WE ARE;
The only professional association representing Naturopathic and Naprapathic practitioners of all levels in the UK.
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The only professional association for Naprapaths in the UK.
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The only professional association that requires Naturopathic Doctors and Doctors of Naprapathy to have completed a degree-level course over a minimum of 4 years before they can be admitted to registration and licensure. Following a similar syllabus as an allopathic doctor.
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The only professional association that requires members to practice patient-centred, integrated, scientifically proven natural therapies.
Professional Standards
In this section, we will define the professional standard broadly so that you have an idea of the required level of training required for registration with the SNND as a Naturopathic Doctor.
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For ease, we use the same classification system to map e.g. academic level and credit points as all UK-regulated qualifications. This makes it easier for us and you to work out things like recognition of prior learning and equivalency.
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Our register has 5 levels. Each level is equivalent to an academic/clinical level. We have subdivided these levels further to reflect the amount of academic study and practical/clinical training attained.
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EXAMPLE:
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A member who attains level 1 status on our register has been judged to have completed a minimum of 1200 hours of education at foundation degree level (HNC/HND). Of these 1200 hours, at least 250 hours, will have been practical training and or clinical practice, supervised and unsupervised.
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This level can, as mentioned above, be subdivided into level 1a and 1b. Level 1a is equal to completion of 400 hours. Of which approximately 84 will be practical/clinical. 1b is equal to 800 hours. Of which approximately 168 will be practical/clinical.
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This flexibility means that we can accept members who have less academic and practical training, yet still meet minimum professional standards to be competent to practice safely within their defined scope e.g. a massage therapist. This flexibility allows members to undertake further training and qualifications and upgrade their registration and licensure as they progress.
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Levels 2, 3 and 4 are similar in structure, with the only difference being academic and practical/clinical training equivalency e.g. level 2 is equal to the standards of a first degree BA/BSc (Hons). Level 3 is equal to the standards of a Master's MA/MSc, and Level 4 is equal to the standards of a Taught Professional Doctorate.
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We regard level 5 as postgraduate advanced, equivalent to a specialist, consultant or even PhD degree.
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At each level, the SNND require completion of core subjects in subjects such as; Professional Studies. Law. Ethics. Consent. Statutory Clinical Waste. Health and Safety. Public Health. Health Education and Promotion. Biomedical Sciences. Pathology. Pharmacology. Diagnostics. Medical Imaging. Blood Testing. Research Methods and Statistics. Professional and Clinical Communication.
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A similar system is used for Doctors of Naprapathy. DN's complete their training in slightly less time, and will pass the same core examinations as an ND at levels 1, 2 & 3.
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The National Examinations at levels 1, 2 & 3 are designed ONLY to assess knowledge, understanding and application of professional skills, biomedical sciences, diagnostic skills, and other relevant integrated medical skills that are required to be a safe and accountable advanced practitioner. They test minimal therapy applications. This is due to Naturopathy being an eclectic profession. These will depend on the provider, and mainly be taught and assessed by the college they attend at the local level, rather than by the SNND.
Licensure
Once registration is granted, it is granted for life. It is a requirement that if you actively practice in any of the fields we cover, you must also be licensed.
Licensure adds an additional layer for practitioners and the public. Every year, a registrant will be asked to reconfirm their eligibility to be licensed by signing a renewal contract stating that they have undertaken the additional requirements. This is a self-certification process. This means they sign to confirm they have undertaken the necessary steps to stay eligible to be licensed. E.G.
1, Hold valid first aid with CPR.
2, Hold appropriate professional indemnity insurance (minimum of £3 million).
3, Have a designated responsible person whom they can go to for assistance, help, support, advice, and to certify their CPD and revalidate it every 5 years. 4, Undertake and record appropriately via their appointed person CPD activities. (Minimum 2 x 30-minute meetings each year. In person or remotely.
5, Sign the renewal each year, which is a contract of professional ethics and discipline, and gives the SNND jurisdiction over disciplinary matters.
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All registered and licensed practitioners are bound by the SNND code of professional ethics and discipline. The SNND has the power to hold them accountable or they can be disciplined, sanctioned or removed from the register. Only licensed practitioners can use SNND-issued honours, titles, designations and logos, unless an honorary life title has been awarded (these can also be revoked). This demonstrates to the public and other professionals that the individual registrant is working and being overseen to high-quality standards, and can be held accountable.
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If you wish to be registered but not licensed: The quick answer is yes. Many do, because they aren't in active practice. They may be researchers, writers, consultants, etc. They are not technically practising, and therefore don't need to be licensed. Some practitioners also hold licensure with other organisations internationally, therefore do not require to be licensed here in the UK with us. If you practice something else which isn't covered by the SNND say for example Clinical Psychology, you may need to be licensed elsewhere. It is a condition that if there is such a need, you are legally obliged to do so. Otherwise, you risk your registration with us on ethical grounds, and we will still hold you accountable if registered by us. There are two contracts. A registration and a licensure contract. Each one has terms and conditions, which are affected by each other.