A naturopathic doctor (ND) and a family doctor (MD) are both regulated health professionals in British Columbia, but they train differently, are licensed by different colleges, and have different scopes of practice. NDs can assess, order many lab tests and, with the right authorization, prescribe some medications; specialist referrals and imaging such as MRI or CT generally go through your family physician. Many people use both.
This guide explains, in plain terms, how the two roles differ in BC as of October 2026, what a first naturopathic visit looks like at Skin Art MD in Burnaby (Metrotown), and how to keep your family physician in the loop.
What is a naturopathic doctor?
A naturopathic doctor is a health professional trained in naturopathic medicine and registered with a provincial regulator. In BC, "naturopathic doctor" and "naturopathic physician" are titles reserved for people registered with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC).
Naturopathic visits usually focus on a detailed health history, lifestyle and nutrition, and lab results where they are relevant. An ND is not a medical doctor (MD), and naturopathic care is not a replacement for your family physician. The two professions have separate training, separate licences and separate rules about what each may do.
How are naturopathic doctors trained and licensed?
NDs complete undergraduate science prerequisites and then a four-year, full-time naturopathic medicine program at an accredited school, followed by standardized licensing examinations. Family physicians complete medical school and then a family medicine residency.
In more detail:
- Undergraduate study first. Accredited ND programs require university-level prerequisites (typically sciences such as biology and chemistry) before admission.
- A four-year accredited program. In Canada, accredited programs include the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in New Westminster and the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Ontario. Coursework covers basic and clinical sciences, physical and laboratory diagnosis, pharmacology, nutrition and supervised clinical training.
- Licensing exams. Graduates write the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) and then apply to the provincial regulator for registration.
- Ongoing requirements. Registrants must meet the College's continuing-education, insurance and practice standards to stay registered.
Family physicians, by comparison, complete an undergraduate degree, a medical degree (usually four years) and a two-year family medicine residency, and are licensed by the provincial regulator for physicians. Both pathways are demanding; they are simply designed for different roles.
Who regulates naturopathic doctors in BC?
Naturopathic doctors in BC are regulated by the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (cchpbc.ca), which took over from the former College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC in 2024.
The College sets entry requirements, practice standards, and the limits and conditions on restricted activities. It also handles public complaints. Before you book with any ND, you can check their registration and any practice conditions on the College's public registry at cchpbc.ca.
At Skin Art MD, naturopathic care is provided by Dr. Ekaterina Krantsevich Riehl, BSc, ND, a naturopathic physician registered in BC who earned her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine at the Boucher Institute.
What can a naturopathic doctor do in BC?
According to the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC, an ND's scope includes health assessment, ordering laboratory tests, and certain restricted activities, such as prescribing, that are subject to the College's standards, limits and conditions (as of October 2026).
In everyday terms, this usually means an ND can:
- Take a full health history and assess your concerns, including medications, supplements, sleep, diet and stress.
- Order many common lab tests, such as a complete blood count or ferritin, through a community lab. In BC, labs ordered by an ND are generally not paid for by MSP, so there is usually an out-of-pocket lab fee; some extended health plans may reimburse part of it.
- Prescribe certain medications, if the ND meets the College's prescribing standards and only within the limits and conditions the College sets.
- Perform some procedures, such as injections, where the ND meets the College's training standards for that activity.
- Discuss nutrition and lifestyle, and help you organize questions to bring to your other health providers.
Individual NDs choose which services they offer, so scope in law is not the same as what every clinic provides. Ask the clinic directly what a particular ND does.
What can't a naturopathic doctor do?
Some parts of the health system are set up to run through physicians and nurse practitioners. As of October 2026, an ND in BC generally cannot refer you directly to a medical specialist and cannot order MSP-funded advanced imaging such as MRI or CT.
A few other practical points:
- Specialist referrals: a referral to a dermatologist, endocrinologist or other specialist generally needs to come from your family physician, a nurse practitioner or a walk-in clinic physician.
- Hospital-based care and emergencies: NDs do not provide emergency care. Hospital admission and most hospital-based testing are arranged through physicians.
- MSP billing: ND visits are not part of basic MSP coverage. MSP may cover a limited number of visits for people receiving premium assistance — check the current rules with Health Insurance BC on gov.bc.ca.
- Extended health: many workplace plans include a naturopathic benefit, but limits and receipt requirements vary. Check your plan before your visit.
If you are not sure whether something belongs with your ND or your family physician, ask. A careful ND will tell you when a concern is better handled elsewhere.
Naturopathic doctor vs family doctor: a side-by-side view
The table below summarizes the general differences in BC as of October 2026. Details can change, so the CCHPBC and gov.bc.ca remain the reference sources.
| Naturopathic doctor (ND) | Family doctor (MD) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training | Undergraduate prerequisites + 4-year accredited ND program + NPLEX exams | Undergraduate degree + medical school + family medicine residency |
| Regulator | College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC | Provincial physician regulator |
| Lab tests | Can order many common tests; usually paid privately | Can order lab tests; usually covered by MSP when medically required |
| Prescribing | Some medications, within College limits and conditions | Full prescribing within medical practice |
| Specialist referral | Generally not directly | Yes |
| MRI / CT | Generally not | Yes |
| Visit cost | Private fee; may be claimable under extended health | Covered by MSP for eligible residents |
| Typical visit | Length varies; first visits are often history-focused | Length varies; ongoing, comprehensive primary care |
What does a first naturopathic visit look like at Skin Art MD?
At Skin Art MD in Burnaby, the first step is an initial naturopathic consultation of up to 60 minutes. It is a conversation about your health history, current medications, your goals, and whether bloodwork would be useful before any next step.
Here is how the process usually runs:
- Initial consultation (up to 60 minutes). You and Dr. Krantsevich Riehl go over your history, medications and goals. If recent lab results exist (for example from your family physician), bring them or have them on hand.
- Bloodwork if needed. If labs would help with the decision, the ND explains which tests, why, and roughly what to expect for lab fees before anything is ordered.
- Treatment visits, booked separately. If a service is appropriate for you, it is booked as its own appointment after the consultation. You can learn more about the options on our naturopathic medicine page.
- Follow-ups. Follow-up visits are scheduled based on your plan and results, not a fixed package.
Consultations are conducted in English; our front desk can help in Mandarin and Cantonese with booking and paperwork. Individual results vary, and not every service is suitable for every person.
When should you see your family doctor or urgent care instead?
Some situations need a physician or emergency care first. Call 911 or go to an emergency department for chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of stroke, severe bleeding or a severe allergic reaction.
See your family physician, a walk-in clinic or an Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) for:
- New, worsening or unexplained symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss, ongoing fever, blood in stool or a new lump
- Anything that may need a specialist referral, MRI, CT or hospital-based testing
- Changes to prescription medications your physician manages
- Pregnancy care and children's acute illnesses
If you are not sure where to go, you can call HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1 to speak with a nurse any time of day; information is also on healthlinkbc.ca.
How can a naturopathic doctor and a family doctor work together?
The two roles can fit together. With your written consent, an ND can share lab results and visit notes with your family physician, and you can bring your physician's recent results to your ND so tests are not repeated unnecessarily.
A few habits make this smoother:
- Keep one up-to-date medication and supplement list and share it with everyone involved in your care.
- Tell each provider about the other. This matters most for prescriptions, supplements and any procedures.
- Ask for copies of your results. Lab results are yours, and having them on hand helps every provider.
- Use each for what they do. Specialist referrals and imaging go through your family physician; longer conversations about lifestyle, nutrition and lab-guided planning can happen with an ND.
Frequently asked questions
Is a naturopathic doctor a real doctor?
In BC, NDs are regulated health professionals who may use the title "doctor" in connection with naturopathic medicine. An ND is not a medical doctor (MD), and the two are licensed by different colleges.
Can a naturopath order blood tests in BC?
Yes. NDs can order many common lab tests through community labs. These tests are generally not paid for by MSP, so expect a lab fee; some extended health plans may reimburse part of it.
Can a naturopathic doctor refer me to a specialist?
Generally not directly. Specialist referrals in BC usually come from a family physician, nurse practitioner or walk-in clinic physician.
Do I need a referral to see a naturopathic doctor?
No referral is needed. You can book directly, and it is a good idea to let your family physician know.
Is a naturopath covered by MSP?
ND visits are not part of basic MSP coverage. MSP may cover a limited number of visits for eligible premium-assistance recipients; check with Health Insurance BC. Many extended health plans include a naturopathic benefit; Skin Art MD does not bill insurers directly, so you submit the official receipt to your insurer yourself.
How do I check an ND's registration?
Search the public registry on the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC website (cchpbc.ca).
Booking
If you would like to talk through your health history and goals with a registered naturopathic doctor in Burnaby, you can book an initial naturopathic consultation (up to 60 minutes) on our naturopathic booking page. Skin Art MD is at Metrotown and serves families across Greater Vancouver. Please keep your family physician involved in your care.
