Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations

The Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) is a two-part professional licensing exam administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE). Clinical-level students and graduates of accredited naturopathic medical schools are required to pass before being permitted to practice naturopathic medicine in a U.S. state or Canadian province. (In cases of naturopathic physician candidates who graduated from an accredited naturopathic medical school prior to the implementation of the NPLEX; candidancy for licensure is considered on a state by state basis, providing the candidate passed a licensing exam considered equivalent to the NPLEX and administered under the auspices of a governmental licensing regulating body).

NPLEX Part I - Basic Science Examination

Assesses students understanding of core medical sciences. To sit in on this series of exams, the student must submit a letter of acceptance from the accredited school verifying they have completed the first two years of naturopathic medical education.

Part I includes 5 sections

• Anatomy
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• Pathology
• Physiology

Each section consists of fifty multiple-choice questions for which they have one hour to complete. Scores are measured in percentage. 75% or higher is need to pass.

NPLEX Part II - Clinical Science Examination

Part II is a three day examination process designed to assess whether the naturopathic medical school graduate can apply medical knowledge, skills and understanding of clinical sciences. It includes 3 main sections and 3 subsections.

Core Clinical Sections 1,2 & 3

• Botanical medicine
• Clinical nutrition
• Diagnostic imaging
• Emergency medicine
• Homeopathy
• Pharmacology
• Physical & Clinical diagnosis
• Physical medicine
• Psychology
• Laboratory diagnosis
• Medical procedures

Core Clinical Elective Sections (for certificate or license)

• Acupuncture
• Minor Surgery
• Homeopathy

Locations

Both sections of the examination are offered twice a year in seven locations in North America:

• Toronto, Ontario
• Vancouver, British Columbia
• Seattle, Washington
• Portland, Oregon
• Phoenix, Arizona
• Lombard, Illinois
• Bridgeport, Connecticut

See also

• Naturopathic medical school in North America
• Medical education in the United States
• List of accredited schools of naturopathic medicine in North America
• Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

External links

• North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners official website