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 Examiner, for the purpose of recommending to state boards of examiners; naturopathic physicians who were qualified for state licenses.
In 1941, in Dr. T.M. Schippell’s office, a National Board of Naturopathic Examiners was discussed and efforts were made By Dr. Schippell 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 brought to the DC circuit supreme court, affirmed the legitimacy of our national board and its qualifications to practice Naturopathy with a license.
The same charter that was used in the District of Columbia exists today; the NBNE continues to be registered with the Department of Regulatory affairs and administering exams to Naturopathic Doctors for licensure called the NDLEX (Naturopathic Doctors Licensing Exam).
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.
Registered in the District of Columbia Department of Regulatory affairs since 1951; the NBNE is the oldest testing body for Naturopathic Doctors in the nation. Our licensing exam the NDLEX (Naturopathic Doctors Licensing Exam) was designed and updated regularly to keep up with changing standards and evolutions in the field of naturopathy.