Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are licensed in Montana by the Montana Alternative Health Care Board as primary care physicians who have received special training in natural medicine. To be licensed, an ND must have a doctorate in naturopathic medicine from a licensed and accredited four-year naturopathic medical school, and must pass exams on the basic sciences, disease diagnosis, therapeutic methods, and clinical practice.

Naturopathic medical schools have entrance requirements similar to those of any medical school, including an undergraduate degree and advanced coursework in the premedical sciences.  The curriculum consists of:

• Conventional medical training
• Study in disciplines such as homeopathy, nutritional and environmental medicine, psychology, hydrotherapy, physical manipulation, and traditional Chinese or Ayurvedic (Indian) medicine
• Training in the use and interaction potential of conventional drug therapies, supplements, and herbs

Students attend lectures, read extensively, and complete clinical work in patient assessment, differential diagnosis, medical records documentation, medical referral, and patient followup.