Scope of Naturopathy Practice in UAE

As a result of increasing interest and use of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) therapies in medical practices and as a necessary function of its duty to protect the public interest, the UAE Ministry of Health requires all TCAM physicians and practitioners to comply with professional, ethical and practice standards, and act as responsible agents for their patients.

The following guidelines assist in educating and regulating:
(1) TCAM practitioners who may work independently and
(2) Those TCAM practitioners who co-manage patients with licensed Medical practitioners in clinics or polyclinics and hospitals

Licensing:

In exercising its licensing authority the Ministry of Health has the inherent power to determine precisely the qualifications a TCAM applicant must possess. It may investigate educational credentials, professional competence, and moral character. The applicant bears the burden to prove his fulfillment of all requirements for licensure.

The practice of medicine consists of the ethical application of a body of knowledge, principles and methods known as medical science and that these objective standards are the basis of medical licensure for physicians and TCAM practitioners. Therefore no person shall practice TCAM in the UAE without first being licensed by the Ministry of Health. Successfully passing TCAM qualifying examination is a precondition for evaluation and grant of TCAM practice license.

Following is a list of M.O.H recognized TCAM specialties:

Herbal Medicine
Traditional Islamic Medicine (Unani)
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Indian Medicine (Ayurveda and Siddha)
Homeopathic Medicine
Naturopathy
Chiropractic Medicine
Osteopathy

Eligible qualifications for TCAM Examinations:

1. Examples of Masters level Courses (Usually 2 years Post Graduation):

Member of Faculty of Homeopathy (M. F. Hom. from Faculty of Homeopathy, UK) or equivalent Doctor of Medicine in Homeopathy (MD in Homeopathy) or equivalent
Doctor of Medicine in Ayurvedic Medicine (MD in Ayurvedic Medicine) or equivalent
Doctor of Medicine in Unani Medicine (MD in Unani Medicine) or equivalent
Doctor of Medicine in Traditional Chinese Medicine (MD or Masters in TCM)

2. Examples of Bachelor level Courses (Usually 4 to 5 ½ Years College Level Education):

Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine (DC) or equivalent
Doctor of Naturopathy (ND) or equivalent
Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences (BNYS)
Bachelor in Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS)
Bachelor in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS)
Bachelor in Siddha Medicine and Surgery (BSMS)
Bachelor in Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS)
Bachelor in Osteopathy
Bachelor in Traditional Chinese Medicine

3. Examples of Diploma Level Courses (Usually 3 to 4 years College Level Education):

Diploma in Naturopathy
Diploma in Homeopathy
Diploma in Osteopathy
Diploma in Acupuncture
Diploma in Herbal Medicine

Practice Category:

The educational qualifications, depth and field of experience, and results of the TCAM examinations and recommendations from examination board would be considered for evaluating the candidates and the category for their practice.

The evaluation committee may permit the following two categories of TCAM practice privileges on the licenses:

1. Independent TCAM practice category: Usually TCAM practitioners, who have basic medical degrees or MD level qualifications in TCAM specialties or those who have extensive proven experience and/or as per recommendations of the examination board, may be awarded independent TCAM practice. These practitioners may start their own clinics or treatment centers and may employ other supporting staff like nurses, technicians and even other TCAM specialists, as per their needs and requirements.

2. Under Clinic License category: These practitioners would be permitted to work only in an established polyclinic or clinic where a licensed Medical General Practitioner is on duty. Based on the policy or decision of the management of the clinic, these TCAM practitioners may see patients directly or after referral from the resident Medical G.P.

Courtesy- http://www.moh.gov.ae/

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Brief information about Licensing Exam and its preparation

An examination for a license shall be in writing and oral and if necessary practical.

