<P> Naturopaths represent a diverse group of practitioners . In general, they can be categorized into three groups: 1) those with a government issued license; 2) those who practice outside of an official status ("traditional naturopaths"); 3) those who are primarily another kind of health professional who also practices naturopathy . </P> <P> In Switzerland, these divisions fall between those with a federal diploma, those recognized by health insurances, and those with neither federal diploma nor recognition by health insurances . Naturopaths with federal diploma can be divided into four categories: European traditional medicine, Chinese traditional medicine, ayurvedic medicine and homeopathy . The number of listed naturopaths (including traditional healers) in Switzerland rose from 223 in 1970 to 1835 in 2000 . </P> <P> Licensed naturopaths may be referred to as "naturopathic doctors" or "naturopathic physicians" in 17 US states and 5 Canadian provinces . Licensed naturopaths present themselves as primary care providers . Licensed naturopaths do not receive comparable training to medical doctors in terms of the quality of education or quantity of hours . In British Columbia, licensed naturopaths are permitted to refer to themselves as simply "doctor" or "physician". </P> <P> Licensed naturopaths must pass the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE) after graduating from a program accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME). Training in CNME - accredited programs includes basic medical diagnostics and procedures such as rudimentary physical exams and common blood tests, in addition to pseudoscientific modalities, such as homeopathy, acupuncture, and energy modalities . These accredited programs have been criticized for misrepresenting their medical rigor and teaching subjects that are antithetical to the best understandings of science and medicine . The CNME as an accrediting authority has been characterized as unreliable and suffering from conflicts of interest . The naturopathic licensing exam has been called a mystery by those outside the naturopathic profession and criticized for testing on homeopathic remedies, including for the use to treat pediatric emergencies . </P>

Is a doctor of natural medicine a real doctor