Licensing guide · Ontario

How to Become a Naturopathic Doctor in Ontario

Last checked 8 sources checkedNOC 31209

Do you need a licence?

Licence required

You must be registered with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario to work as a naturopathic doctor in Ontario or to use a protected title.

Protected titles
Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“To practise naturopathy in Ontario you must be registered with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (the College).”

From collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/apply-for-registration, checked October 10, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Licence required See the source
Routes
Annual fees

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

  • Listed one-time fees: $300
  • 1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
  • 4 steps without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $2,170 (Applicants registered from March 2 to June 30 pay 100% of fees), $1,627.50 (Applicants registered from July 1 to September 30 pay 75% of fees), $1,085 (Applicants registered from October 1 to December 31 pay 50% of fees), $542.50 (Applicants registered from January 1 to March 1 pay 25% of fees)

  1. You sign up for a College account and complete the online Application for Pre-Registration form, which confirms your identity and identifies you as a CNME-accredited program graduate.

    Source
    “Sign up for a College account through the LOGIN page and complete the online Application for Pre-Registration form.”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/apply-for-registration

  2. You must successfully complete the College's Ontario Clinical Sciences Examination to be eligible for registration.

    Source
    “All applicants seeking to be registered with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (the College), except NDs currently registered and practising in another regulated Canadian jurisdiction, must first complete the College’s Ontario Clinical Sciences Examination.”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/entry-to-practice-exam/ontari...

  3. You must complete the Ontario Clinical (Practical) Examinations as one of the entry-to-practise exams required for registration.

    Source
    “Once deemed substantially equivalent, PLAR applicants will be required to complete the following entry-to-practise exams to be eligible for registration with the College: - Ontario Clinical (Practical) Examinations: $400 + HST”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/apply-for-registration/applic...

  4. You must complete the Jurisprudence Course/Examination no more than two years before applying to the College.

    Source
    “To register as a naturopath in Ontario, you must complete the Jurisprudence Course/Examination no more than two years before applying to the College.”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/entry-to-practice-exam/jurisp...

  5. You complete the online Application for Registration form and pay the application fee, and the College reviews whether you are eligible for registration.

    Source
    “Complete the online Application for Registration form. Step 2 also requires paying an application fee, submission of a criminal record check and proof of valid CPR certification.”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/apply-for-registration

  6. After your application is fully evaluated, you pay the annual registration fee, submit proof of Professional Liability Insurance and a photo, and are issued a certificate of registration.

    Source
    “This step requires payment of the annual registration fee, submission of proof of Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) and the submission of a photo with the online Photo Submission Form for the public register.”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/apply-for-registration

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $300

One-time fees listed for Trained in Canada, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Application $275 92%
Exams $25 8%
One-time total $300 100%

1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total.

4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

  • Listed one-time fees: $275
  • 4 steps without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $2,170 (Applicants registered from March 2 to June 30 pay 100% of fees), $1,627.50 (Applicants registered from July 1 to September 30 pay 75% of fees), $1,085 (Applicants registered from October 1 to December 31 pay 50% of fees), $542.50 (Applicants registered from January 1 to March 1 pay 25% of fees)

  1. You complete the online Application for Pre-Registration form indicating that you are registered with another naturopathic regulatory authority in Canada and intend to transfer to Ontario.

    Source
    “you have completed the College’s Pre-Registration Form indicating that you are registered with another naturopathic regulatory authority in Canada and intend to transfer to Ontario”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/entry-to-practice-exam/jurisp...

  2. You apply to the College in Ontario under the labour mobility provisions of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.

    Source
    “To move between provinces where naturopaths are regulated, you must first apply to the new jurisdiction.”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/members/membership-registration/moving-b...

  3. Ontario may require additional training in areas such as jurisprudence, so you complete the Jurisprudence Course/Examination.

    Source
    “However, provinces and territories are permitted to evaluate an application for things like good character, and to require additional training in areas such as jurisprudence.”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/members/membership-registration/moving-b...

  4. You complete the online Application for Registration form, pay the application fee, and provide a letter of good standing and evidence of professional practise from your current jurisdiction.

    Source
    “If registered and practising naturopathy in another regulated Canadian jurisdiction, a letter of good standing and evidence of professional practise is also required.”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/apply-for-registration

  5. After your application is evaluated, you pay the annual registration fee, submit proof of Professional Liability Insurance and a photo, and are issued a certificate of registration.

