National Board of
Naturopathic Examiners
In 1935, Dr. Benedict Lust, founder and developer of Naturopathy, proposed that the
American Naturopathic Association establish a National Board of Naturopathic Examiners, for the purpose of recommending to state boards, naturopathic physicians who were qualified for state licenses.
In 1941, Dr. T.M. Schippell, the successor to Dr. Benedict Lust, discussed the formation of the NBNE in her office with board members of the American Naturopathic Association. Efforts were made by her to bring about this national board and it was finally incorporated in 1951 and registered in Washington D.C. with the Department of Regulatory Affairs. In 1954 the case titled Wendel Vs. Spenser was brought to the DC circuit supreme court, it affirmed the legitimacy of our national board and its qualifications to practice Naturopathy with a license.
Sources: Standardized Naturopathy The Science and art of Natural Healing (1951)
1999 American Naturopathic Physicians and Surgeons Association
by Dr. Paul Wendel N.D., D.C., M.D., D.O.
The National Board of Naturopathic Examiners(NBNE) is the oldest testing body for Naturopathic Doctors in the nation, it has been registered in the District of Columbia's Department of Regulatory Affairs since 1951 . Our licensing exam, the NDLEX (Naturopathic Doctors Licensing Exam), was designed and updated regularly to keep up with changing standards and evolution in the field of Naturopathy.
