What is Naturopathy?
Naturopathy is originally a term to describe “living by nature’s laws” to promote health and well-being. The Traditional Naturopath still follows these ideals, using Naturopathy as an umbrella term to describe the use of a variety of natural healing modalities.
Naturopathy now has a variety of interpretations. In some US States naturopaths are permitted to diagnose, prescribe and perform minor surgeries. In addition, in some US States and Canadian provinces some Naturopaths are promoting themselves as “primary health care providers”.
Here at the School of Complementary Therapies we do not certify under the banner “Naturopathy” because of the controversies in the field. SCT promotes the use of natural healing including using whole-food nutrition, herbalism, energy medicine and a variety of hands-on healing modalities.
SCT recognizes Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as having a role to play in health care, but does not consider CAM practitioners to be qualified to be primary health care providers.
For further information please go to ANMA.
For information on Canadian Naturopathy see ANMA-Canada
How is Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) regulated?
In most Provinces of Canada and States in the US CAM is self-regulated. This means that there is not much in the way of official licensing; that is CAM is not regulated by government agencies. There are exceptions and students are responsible to check into their local government regulations and procedures when starting or maintaining a practice in Natural Health Care. In America we suggest you bookmark the American Naturopathic Medical Association (ANMA) to keep up to date. In Canada we do not have a central body, however the American Naturopathic Medical Association does include Canadian information and the government websites offer local licensing information. In Canada we suggest you bookmark http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/legislation/index_e.html .
Most regulating bodies are run by practitioners in the CAM field working as volunteers on a board for a not-for-profit company. Voluntary membership leads to registration by the organization. These boards are put in place to establish voluntary self-regulation. As such, in many provinces and states membership in an organization is not legally mandatory to practice. Unfortunately, a number of these organizations do imply that practice is not permitted without membership. When new regulations are passed these self-regulating bodies are very often able to have members recognized for registration and licensing. SCT encourages all practitioners, graduates and students to keep up-to-date with the latest in licensing and regulations.
What is the difference between Certification/Registration and Licensing?
Professional certification is a voluntary process through which non-governmental professional organizations recognize individuals who have met predetermined standards of education, skill or experience. Certification confirms that the individual is able to demonstrate the mastery of specific knowledge and skills within a particular field of practice—SCT certifies successful students.
LICENSING
- A permission to perform an activity.
- Generally is mandatory to perform the activity
- Involves the police power of the government.
- Presumes that working in the particular field of activity is a privilege. Establishment of licensing shifts the activity from a right to privilege. The privilege is given and may be withdrawn at any time by the issuing agency.
- Increases the power of government, and reduces the power of the individual consumer.
- The purpose is to restrict entry and strictly control the profession or activity.
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CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION
- A statement of completion or meeting a standard.
- Voluntary.
- Does not involve the police power of the state or province
- Presumes that working the field is a right.
- Certification may be withdrawn at any time by the issuing agency. However, this does not stop one from working.
- Preserves and enhances the power of the individual consumer to decide upon the practitioner of his choice.
- The purpose is mainly to inform and educate.
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For more information and details go to ANMA Licensing Vs. Certification.
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