How to Apply to Register with the College

Applicants applying for registration should carefully review the procedures outlined below and use the forms provided. Applicants should allow for sufficient time for all of their materials to be sent to the College. The College requires a complete application package and payment of the application fee to process an application for review. Review the section “Submitting your Application to the College” below for details regarding payment and timing.

Please note that you must not practise naturopathic medicine in BC, or use the restricted titles of “naturopath”, “naturopathic physician”, “naturopathic doctor”, “physician”, “doctor”, or the abbreviation “Dr.”, until you have provided the College with proof of insurance, and have obtained full (practising) registration.

Application Requirements 

Applicants must first successfully complete the College’s Jurisprudence and Oral/Practical examinations. Please note that examinations from other jurisdictions are not accepted in place of this College’s examinations. For more information, see College Examinations. Applications for registration will not be processed prior to successful completion of the required examinations.

Application Package 

  1. A completed Registration Application and payment of the application fee ($289);
  2. A completed Testament to Moral Character Form;
  3. A completed Form 3 – Statutory Declaration (Practising) (Note: Do not write “N/A” beside any statements. If all statements are true, please sign at the bottom of the form. If a statement is not true, please provide an explanation.);
  4. Valid and current government issued photo ID with signature (example: drivers licence or passport);
  5. Proof of current professional indemnity insurance;
  6. Proof of valid and current Basic Life Support (BLS) (HCP) or CPR for HCP with AED training. This training must be completed in person;
  7. If you intend to apply for any certifications with the College, you must provide proof of valid and current Naturopathic Advanced Life Support (NALS) training. This training must be completed in person;
  8. Applicants must complete a criminal record check with the BC Government’s Criminal Records Review Program. For more information about how to complete and submit the criminal record check, see How to Apply for a Criminal Record Check.
  9. Originals of the following must be sent to the College directly from the relevant institutions:
    1. Official Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) transcripts sent directly from North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE) (including Part I – Biomedical Science, Part II – Core Clinical Science, and Part II – Clinical Elective: Minor Surgery). For more information about the required examinations, see Requirements for Registration.
    2. Official transcript from an approved naturopathic medical school.
    3. Official transcript(s) showing evidence of not less than three (3) years liberal arts or sciences study.

Practising Naturopathic Physicians in Other Regulated Canadian Jurisdictions

If you are registered, and in good standing, in another regulated Canadian jurisdiction, please see Part 4 of the College’s bylaws.

Section 46(2) of the bylaws addresses applicants who are, or are eligible to be, registered in good standing with a regulatory body in another Canadian jurisdiction as, in the opinion of the College’s board, the equivalent of a full registrant.

The application requirements for someone applying for registration under Section 46(2) of the College’s bylaws are as follows:

  1. Items 1-7 listed above under How to Apply to Register with the College
  2. A completed Criminal Records Review Program criminal record check (online eCRC process) – information regarding the criminal record check can be found here;
  3. Information about your activities since you became a naturopathic physician, including:
    1. Two letters of reference provided by individuals who can attest to your character and specifically your character in relation to your practice as a naturopathic doctor. References should not include family nor employees that an ND supervises. References should be professional colleagues who are familiar with an ND’s practice and who agree that the College may contact them regarding the reference;
    2. If applicable, a Certificate of Good Standing (or equivalent letter) from any and every naturopathic physician regulatory body where you have obtained licensure; and
  4. An official NPLEX I & II & Minor Surgery examination transcript sent directly to the College from the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE).
  5. Successful completion of the College’s Jurisprudence Examination.

Student Registrant Applications

Student Registration may be applied for under Section 50(1) of the bylaws, if a person is currently enrolled in a naturopathic medicine education program recognized by the board for the purpose of registration (see Approved Naturopathic Medical Schools).

Section 50(1) of the bylaws addresses Student Registration, in which a student must be registered with the College before undertaking a period of practical training involving direct patient care, and may only provide services of naturopathic medicine while under the direct supervision of a full registrant of the College, and that supervising registrant must be present at all times.

