine, and supervised clinical training with real patients. After graduating, NDs in states that license the profession, including Oregon, must pass the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) before they can practice.
What Oregon Specifically Allows NDs to Do
Oregon’s naturopathic scope of practice is among the most encompassing in the country. Licensed Oregon NDs can order and interpret laboratory tests and imaging, diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions, and prescribe from nearly the entire AHFS drug formulary, including many controlled substances, unless a specific drug class is excluded by administrative rule. This came from legislation passed in Oregon giving naturopathic physicians full primary care prescribing authority, a meaningfully broader scope than naturopathic doctors have in most other states. Oregon NDs who register with the DEA can also prescribe medications like buprenorphine for opioid use disorder treatment.
By the Numbers
- Naturopathic medical school is a 4-year, graduate-level program, following at least 3 years of undergraduate premedical study.
- Oregon is one of only 4 states (alongside Idaho, New Mexico, and Vermont) that require NDs to pass an additional NPLEX exam beyond the standard licensing exam.
- Licensed Oregon NDs can prescribe from nearly the entire AHFS drug formulary, one of the broadest prescriptive scopes for NDs of any US state.
- Naturopathic medicine is licensed in 25 states and territories plus 5 Canadian provinces, though scope of practice varies considerably by jurisdiction.
The Six Founding Principles of Naturopathic Medicine
- First, do no harm: use the most natural, least invasive, and least toxic therapies appropriate to the situation
- The healing power of nature: trust the body’s inherent ability to heal, and support that process
- Identify and treat the root cause: look beyond symptoms to what is actually driving them
- Doctor as teacher: educate patients so they can take an active role in their own health
- Treat the whole person: account for how genetics, lifestyle, environment, and relationships all affect health
- Prevention: focus on preventing disease before it develops, not only treating it after
Pros and Cons of Naturopathic Primary Care
Potential Advantages
- Longer appointment times (often 60-90 minutes) allow for a deeper look at your full health picture
- A licensed Oregon ND can serve as your actual primary care provider, not just a supplement consultant
- Broad training spans both conventional diagnostics and natural therapeutics
- Strong emphasis on prevention and addressing root causes, not just symptom management
Things to Know Going In
- Many naturopathic practices, including specialty lab testing, operate on a self-pay basis
- Not every state licenses NDs the way Oregon does, so scope of practice varies if you move or travel
- The unregulated term “naturopath” is not the same as a licensed ND; always verify credentials
- For serious acute or emergency conditions, conventional emergency care remains the right first call
Myth vs. Fact
Myth: “A naturopathic doctor can’t prescribe real medication.”
Fact: In Oregon specifically, licensed NDs can prescribe from nearly the entire standard drug formulary, including many controlled substances, giving them one of the broadest prescriptive scopes of any state in the country.
Myth: “Naturopathic doctor and naturopath mean the same thing.”
Fact: A licensed naturopathic doctor has completed an accredited four-year doctoral program and passed board exams. “Naturopath” is an unregulated term that can describe someone with far less formal training, which is exactly why verifying licensure matters.
Myth: “Seeing a naturopathic doctor means giving up conventional medicine.”
Fact: NDs are trained to work alongside conventional providers, and part of their training explicitly emphasizes referring out and collaborating when a condition calls for conventional treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a naturopathic doctor the same as an MD?
No, though both are licensed primary care providers in states like Oregon. NDs and MDs complete different training paths: MDs focus on conventional medical residency training, while NDs complete a four-year naturopathic medical program emphasizing natural therapeutics alongside biomedical science.
Can a naturopathic doctor be my primary care provider in Oregon?
Yes. Oregon specifically recognizes licensed NDs as primary care providers, with authority to diagnose, treat, order labs and imaging, and prescribe medication.
What is the difference between an ND and a naturopath?
An ND (naturopathic doctor) has completed an accredited four-year doctoral program and passed licensing exams. “Naturopath” is not a protected title in most places and can refer to someone with much less formal training.
Do naturopathic doctors believe in vaccines and modern medicine?
Naturopathic training includes conventional biomedical science, and individual NDs vary in their specific clinical approaches, just as conventional providers do. The naturopathic principle of “first, do no harm” guides providers toward the most appropriate, least invasive effective option for a given situation, which can include conventional treatment when warranted.
How do I verify a naturopathic doctor is actually licensed in Oregon?
You can confirm current licensure directly through the Oregon Board of Naturopathic Medicine’s public license lookup, a good first step before starting care with any provider.
Meet Dr. Drew Collins, ND at Proactive Choice in Bend
Dr. Drew Collins is a board-certified naturopathic doctor providing primary and integrative care in Bend, Oregon:
- About Dr. Drew Collins: His background, training, and approach to care
- Functional Medicine Bend, Oregon: A root-cause approach to chronic health concerns
- Naturopathic Doctors in Bend, Oregon: A broader look at local options
Proactive Choice is located in Bend, Oregon and serves patients throughout Central Oregon including Redmond, Sisters, La Pine, and Sunriver. Call +1 (858) 333-5196 or schedule a consultation online.