The written exam shall include testing in-
a. The basic sciences including but not limited to anatomy, physiology, bacteriology, pathology, hygiene, and chemistry as related to human body or mind.
b. The clinical sciences, nutrition, preventive and public health medicine
c. Professional ethics and any other subjects that the examining board may deem advisable

The written exam generally consists of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). Short-answer-objective type questions and questions based on diagrams/ pictures/ images depicting medical conditions may be also included in the written exam. MCQs may be structured in such a way that only one answer would be correct, in such a case there would be no negative markings. There may also be MCQs with multiple correct answers. In such a case, there would be negative marking for wrong answers chosen. Instructions for each type of MCQs would be clearly given during the examination. Indicate your answer by circling the appropriate letter on the question paper and also by filling in the appropriate circle on the computer answer sheet.

Here are a few examples:

1.Osteoarthritis, also called _________ , is the most common known joint disorder and the most common cause of joint pain.
. Rheumatic joint disease
. Psoriatic joint disease
. Inflamatory joint disease
. Degenerative joint disease

2. Which of the following diseases is not typically acquired from animals:
. Brucelosis
. Lyme disease
. Hepatitis A
. Mad Cow Disease

3. The pain of Mycardial Ischemia:
. Is typically induced by exercise and relieved by rest
. Radiates to the neck and jaw but not the teeth
. Rarely lasts few seconds
. Can be treated with Panadol

Interview

Candidates who successfully pass the written examination would be called for interview in their field of specialty. An examination board consisting of professionals from different specialties conducts the interviews. As per needs and requirements, the examination board may invite TCAM professionals from the private sector to assist in conducting the interviews. Successful candidates who have passed both written and oral/practical examinations would then be awarded the license to practice in their field of specialty. This would be held as soon as possible after Step 1 results are announced. (Usually within a week).

Usually 3 exams are conducted per year. You have only 3 chances to attend. 80-90% marks in theory necessary for attending the interview.

Naturopathy Licensing in USA

Guidelines for foreign trained Naturopaths in USA

In the United States, health care practitioners are licensed by the state they practice in; consequently, there is no one set of rules or steps toward licensure that will apply to all state licensing requirements. A requirement common to all licensing jurisdictions is that the applicant must have passed the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam (NPLEX). In order to be eligible to sit for NPLEX, an applicant must document a naturopathic medical education from (or equivalent to that of) the post-graduate degree programs of the approved North American naturopathic medical colleges.

As of May, 2000 no foreign trained practitioner has presented documentation of a naturopathic medical education from an institution outside of the US or Canada which successfully demonstrates academic and clinical courses equivalent to the standards of North American naturopathic medical schools. Therefore, the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners has not yet approved any foreign trained practitioner to sit for the NPLEX, and no state licensing board has granted a license to practice to any candidate not educated in an approved North American naturopathic medical college.

The following information is provided to assist foreign trained practitioners in beginning their research about licensure requirements. We urge you to be sure to collect and verify all your information directly from officials in the state(s) where you are interested in practicing.
Licensure is dictated by each states' statutes. Most states require the following:

1. The applicant be a graduate of an accredited naturopathic medical school.
2. The medical education should be a four-year post-graduate level program; that is, the equivalent of four, 36-week academic years.
3. The applicant must have passing scores on the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam.
4. The applicant must also have passing scores on any add-on exams particular to that state. For example, Jurisprudence, Acupuncture or Homeopathy may be required.

States that license naturopathic physicians are:
Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Washington, Utah, and Vermont in addition to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.


In unlicensed states:
• No statutes regulate or define the profession
• Practitioners cannot use the public designation doctor or physician.
• Practitioners cannot diagnose or prescribe without the risk of being charged with violating the medical practice act, or practicing medicine without a license.

International Credential Evaluation Services:
In preparing documentation to present to a college admissions committee or to a state licensing agency, it is recommended that foreign trained applicants provide professionally translated transcripts to one of these services for evaluation. Untranslated or illegible documentation will not be accepted for evaluation by the agencies below, the state licensing agencies, or any college admissions office.


Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc.
P.O.Box 6908
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 559-0578
(310) 204-2842


American Education Research Corporation
P.O.Box 996
West Covins, CA 91793-0996
(818) 339-4404
(818) 339-9081


Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc
P.O. Box 92970
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 289-3400
(414) 289-3411


Foundation for International Services, Inc.
Queen Anne Square, Ste. 503
200 West Mercer St
Seattle, WA 98119-3958
(206) 298-0171
(206) 298-0173


World Education Services, Inc
P.O.Box 745
Old Chelsea Station
New York, NY 10113-0745
(212) 966-6311
(212) 966-6395


NPLEX (Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination)

NPLEX is the standard examination used by all licensing jurisdictions for Naturopathic physicians in North America. It includes 5 basic science exams (anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry, microbiology and immunology), which are taken after the first 2 years of medical school. The clinical science examinations are taken following graduation after the 4th year of school. They include: clinical and physical diagnosis, laboratory diagnosis and diagnostic imaging, botanical medicine, pharmacology, nutrition, physical medicine, homeopathy, minor surgery, psychology and lifestyle counseling, and emergency medicine. Individual jurisdictions may give additional examinations in jurisprudence and acupuncture.


NPLEX has announced the creation of a new organization: the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE). NPLEX will retain its role as the producer of a transnational board licensing examination; the NPLEX Board has been restructured so that exam development will be its sole focus. The NABNE will take on the role of gathering input from the various constituencies involved in the profession (jurisdictions, schools, associations, etc.). In addition, the NABNE will begin two new functions. First the NABNE will be the point of application for students and candidates who want to take the NPLEX. NABNE will review credentials to make certain that applicants meet the criteria for examination. Second, the NABNE will set up testing centers in the U.S. and Canada for administration of the exams. The impetus for creating the NABNE stems primarily from the desire to maintain high standards within the profession. The first function (approving candidates to sit for the exams) will ensure that the NPLEX exams are taken only by candidates who have been appropriately trained at accredited naturopathic medical colleges. The second function (administering the NPLEX exams) will ensure that the exams are administered without bias and are kept secure. The NABNE Board will be responsive to the input of an advisory committee comprised of appointees from the jurisdictions, the schools, the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), the Federation of Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Authorities (FNPLA), and the national associations, as well as several public members. Input from the Advisory Committee will be critical for setting examining standards and for coordinating the effort. As currently proposed, applicants will apply to the NABNE to take the NPLEX Basic Science Exams. The NABNE will ensure that the applicant meets the standards set with input from the Advisory Committee and if everything is complete, will send exam booklets to the exam administration site of choice for that applicant. The NABNE will arrange all examination sites and proctors. NPLEX will score the exams, and NABNE will send score reports directly to the examinees.


Licensing Boards need no longer be involved with the approval or administration process for the Basic Science Exams. At graduation from an approved school, eligible candidates will again apply to the NABNE to be approved to take the Clinical exams; the NABNE will send exam booklets to the candidate's exam site of choice (again arranged and proctored by the NABNE). NPLEX will score the exams, NABNE will send score reports directly to the candidates, and will then send transcripts of the candidate's Basic Science and Clinical exam scores to the jurisdiction where the candidate wants to be licensed.


Please note, the NABNE is NOT a licensing board, the jurisdictions still hold all authority for investigating the credentials of and approving candidates for licensure. The NABNE is an examining board, responsible only for the examination process. This is similar to the model followed in many other health care professions including the National Board of Medical Examiners and the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners where applicants apply to a central agency for examination. We see it as a very positive step both to reduce confusion among applicants regarding where they should apply to take the NPLEX, and to reduce work by the jurisdictions in terms of time that will no longer be spent in approving the applicants to sit for, and administering the exams.

Contact Information for CNME:

Daniel Seitz, J.D., M.A.T.
Executive Director
Council on Naturopathic Medical Education
P.O. Box 178Great Barrington,
MA 01230
Tel.: 413-528-8877
Fax: 413-528-8880
staff@cnme.org


A candidate should contact individual licensing/regulatory authorities for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding their specific requirements for licensure/registration.

