Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations

The Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations or NPLEX is a two part professional exam administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners or NABNE that clinical level students and graduates of accredited naturopathic medical schools are required to pass before being permitted to practice naturopathic medicine in a U.S state or Canadian province. (in cases of naturopathic physician candidates who graduated from an accredited naturopathic medical school prior to the implementation of the NPLEX; candidancy for licensure is considered on a state by state basis, providing the candidate passed a licensing exam considered equivalent to the NPLEX and administered under the auspices of a governmental licensing regulating body).

NPLEX Part I - Basic Science Examination

Assesses students understanding of core medical sciences. To sit in on this series of exams, the student must submit a letter of acceptance from the accredited school verifying they have completed the first two years of naturopathic medical education.

Part I includes 5 sections

• Anatomy
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• Pathology
• Physiology

Each section consists of fifty multiple-choice questions for which they have one hour to complete. Scores are measured in percentage. 75% or higher is need to pass.

NPLEX Part II - Clinical Science Examination

Part II is a three day examination process designed to assess whether the naturopathic medical school graduate can apply medical knowledge, skills and understanding of clinical sciences. It includes 3 main sections and 3 subsections.

Core Clinical Sections 1,2 & 3

• Botanical medicine
• Clinical nutrition
• Diagnostic imaging
• Emergency medicine
• Homeopathy
• Pharmacology
• Physical & Clinical diagnosis
• Physical medicine
• Psychology
• Laboratory diagnosis
• Medical procedures

Core Clinical Elective Sections (for certificate or license)

• Acupuncture
• Minor Surgery
• Homeopathy

Locations

Both sections of the examination are offered twice a year in five cities in North America:

• Toronto, Ontario
• Vancouver, British Columbia - Simon Fraser University
• Seattle, Washington - University of Washington
• Portland, Oregon - Reed College
• Phoenix, Arizona - Arizona State University at the West campus

See also

• Naturopathic Medicine
• Medical education in the United States
• List of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Schools in North America

External links

• About NPLEX
• North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners