Expert: Kay Larson - 11/2/2010

Question
Has Clayton college EVER been accredited? I received my naturopathic
doctor degree in the early 90's and thought it was accredited at that
time. I have not practiced as a ND in the past but am considering
opening a small clinic in my home in Idaho. Is it legal for me to do this?
I have always considered myself a naturopathic doctor but have had the
legitimacy of my degree questioned recently as I am considering
opening this clinic and don't want to get myself in legal trouble. Thanks
in advance for your time!  

Answer
Chris-Clayton College of Natural Health was never USDE accredited nor did they ever claim to be. They started seeking accreditation around 2008 and were in the process of trying to acquire it when they shut down last summer.
Your degree is legitimate as Clayton was a legally able to dispense degrees. There is a difference between legal and accredited, in Idaho anyway. Some people however, may question it's legitimacy because it didn't have a US government stamp of approval. I for one specifically chose a school that was not USDE accredited because the ones that were clearly did not have what I needed or wanted as far as education in natural health.
As a resident of Idaho you cannot call yourself an ND or a Doctor of Naturopathy as that term was hijacked by the licensed naturopathic physicians and Idaho is a licensing state for NDs. You can however, call yourself a Traditional or Classical Naturopath, but you just can't use the ND designation after your name.
Just keep on keeping on. Think of something else to call yourself other than a doctor of naturopathy. You have a legal right to teach people natural health principles. You just can't get into the curing disease thing. Hope this helps!