AlaskaDivision of Corporations, Bus. & Prof. Licensing Naturopathic Section
P.O. Box 110806
Juneau AK 99811-0806
Phone: 907-465-2695Fax: 907-465-2974
E-mail: license@commerce.state.ak.us
Website: www.commerce.state.ak.us/occ


Alberta
David Richmond, N.D.
Alberta Association of Naturopathic Physicians
P.O. Box 21142 665 - 8th Street,
S.W. Calgary AB T2P 4H5
Phone: 403-266-2446 Fax: 780-459-5621
E-mail: natpath@telusplanet.com
Website: http://www.naturopathic-alberta.com/


Arizona
Gail Anthony
NPBoMEx 1400 West Washington,
Suite 230 Phoenix AZ 85007
Phone: 602-542-8242Fax: 602-542-3093
E-mail: gail.anthony@npbomex.az.gov
Website: http://www.npbomex.az.gov/


British ColumbiaDebbie Ferreira
CNPBC 1698 W. 6th Ave.
Vancouver BC V6J 1R3
Phone: 604-688-8236Fax: 604-688-8476
E-mail: office@cnpbc.bc.ca
Website: http://www.cnpbc.bc.ca/


California
Bureau of Naturopathic Medicine
1625 North Market Blvd., Suite S-209
Sacramento CA 95834
Phone: 916-574- 7991 Fax: 916-574-8645
E-mail: naturopathic@dcs.ca.gov
Website: http://www.naturopathic.ca.gov/


Connecticut
Connecticut Department of Public Health Practitioner Licensing and Investigations Section Physician Licensure - Naturopathic
410 Capitol Avenue MS #12
APPHartford CT 06134-0308
Phone: 860-509-8377Fax: 860-509-8457
E-mail: olph.dph@ct.gov
Website: http://www.dph.state.ct.us/


District of ColumbiaDepartment of Health
Health Professional Licensing Administration
Naturopathic Registration
717 14th Street, N.W. Suite 600
Washington DC 20005
Phone: 877-672-2174Fax: 202-727-8471
Website: http://www.hpla.doh.dc.gov/


Hawaii
DCCA - PVL
Naturopathic Licensing Board
P.O. Box 3469
Honolulu HI 96801
Phone: 808-586-3000Fax: 808-586-1345
E-mail: naturopathy@dcca.gov
Website: www.hawaii.gov/dcca/pvl


IdahoIdaho State Board of Naturopathic Medical Examiners
Bureau of Occupational Licenses
1109 Main Street, Suite 220Boise
ID 83702-5642
Phone: 208-334-3233Fax: 208-334-3945
E-mail: nat@ibol.gov
Website: http://iwww.ibol.idaho.gov/


KansasKaty Lenahan, Licensing Administrator
Kansas Board of Healing Arts235 S.
Topeka BoulevardTopeka KS 66603
Phone: 785-296-8563Fax: 785-296-0852
E-mail: klenahan@ink.org
Website: http://www.ksbha.org/


Maine
Jeri BettsDept. of Prof. & Fin. Reg.,
Off. of Licensing & Reg.Board of Complementary Health Care Providers
#35 State House Station
Augusta ME 04333
Phone: 207-624-8603Fax: 207-624-8637
E-mail: jeri.l.betts@main.gov
Website: http://www.maineprofessionalreg.org/


Manitoba
Dr. Deidre Jasper, N.D.
Manitoba Naturopathic Association
P.O. Box 2339 Station MainWinnipeg,
Manitoba R3C 4A6
Phone: 204-947-0381
E-mail: info@mbnd.ca
Website: http://www.mbnd.ca/


Montana
Cheryl Brandt
Board of Alternative Health Care
P.O. Box 200513
Helena MT 59620-0513
Phone: 406-841-2394 Fax: 406-841-2305
E-mail: dlibsdahc@mt.gov
Website: http://www.althealth.mt.gov/


