“As much as our curriculum taxes students with overabundant left-brain courses, NPLEX drives the nail into the coffin . . . The fact that these exams are comprised of multiple-choice questions should be enough to indicate the absurdity of using such an examination system to ensure that our doctors are prepared for practice. Perhaps they are prepared to practice like medical doctors, whose method of treatment revolves around formula-based treatments for specific diseases. Have not the students demonstrated their capacity to memorize for exams by having procured university degrees? All students demonstrate by passing the NPLEX exams is their capacity to memorize information. This doesn’t indicate that they are ready for practice.”
--Daniel Block, ND, The Revolution of Naturopathic Medicine 2003
While the above-mentioned pseudo-medical naturopathic exams (NPLEX) are often thought to be the only certifying tests for naturopathic doctors, it has only existed since the 1980s and is used exclusively by those who study naturopathic medicine and not traditional Naturopathy. The National Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NBNE) is the oldest testing body for Naturopathic Doctors in the nation. It has been registered in the District of Columbia's Department of Regulatory Affairs since 1951 . This licensing exam, the NDLEX (Naturopathic Doctors Licensing Exam), was designed with original naturopathic principles in mind and is updated regularly to keep up with changing standards and evolution in the field of Naturopathy.
