A holistic doctor is a practitioner who says they look at the whole person, including diet, sleep, stress and environment, not only the symptom in front of them. "Holistic" describes an approach, not a license. The person using the title might be a medical doctor (MD or DO) with integrative training, a licensed naturopathic doctor (ND), a chiropractor (DC), a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.), or someone with no health license at all. To know what a holistic doctor can do, ask which license they hold.
Is a naturopathic doctor the same as a holistic doctor?
No. A naturopathic doctor is a specific credential: a four-year degree from a naturopathic school accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education, plus national board exams and a state license in states that license NDs (NCCIH). "Holistic" is a description that NDs, MDs and others may all use.
Many NDs describe their work as holistic, but not everyone who calls themselves holistic is an ND. And in states without ND licensure, someone trained in a non-accredited program can call themselves a naturopath as long as they don't claim a state license (Connecticut Office of Legislative Research, 2023). For more on the ND credential, see what a naturopathic doctor is.
Who can call themselves a holistic doctor?
States regulate professions by license, such as medicine, naturopathy (in some states), chiropractic and acupuncture. Titles are protected under those licenses. For example, many states reserve "naturopathic doctor" for licensees (Wyoming Legislative Service Office, 2025). "Holistic doctor" is not one of the protected titles in that survey of state rules, so the word itself tells you nothing about training.
In New York, "holistic doctor" is not a licensed profession: it does not appear on the state's list of licensed professions, and neither does naturopathy. New York does have a rule on the word "doctor" in health advertising. Anyone who uses it must clearly state the licensed profession next to the title. If no state license is required for what they do, they must state the field of their degree and the school that awarded it (N.Y. General Business Law 350-b).
Federal health researchers make the same point from another direction. NCCIH notes that chiropractors may offer diet and nutrition counseling, exercise therapy and stress-reduction advice, and that physicians can become board-certified in integrative medicine (NCCIH). Holistic-style care comes from many licenses.
When we reviewed New York practice websites for pricing, one Brooklyn practice described itself as a "holistic doctor" without stating any credential on the pages we read. When a site doesn't name a license, ask for it before you book.
The credentials behind "holistic doctor," compared
| Credential | Training | Prescribes drugs? | Medicare | Licensed in New York? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD or DO with integrative or functional training | Four-year medical school plus residency; must pass USMLE or COMLEX-USA. May add integrative medicine board certification. | Yes, under state law | Recognized as physicians | Yes |
| ND (naturopathic doctor) | Four-year CNME-accredited program; NPLEX board exams; residency optional in most states | Varies by state; none in states without ND licensure | Not recognized as physicians | No. New York does not license NDs. |
| DC (chiropractor) | Doctor of chiropractic degree; accredited US programs require at least 4,200 instructional hours | Not covered in our sources | Recognized only for spinal manipulation to correct a subluxation | Yes. Verify on NYSED. |
| L.Ac. (licensed acupuncturist) | Medicare's standard for acupuncture providers is a master's or doctoral degree from an ACAOM-accredited school plus a current license | Not covered in our sources | Covers acupuncture for chronic low back pain only; licensed acupuncturists can't bill Medicare directly | Yes. Verify on NYSED. |
| No license (traditional naturopath, "holistic practitioner," health coach) | Varies; non-accredited programs | No | No | Not applicable |
MDs and DOs: integrative and functional medicine
Medical doctors (MD) and osteopathic physicians (DO) are fully licensed physicians in every state. All state medical boards require a passing score on the USMLE or COMLEX-USA licensing exams and at least one year of postgraduate training for a full license (FSMB). Some add training in integrative or functional medicine, and physicians can become board-certified in integrative medicine. One route is the integrative medicine certification offered by the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABOIM). It is open to graduates of MD or DO schools who hold a full medical license, have completed a residency, and have done an approved integrative medicine fellowship (ABPS). On the functional medicine side, the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) is moving people certified as IFMCPs into its new certification program (IFM help center). If you want a holistic approach from someone who can also prescribe and bill Medicare, this is the group to look at. Browse integrative medicine doctors and functional medicine doctors.
Naturopathic doctors
NDs train at accredited naturopathic schools and pass the NPLEX board exams. About 23 states license or register them, and what they may do, including prescribing, varies widely by state (Connecticut OLR, 2023). New York does not license NDs. Compare naturopathic doctors near you, and see which states license naturopathic doctors.
Chiropractors
Chiropractic programs accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education must include at least 4,200 instructional hours (National Board of Chiropractic Examiners). In New York, a chiropractor needs 90 semester hours of college study, including at least 24 in life and physical sciences, a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from a CCE-accredited program, and a state license (NYSED). Medicare treats chiropractors as physicians only for manual manipulation of the spine (42 U.S.C. 1395x). Some also offer diet and nutrition counseling, exercise therapy and stress-reduction advice. See chiropractors in New York.
Licensed acupuncturists
Acupuncturists who meet Medicare's standard hold a master's or doctoral degree in acupuncture or Oriental medicine from an ACAOM-accredited school and a current, unrestricted license. Medicare covers acupuncture only for chronic low back pain, up to 20 sessions in 12 months, and licensed acupuncturists can't be paid by Medicare directly (Medicare.gov). In New York, acupuncturists must complete a state-registered or ACAHM-accredited professional program, or an equivalent program of at least 4,050 hours of instruction, clinical work and study, and then hold a state license (NYSED). See acupuncture clinics in New York.
Is a holistic doctor a real doctor?
It depends entirely on the license. An MD or DO who practices holistically is a physician. An ND holds a doctoral degree but is not a medical doctor, and the title rules differ by state; see whether a naturopathic doctor is a real doctor. A chiropractor or acupuncturist holds their own professional license. Someone with no license is not a doctor in any regulated sense, whatever their title.
Cost and coverage follow the license too. Fees paid to a chiropractor, an osteopath and for acupuncture can count as medical expenses for HSA and FSA purposes (IRS Publication 502). See using an HSA or FSA for holistic care.
How to check a holistic doctor's credentials
- Ask directly: "What license do you hold, and in which state?"
- Look the license up on the state's verification site. In New York, use NYSED license verification, which covers acupuncture, chiropractic, physical therapy and massage therapy, among other professions. There is no New York ND license to look up.
- If they're an ND in a licensing state, check that state's naturopathic board. Our guide on how to find and vet a naturopathic doctor walks through it.
- Ask what they will and won't treat, whether they'll work with your primary care doctor, and what tests and supplements they usually recommend, with prices.
A license doesn't guarantee safe, effective treatment from any provider, conventional or complementary, but it tells you what training and oversight stand behind the person.
When to see a medical doctor
- Emergencies, and any new, severe or fast-worsening symptoms.
- Any condition that needs prescription treatment, surgery or specialist care.
- Before stopping or changing a prescribed medication.
If you see both a primary care physician and a holistic practitioner, tell each of them about every treatment and supplement the other recommends.
Find a holistic practitioner by credential
- Integrative medicine doctors
- Functional medicine doctors
- Naturopathic doctors (NDs) in our directory
- Chiropractors in New York
- Acupuncture clinics in New York
Last reviewed: October 2026