Association Canadienne de Naturologie
Professional Association Incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act
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Naturologist™ Credential – Emerging Professional Standard
The Naturologist™ designation is a high-level, inclusive credential in natural-based health and wellness care. Built on a doctoral-standard education framework, it recognizes advanced, multidisciplinary practitioners with training across multiple natural-based specialties, grounded in evidence-informed science, ethical practice, and the integration of Indigenous, ancestral, and traditional knowledge systems.
This is not naturopathic medicine, and the CNA-ACN is not an association of Naturopathic Doctors. Our credential does not train or license naturopathic doctors and must not be confused with the regulated profession of naturopathic medicine. The Naturologist™ profession is distinct from all regulated and non-regulated health professions. While members may hold other qualifications, our credential is a voluntary professional recognition and not a statutory license.
Naturologists are recognized for their leadership in prevention, wellness, and patient-centred care, equipped to design and coordinate holistic care plans that bridge diverse natural health modalities. This emerging professional standard unites top-tier practitioners under a single, inclusive framework distinct from single-discipline associations.
Recognition by the CNA-ACN does not replace or override any legal or regulatory requirements in provinces or territories where specific professions are governed by law. Naturologist™ is a trademark of the Canadian Naturological Association / Association Canadienne de Naturologie, used under license.
“Naturological: A distinct, multidisciplinary dimension of natural health care.”
What Makes CNA-ACN Different from a Regulatory College?
| CNA-ACN Membership | Provincial Health Regulator |
|---|---|
| Voluntary recognition in a national non-profit community | Legally required to practice certain health professions |
| Trademarked professional title Naturologist™ | Protected legal titles (e.g., MD, RMT) |
| Guided by internal ethics, safety, and education standards | Bound by laws that define scope of practice |
| Can suspend membership and the right to use our trademarked titles | Can grant, suspend, or revoke a legal license to practice |
Recognizes natural-based health specialties that follow naturological principles, applicable laws, ethical standards, and evidence-informed science. Our association is committed to supporting qualified practitioners from underrepresented fields — including those with Indigenous, ancestral, and other traditional knowledge systems — who align with our values of integrity, safety, and public service.
Our association may also recognize other natural-based core specialties as part of our voluntary professional framework, and periodically reviews all recognized specialties to ensure they continue to meet our criteria for safety, ethical integrity, and clinical efficacy. Recognition by the CNA-ACN does not replace or supersede any regulatory requirements in provinces or territories where specific professions are governed by law.
Alexander Technique
Animal Osteopathy
Animal Massage Therapy
Applied Kinesiology
Aquatherapy
Aromatherapy
Art Therapy
Assistance Relation
Auriculotherapy
Ayurveda Medicine
Bach Flower Therapy
Balneotherapy & Thalassotherapy
Bioenergy
Biofeedback
Body-Mind Therapy
Botanical Medicine
Bowen Technique
Certified Fitness Trainer (CPT)
Chromotherapy
Colon Hygiene
Craniosacral Therapy
Creative Non-directive Approach (Relational Therapy)
Cupping Therapy
Digitopuncture or Manupuncture
ECHO Healing
Écoute Ton Corps Approach
Energetic Medicine
Energy Therapy
Fasciatherapy
Feldenkrais Method
Gemmotherapy
Hellerwork
Herbalism
Holistic Nutrition
Homeopathy
Hypnotherapy (Hypnosis)
Integrative Eye Movement Therapy (EMDR)
Iridology
Jin Shin Do
Kinesiotherapy
Kinotherapy
Laser Therapy
Libération des Cuirasses Method
Life Coaching
Lithotherapy
Lymphatic Drainage
Lympho-bioenergy
Méthode Alexander
Music Therapy
Musicotherapy
Myotherapy
Nasosympathico-therapy
Naturotherapy
NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)
Oligotherapiy and Vitaminotherapy
Our association may also recognize other natural-based sub-specialties or modalities as part of our voluntary professional standards, while periodically reviewing those currently approved to ensure they continue to meet our criteria for safety and clinical efficacy.
Only complete applications will be processed.
To join the CNA-ACN, potential registrants must provide supporting evidence of educational standing and meet requirements appropriate to their membership level and practice specialty(s). New registrants may also be required to pass an association-administered certifying exam or interview to demonstrate core or sub-specialty proficiency. Applications may be approved at a lower membership level until other requirements are satisfied, at the sole discretion of the Association.
Multidisciplinary (Natural-Based) – Examples: a Chiropractor and Naturopath, Massage Therapist and Osteopath (DO), or Nurse and TCM Doctor are acceptable. A Bachelor of Fine Arts and Osteopath (DO) combination would not be sufficient unless accompanied by another approved specialty or sub-specialty.
Important: CNA-ACN membership and credentials are voluntary association-issued recognitions and do not confer statutory or government-regulated authority. All members must comply with any licensing or regulatory requirements applicable to their practice in their jurisdiction and must follow all applicable laws.
Submit supporting documents during the application process or email within 15 days.