    Source
    “This final step is completed after your Application for Registration has been fully evaluated by the College and a decision has been made regarding issuance of a certificate of registration.”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/apply-for-registration

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $275

One-time fees listed for Licensed in another province, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Application $275 100%
One-time total $275 100%

4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • Listed one-time fees: $3,450
  • 1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
  • 6 steps without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $2,170 (Applicants registered from March 2 to June 30 pay 100% of fees), $1,627.50 (Applicants registered from July 1 to September 30 pay 75% of fees), $1,085 (Applicants registered from October 1 to December 31 pay 50% of fees), $542.50 (Applicants registered from January 1 to March 1 pay 25% of fees)
  • Listed time: 1 month (only 1 of 12 steps state a time)

  1. You sign up for a College account and complete the online Application for Pre-Registration form before initiating the PLAR program.

    Source
    “This form is submitted before sitting ETP exams, and before initiating the PLAR program.”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/apply-for-registration

  2. You complete the online Application for Pre-Registration and submit a copy of valid, government-issued photo identification.

    Source
    “Completion of the online Application for Pre-Registration and submission of a copy of valid, government-issued photo identification, as detailed in the PLAR Applicant Handbook.”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/plar-international-non-accred...

  3. Because you completed your education outside Canada, you have your degree assessed by a credential evaluation agency that is a member of ACES, and the results are sent directly to the College.

    Source
    “If you completed your education outside of Canada, an assessment of your degree(s) by a credential evaluation agency that is a member of the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (ACES) is required.”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/plar-international-non-accred...
    • IQAS reassessment: $200 (refunded only if the reassessment results in a change from the original assessment decision)
      Source
      “All requests for reassessment cost $200. The reassessment fee will be automatically refunded only if the reassessment results in a change from the original assessment decision.”
      alberta.ca/iqas-reassessment-process
    Time: 30 days
    Time source
    “IQAS will send an email explaining the decision on your request for reassessment within 30 business days of the date the reassessment request was received.”
    alberta.ca/iqas-reassessment-process
    Source
    “If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your assessment, you may submit a request for reassessment.”
    alberta.ca/iqas-reassessment-process

  5. You undergo the PLAR paper-based review of your education and experience.

    Source
    “PLAR Paper-based review: $300 + HST”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/apply-for-registration/applic...

  6. You write PLAR Written Exam #1, the biomedical examination.

    Source
    “Initial PLAR Written Exam #1 (BME) Fee: $700 + HST”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/apply-for-registration/applic...

  7. You write PLAR Written Exam #2, the clinical sciences examination.

    Source
    “Initial PLAR Written Exam #2 (CSE) Fee: $850 + HST”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/apply-for-registration/applic...

  8. You complete the demonstration-based assessment interview and the simulated patient case review and interactions.

    Source
    “PLAR Demonstration-based Assessment Interview Fee: $600 + HST”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/apply-for-registration/applic...

  9. Once deemed substantially equivalent, you complete the Ontario Clinical (Practical) Examinations to be eligible for registration.

    Source
    “Once deemed substantially equivalent, PLAR applicants will be required to complete the following entry-to-practise exams to be eligible for registration with the College: - Ontario Clinical (Practical) Examinations: $400 + HST”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/apply-for-registration/applic...

  10. You complete the Ontario Jurisprudence Examination as one of the entry-to-practise exams required after PLAR.

    Source
    “Ontario Jurisprudence Examination: $125 + HST”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/apply-for-registration/applic...

  11. You complete the online Application for Registration form and pay the application fee.

    Source
    “Complete the online Application for Registration form. Step 2 also requires paying an application fee, submission of a criminal record check and proof of valid CPR certification.”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/apply-for-registration

  12. After your application is fully evaluated, you pay the annual registration fee, submit proof of Professional Liability Insurance and a photo, and are issued a certificate of registration.

    Source
    “This step requires payment of the annual registration fee, submission of proof of Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) and the submission of a photo with the online Photo Submission Form for the public register.”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/apply-for-registration

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $3,450

One-time fees listed for Trained outside Canada, by type
Fee typeAmountShare
Assessment $1,500 43%
Exams $1,950 57%
One-time total $3,450 100%

1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total.