The application requirements for someone applying for student registration under Section 50(1) of the College’s bylaws are as follows:

  1. A completed Application for Student Registration form, and payment of the application fee ($23), and a subsequent payment of the Student registration fee ($115);
  2. A completed Testament to Moral Character Form;
  3. A completed Form 3 – Statutory Declaration (Note: Do not write “N/A” beside any statements. If all statements are true, please sign at the bottom of the form. If a statement is not true, please provide an explanation). Allow additional time for your form to be notarized by a notary public or legal counsel before submitting it to CNPBC.
  4. A completed Notarized Statement of Student Applicant’s Name Date of Birth and Educational Standing;
  5. Valid and current (unexpired) government issued photo ID with signature (example: drivers licence or passport;
  6. A completed Criminal Records Review Program criminal record check from the BC Government. For more information about how to complete and submit the criminal record check, see How to Apply for a Criminal Record Check;
  7. If applicable, a Certificate of Good Standing or equivalent letter that has been dated
    within sixty (60) days from the date of the application, from the competent regulatory or licensing authority in any jurisdiction where you are or were, at any time, registered or licensed for the practice of naturopathic medicine or another health profession.

How to Apply to Reinstate Registration with the College

Pursuant to the College’s bylaws, specifically section 58, where it has been less than three (3) years since you were a full (practising) registrant, the following information is required for the application for reinstatement:

  1. Items 1-7 listed above under How to Apply to Register with the College
  2. A Criminal Record Check clearance. If it has been more than 5 years since your last clearance, visit the How to Apply for a Criminal Record Check page on the College’s website to access the online CRRP process.
  3. Information about your activities since you were a full (practising) registrant with the College, specifically:
    1. A list of all continuing education that you have taken in the past 24 months, and evidence of at least 40 hours of course completion. This information, as well as supporting documentation, may be uploaded in the Registrant’s Online Self-Service (ROSS) system.
    2. Two (2) letters of reference provided by individuals who can attest to your character and specifically your character in relation to your practice as a naturopathic doctor. References should not include family nor employees that an ND supervises. References should be professional colleagues who are familiar with an ND’s practice and who agree that the College may contact them regarding the reference.
    3. If you have practiced naturopathic medicine anywhere while you were not a full (practising) registrant of the College, provide a written summary of all your practice experience as a naturopathic doctor since that time.
    4. If applicable, a Certificate of Good Standing, or equivalent letter, from any and every naturopathic regulatory body where you have obtained licensure.

Pursuant to bylaw section 58(3), when it has been more than three (3) years since you were a full (practising) registrant, in addition to the application materials set out above, the Registration Committee may require the successful completion of examination(s), upgrading program(s), or period(s) of supervised practice. After you have submitted the requested information, the Registration Committee will review the materials to determine whether any further requirements must be met to complete your application for registration.

For additional information about changing classes and parental leave, please click here.

How to Restore a Certification with the College  

A registrant who has not maintained a certification for a specified aspect of practice must apply to restore that certification prior to resuming that aspect of practice (see: Standards & Requirements for Certifications). The Application for Restoration of a Certification form can be found on the Registrant Online Self Service system (ROSS) under the Forms & Resources area > Registration folder.

Submitting your Application to the College

Applicants are encouraged to submit all of their materials in one package. Any emailed documents should be submitted as PDFs.

Transcripts will only be accepted directly from the respective institution(s). The College will accept virtual copies so long as they are provided directly from the institution(s). Applicants can request that their institution forward electronic copies to Registration@cnpbc.bc.ca.

Upon receipt of the application, the College will contact the applicant regarding payment of the application fee. The full application package will be reviewed once all of the materials and payment have been received.

If the applicant has satisfied all of the application requirements, they will be provided with a letter confirming that they have met the preliminary requirements for registration with the College. The applicant will be provided with the practising registrant registration form which must be returned to the College along with payment of the registration fees (prorated by month), and confirmation of professional liability insurance.

Life Support & Advanced Life Support

All registrants must maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) (HCP), or CPR for HCP with AED. Registrants with certifications must hold Naturopathic Advanced Life Support (NALS), in addition to BLS (HCP) /CPR for HCP with AED. Registrants may take the following courses to satisfy the training requirements for NALS:

– “Naturopathic Advanced Life Support”, taught by Dr. Michael A. Prytula, ND
– “Naturopathic Advanced Life Support”, provided by OHM Medical Training Services Inc.
– “Naturopathic Advanced Life Support”, provided by TAMIK Training and Supplies Ltd.
– “Naturopathic Advanced Life Support”, provided by Life Safe Medical Training

Registrants must renew their NALS qualification every two (2) years. BLS (HCP) /CPR for HCP with AED must be renewed prior to expiry.

All life support courses must be completed in-person.