North Carolina

Updated February 2012

North Carolina does not currently regulate naturopathic physicians, but there is an effort under way to change that.  The North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians (NCANP) is spearheading this effort. The NCANP is working with the state legislature, NC Medical Board, NC Medical Society, and other interested parties to make licensure a reality. We got farther in 2011 than we ever have before – winning the approval of two committees in the state Senate before the legislative session ended.  We will pick up where we left off this year when the legislature begins its new session.  To learn more, or to help out, go to ncanp.com.

Until we have a licensing law, the naturopathic profession is unregulated. There are many people, with widely divergent training and experience, practicing as “homeopaths,” “naturopaths,” “naturopathic doctors,” and “NDs” in our state. It is wise for consumers to research the educational backgrounds of their health care practitioners.  Find a qualified practitioner through the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians at naturopathic.org or the National Center for Homeopathy at homeopathic.org.

The doctors at Asheville Natural Health & Homeopathy are all graduates of accredited, four-year naturopathic medical colleges. They have taken national board exams, and meet continuing education standards required by the states in which they are licensed. Dr. Coward is licensed by the state of Vermont, Dr. Bahnson is licensed by the state of Washington, and Dr. Hughes is licensed by the state of Oregon.