Working with a Naturopathic Doctor in Palm Beach

If you're looking for a more holistic, root-cause approach to health care in Palm Beach County, you may have come across the term naturopathic doctor (ND). But what exactly does that mean? And how can you be sure you're working with a medically trained provider?

Here’s what you need to know about naturopathic medicine, the education behind it, and how it’s practiced in Florida.

What Is a Naturopathic Doctor?

A naturopathic doctor (ND) is a trained medical professional who blends modern science with natural therapies. NDs attend a four-year, accredited naturopathic medical school and are educated in the same biomedical sciences as conventional medical doctors—subjects like anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical diagnosis.

In addition, NDs receive extensive training in clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, lifestyle counseling, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, and physical medicine. Upon completion of their education, NDs must pass rigorous board exams known as the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) to become eligible for licensure in states that regulate the profession.

Be Aware: Not All “Naturopaths” Are Created Equal

It’s important to understand that “naturopath” is not the same as “naturopathic doctor.” The term naturopath is not regulated in many states, including Florida, and can be used by individuals with no formal medical education or clinical training.

Unlike licensed naturopathic doctors, these individuals are not required to attend a medical school, do not have clinical rotations, and are not required to pass the NPLEX board exams. In some cases, their training may consist of weekend workshops or correspondence courses.

Before working with any provider who claims to practice naturopathic medicine, ask about their education, licensing, and scope of practice. Look for someone who has graduated from a CNME-accredited (Council on Naturopathic Medical Education) institution and has passed the NPLEX exams.

The Pillars of Naturopathic Medicine

Many people ask what makes Naturopathic medicine different than functional medicine? Functional medicine is used within the treatment of Naturopathic medicine however it is not the same. Naturopathic medicine works to support the body’s innate ability to heal, this means much more to Naturopathic doctors than natural supplements based on lab testing alone. Naturopathic medicine is rooted in a distinct set of principles that guide patient care:

1. First, Do No Harm – Use the least force necessary to support healing.

2. The Healing Power of Nature – Support the body’s innate ability to heal.

3. Identify and Treat the Root Cause – Go beyond symptom management.

4. Doctor as Teacher – Educate and empower patients in their health journey.

5. Treat the Whole Person – Address physical, emotional, and environmental influences.

6. Prevention – Prioritize health promotion and disease prevention.

The Therapeutic Order

NDs follow a model called the Therapeutic Order, which emphasizes using the most natural, least invasive therapies first—starting with foundational lifestyle factors like nutrition, sleep, and movement. Only when necessary do NDs escalate to more intensive therapies, such as pharmaceuticals or minor surgical interventions (in licensed states).

This approach honors the body’s intelligence while ensuring treatments are both effective and respectful of the patient’s unique needs. High force interventions, synthetic symptom relief, and natural symptom control typically comprise functional medicine. Naturopathic doctors believe it is essential to start at the foundation, the bottom of the therapeutic order called the “Foundations for Health” first, and then employ the remaining levels as needed over time. This is the true way to create real, long term healing.

When working with a Naturopathic doctor in an unlicensed state in Florida, without a secondary license ND’s stay within the “Foundations for Health” level. Working with clients on lifestyle changes and habit formation. However, some providers are not so limited, read more below.

Naturopathic Licensure: The Situation in Florida

Licensure for naturopathic doctors varies widely across the U.S. As of now, Florida does not license naturopathic doctors, although active advocacy efforts are underway through the Florida Naturopathic Physician Association to establish regulation and create a legal scope of practice for NDs in the state.

This imagine shows the current United States regulatory map of naturopathic doctors. The AANMC is the primary website to explore for interest in becoming an ND. The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians is the national professional association representing licensed naturopathic doctors, naturopathic medicine students, and other healthcare professionals allied with the naturopathic profession.

In Florida, licensed NDs from other states may offer their services as naturopathic consultants. While they are unable to diagnose or treat medical conditions unless licensed under another credential, many of them hold additional licenses such as:

• Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN)

• Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc)

• Massage Therapist (LMT)

• Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)

These credentials allow NDs to provide services within those legal scopes—such as functional nutrition, herbal support, acupuncture, cupping, and mind-body practices.

Because there’s no current licensure in Florida, patients should be particularly diligent when choosing a provider. Look for NDs who are:

✅ Graduates of accredited naturopathic medical schools
✅ NPLEX board-certified
✅ Holding a current license in a regulated state
✅ Transparent about their credentials and scope of practice

Final Thoughts

In a wellness-forward community like Palm Beach County, working with a naturopathic doctor can offer a refreshing, personalized approach to health care—whether you’re navigating chronic illness, looking to optimize energy, or wanting a more natural path to healing.

While Florida’s licensure efforts are still in progress, many highly trained NDs are already making a difference here by practicing within secondary licensed disciplines. Just be sure you know the difference between a licensed naturopathic doctor and an unlicensed naturopath, so you can make informed decisions for your health.

Dr. Amanda Scott currently serves Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, Wellington, Palm Beach Gardens, and Jupiter.

Curious about how a naturopathic doctor might support you in Florida? At Covet Health and Wellness, we combine evidence-based natural therapies with clinical expertise to help you feel your best naturally.

Questions about Naturopathic Medicine? Let us know below!