New Hampshire
Connie Beliveau
NH DHHS Office of Program Support
Board of Naturopathic Examiners
129 Pleasant Street, Brown Building
Concord NH 03301-3857
Phone: 603-271-0853Fax: 603-271-5590
E-mail: connie.beliveau@dhhs.state.nh.us
Website: http://www.dhhs.state.nh.us/


Ontario
Lyle Clark
BDDT - Naturopathy
112 Adelaide St.,
EastToronto ON M5C 1K9
Phone: 416-866-8383 Fax: 416-866-2175
E-mail: office@bddtn.on.ca
Website: http://www.boardofnaturopathicmedicine.on.ca/


Oregon
Anne Walsh
Oregon Board of Naturopathic Examiners
800 N.E. Oregon Street, Suite 407
Portland OR 97232
Phone: 971-673-0193Fax: 971-673-0226
E-mail: obne.info@state.or.us
Website: http://www.obne.state.or.us/


Puerto Rico
Dra. Milva Vega Garcia
Junta Examinadora Doctores in Naturopatiac/o Sonia Maysonet Cotto
Call Box 10200
San Juan PR 00908
Phone: 787-725-4904E-
Email: milvega_nd@hotmail.com or smayonet@salud.gov.pr


Saskatchewan
Wendy Present-Jahn, N.D.
Saskatchewan Assoc. of Naturopathic Physicians
82 Markwell Dr. Regina SK S4X 1K3
Phone: 306-543-4880
E-mail: natdoc@accesscomm.ca
Website: http://www.sanp.ca/


UtahDiana Baker
Div. of Occupational & Professional Licensing
160 East 300 South
P.O. Box 146741
Salt Lake City UT 84114-6741
Phone: 801-530-6179Fax: 801-530-6511
E-mail: dbaker@utah.gov
Website: http://www.dopl.utah.gov/


Vermont
Loris Rollins
VT Office of Professional Regulation
National Life Building, North, FL2
Montpelier VT 05620-3402
Phone: 802-828-2191Fax: 802-828-2465E-
Email: lrollins@sec.state.vt.us
Website: http://www.vtprofessionals.org/


Washington
Susan GraggWA DOH - Naturopathy Program
P.O. Box 47866 Olympia WA 98504-7866
Phone: 360-236-4941Fax: 360-236-2406
E-mail: susan.gragg@doh.wa.gov
Website: http://www.doh.wa.gov/


Options to consider:

1. The recommended route is to apply to one of the accredited naturopathic medical colleges as an advanced standing student, and transfer applicable academic credits from your previous education. An admissions committee will determine the specific program requirements (meaning academic courses and/or clinical preceptor-ship) needed in order to be granted the naturopathic medical degree from that institution. The details of such a program must be crafted to satisfy the criteria for the college degree, the NPLEX and the state board exam requirements. Proficiency in English medical/scientific terminology is essential. There is no other route that will guarantee your application for licensure will be favorably considered.

2. Document your education, supplying for instance very specific and complete course content descriptions, faculty credentials and academic credit hour equivalents, and submit these with a request for consideration as an applicant to the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners. That credentialing body will then evaluate your documentation and if it is determined to represent an equivalent education, allow you to sit for the NPLEX. If you pass the NPLEX, any state you apply to for licensure will also evaluate your documentation in a separate process, in order to determine eligibility for licensure in that jurisdiction. This is a lengthy and individualized process, which no foreign trained practitioner has, as of May 2000, successfully completed. North American Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) trains primary care physicians, and the course content and length of study in programs outside the US and Canada tend not to be sufficiently similar.

3. Forego licensure and simply affiliate with a licensed physician, practicing under his/her supervision.

* Source-
1. American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, Washington, DC.
2. North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners, Portland, Oregan
3. Council on Naturopathic Medical Education, Canada