6 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Official page for this route

Other listed fees

The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

  • Applicants must have completed a 4-year program in naturopathy accredited by the CNME or have a combination of education and experience assessed and deemed substantially equivalent to a CNME-accredited education.

    Source
    “To practice naturopathy in Ontario, Applicants must have completed a 4-year program in naturopathy accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) or have a combination of education and experience that has been assessed and deemed substantially equivalent to a CNME-accredited education.”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/apply-for-registration

  • To be eligible for PLAR, you must have a minimum of an undergraduate degree in a healthcare-related discipline reasonably related to naturopathy from a Canadian University or its equivalent from an accredited academic institution.

    Source
    “To be eligible for PLAR, you must have a minimum of an undergraduate degree in a healthcare-related discipline reasonably related to naturopathy from a Canadian University or its equivalent from an accredited academic institution.”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/plar-international-non-accred...

Good character

  • Provinces and territories are permitted to evaluate an application for things like good character.

    Source
    “However, provinces and territories are permitted to evaluate an application for things like good character, and to require additional training in areas such as jurisprudence.”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/members/membership-registration/moving-b...

Other

  • Step 2 requires proof of valid CPR certification.

    Source
    “Step 2 also requires paying an application fee, submission of a criminal record check and proof of valid CPR certification.”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/apply-for-registration

  • Applicants registered and practising in another regulated Canadian jurisdiction must provide a letter of good standing and evidence of professional practise.

    Source
    “If registered and practising naturopathy in another regulated Canadian jurisdiction, a letter of good standing and evidence of professional practise is also required.”
    collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/apply-for-registration

Already licensed in another province?

Direct transfer

Because no exceptions were registered for the naturopathic profession under the CFTA, naturopaths already registered in another Canadian jurisdiction can be recognized in Ontario without significant additional training, work experience, examination or assessment, though Ontario may require jurisprudence training and evaluate good character.

Source
“The CFTA requires that certified workers must be recognized to work in another province or territory that regulates that profession without going through significant additional training, work experience, examination or assessment, unless an “exception” has been filed.”
collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/members/membership-registration/moving-b...

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Naturopaths of Ontario

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Naturopaths of Ontario

Exams

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Naturopaths of Ontario

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Naturopaths of Ontario

Supervised practice

Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Naturopaths of Ontario

Demand and pay

Job Bank figures for NOC 31209, Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating. Wages for 2021 in Canadian dollars a year; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Ontario and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
Ontario $37,561 $62,000 $122,000 Good (4 of 5)
Canada $32,867 $56,800 $123,000 —

Wages by region and job outlook in Ontario

Wages in every province and territory

Naturopathic doctors in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 6 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

Compare naturopathic doctor licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 10, 2026.

  1. Apply for Registration - College of Naturopaths Of Ontario collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/apply-for-registration · fetched October 10, 2026
  2. Ontario Clinical Sciences Examination - College of Naturopaths Of Ontario collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/entry-to-practice-exam/ontari... · fetched October 10, 2026
  3. Applicant Fees - College of Naturopaths Of Ontario collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/apply-for-registration/applic... · fetched October 10, 2026
  4. Jurisprudence Course/Exam - College of Naturopaths Of Ontario collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/entry-to-practice-exam/jurisp... · fetched October 10, 2026
  5. Step 2 - College of Naturopaths Of Ontario collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/apply-for-registration/step-2 · fetched October 10, 2026
  6. Moving Between Regulated Provinces - College of Naturopaths Of Ontario collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/members/membership-registration/moving-b... · fetched October 10, 2026
  7. Initiating PLAR - College of Naturopaths Of Ontario collegeofnaturopaths.on.ca/applicants/plar-international-non-accred... · fetched October 10, 2026
  8. IQAS reassessment process | Alberta.ca alberta.ca/iqas-reassessment-process · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a naturopathic doctor in Ontario?

Yes. Registration with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario is required to practise in Ontario.

Which exams are required?

Ontario Clinical Sciences Examination, Ontario Clinical (Practical) Examinations, Jurisprudence Course/Examination, PLAR Written Exam #1 (BME), PLAR Written Exam #2 (CSE), PLAR Demonstration-based Assessment.

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