Why Should You Register

EBNMP Canada™ believes that the resurgence of interest in Natural Medicine should and will encounter close scrutiny from individuals in and outside of the profession of Natural Medicine. Some Natural Medicine Practitioners are still unregulated and this has led to a number of untrained individuals in the field of Natural Medicine. The public, for the most part, has no way of differentiating between trained or untrained Natural Medicine Practitioners. EBNMP Canada™ is seeking to create a greater awareness of professionalism, ethics, research and educational standards, to protect the public and to satisfy the growing need for an ever increasing, well-rounded health care system. EBNMP Canada™ believes that if we do not set standards for ourselves, OTHERS will set standards for us that are not in accordance with our philosophy and training as Natural Medicine Practitioners.

EBNMP Canada™'s qualified registrants must meet a specific standard of education to assure the public that they have met the educational, ethical and upgrading standards of a registering body to which they are accountable. EBNMP Canada™ does not represent any one particular Natural Health Profession; it is comprised of a multidisciplinary group whose members are Naturopaths, Homeopaths, Acupuncturists, Osteopaths, Dentists, Holistic Medical Doctors, Chiropractors, Nutritional Medicine Practitioners, Eastern Medicine Doctors and Lifestyle Management Practitioners.

Individuals interested in becoming registered must pass qualifying examinations prior to registration and must agree to abide by the Code of Professional Ethics as set out by EBNMP Canada™.

Administration of Regulation

EBNMP Canada™ is a Self-Regulatory body for Natural Medicine Practitioners^© who are identified by protected and trademarked titles.

The actual regulation of a profession is carried out through administrative structures and laws that establish the regulatory framework for the profession.

How regulation is achieved reflects the legislature’s delegation of its regulatory authority to another body to carry out the regulation. In Canada, the 3 main institutional frameworks identified in regulatory administration are: direct government control; partial self-regulation; and self-regulation.

Direct Government Control: Under direct control, the province is responsible for all aspects of regulation and administration including setting requirements for entry to practice, professional standards, and investigation of complaints, and discipline; with or without the assistance of an advisory board. In Ontario, the majority of health care professions are licensed and regulated under the Health Professions Regulatory Act.
Partial Self-Regulation: Some Provinces utilize some form of partial self-regulation. The profession is self-governing in the sense of governing its membership under an Act of Parliament.
Self-Regulation or Self-Administration: The Practice of Natural Medicine is not yet regulated in Canada therefore most groups are self-governing; wherein the governing body, whether a Council, Board, or College, is responsible for all decisions both administrative and professional-specific. This includes clinical, ethical, investigative and disciplinary. A majority of the members who serve on the Board of Governors are Members in Good Standing of the profession and who may either be appointed or elected from the membership. In a broader sense, “self-regulation” means that a member’s professional conduct is judged by a jury of their peers, regardless of the bureaucratic form of administration. The hallmark of self-regulation is peer review in clinical review and disciplinary proceedings.

EBNMP Canada™ Objectives

To standardize the practice of Natural Medicine in Canada.
To develop and maintain standards of education and practice for Natural Medicine Practitioners^© (Naturotherapists).
To promote Natural Medicine as a viable option for individuals in Canada, through affiliations with like-minded organizations.
To adhere to and maintain a Code of Professional Ethics and Conduct for the protection and rights of patients.
To maintain a registry of members who meet the standards for practice of Natural Medicine, as determined by the EBNMP Canada™ or Government Regulations, as appropriate.
To educate the public by circulating a newsletter, hosting an Annual Natural Medicine Symposium and encouraging research to further the development of Natural Medicine in Canada.
To foster co-operation between Natural Medicine Practitioners and other Health Care Practitioners.
To work towards the establishment and maintenance of a regulated College of Natural Medicine.

Identity of Titles

The profession of natural medicine is not new to Canada however the classification by which it is defined is still in a process of change. EBNMP Canada™ represents professionals of varying skills which all fall under the classification of Natural Medicine Practitioner^©.

Definition of Titles

As a service to our vast membership, EBNMP Canada™ has classified 5 protected titles and service descriptions under which our members are identified.

Protection of Titles

Protection of Titles is the first step towards regulation. The titles issued by EBNMP Canada™ are the property of the parent company, WBNM, and are only to be used by EBNMP Canada™ members in Good Standing.