The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) is the programmatic accrediting agency for naturopathic medical education programs in the United States and Canada. The CNME Board of Directors serves as the governing body of the Council. The CNME invites nominations for open seats on its Board of Directors.
Service on the CNME Board is a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the quality and integrity of naturopathic medical education. The Council is committed to maintaining a Board that is knowledgeable, independent, and reflective of the communities it serves. CNME seeks individuals who are committed to quality assurance, public accountability, transparency, and excellence in naturopathic medical education.
- Deadline
August 7, 2026 - Submit To
ExecutiveDirector@CNME.org - Required Materials
- Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume of the nominee
- Letter of interest from the nominee (see details below)
Positions Available
The following vacancies are currently open for the 2026 nomination cycle. Nominees should indicate the specific category for which they are applying in their letter of interest.
- Profession Member — 2–3 seats available
- Public Member — 3–4 seats available
- Institutional Member Representative — 1 seat(s) available
Eligibility requirements for each category are described in detail below.
Board Composition and Membership Categories
The CNME Board of Directors is composed of three categories of voting members, each with distinct qualifications and roles.
1. Profession Members
Profession members represent the naturopathic medical profession on the Board.
To be eligible, a Profession Member nominee must:
- Hold a current license to practice naturopathic medicine in a United States or Canadian jurisdiction that regulates the practice of naturopathic medicine;
- Be a member of a state, provincial, or national association of naturopathic physicians; and
- Have experience as an educator or knowledge of the evaluation of colleges and programs for accreditation.
Term of Service: Profession members are elected for three-year terms, with a limit of two consecutive full terms.
2. Institutional Member Representatives
Institutional member representatives are elected from the administrative or faculty ranks of accredited or candidate naturopathic medical education programs. There shall be three institutional member representatives on the Board.
To be eligible, an Institutional Member Representative nominee must:
- Be nominated by the chief executive or chief academic officer of a naturopathic medical education program;
- Come from the administrative or faculty ranks of an accredited or candidate program.
Term of Service: An Institutional member representative is elected for one three-year, non-renewable term.
3. Public Members
Public members represent the interests of the general public on the Board.
To be eligible, a Public Member nominee must NOT:
- Be a naturopathic physician;
- Be affiliated with a college or program of naturopathic medical education as an employee, governing board member, or consultant;
- Have family members so affiliated;
- Be a member of, or have any other role with, an association of naturopathic physicians; or
- Have any role in a state’s or province’s licensing activities for naturopathic physicians.
Term of Service: Public members are elected for three-year terms, with a limit of two consecutive full terms.
Terms of Service
Terms of elected Board members begin at the close of the annual or semiannual board meeting, and end at the close of the annual or semiannual board meeting three years later.
Board Service Expectations
Prospective nominees are encouraged to consider the following anticipated commitments prior to submitting a nomination:
- Meeting Frequency: The Board meets twice annually, with additional committee meetings and working sessions as needed.
- Committee Participation: Board members are expected to serve on at least one standing Committee. Current committees include the Executive Committee, Audit Committee, Finance Committee, Nominations Committee, Committee on Postdoctoral Naturopathic Medical Education (CPNME), Committee on Standards, Policies, and Procedures (COSPP), and the Strategic Planning Committee.
- Accreditation-Related Responsibilities: Board members may be called upon to review accreditation materials, participate in site visit teams, or engage in related evaluation activities between meetings.
- Annual Time Commitment: Board service typically requires an estimated 50+ hours per year, inclusive of meeting preparation, committee work, and accreditation review responsibilities. Time commitment will vary based on extent of roles.
Board service is uncompensated. Reasonable travel and lodging expenses for in-person meetings are reimbursed in accordance with CNME policy.
Conflicts of Interest
All Board members are expected to serve the CNME’s mission with integrity and independence. The following conflict of interest provisions apply to all Board members:
- No Board member shall vote on any matter that presents a conflict of interest for that member.
- Any director who is financially or otherwise interested in a contract or transaction before the Council shall disclose that interest to the Board and shall not vote on the Board’s approval of or participation in that contract or transaction.
- Institutional member representatives shall recuse themselves from matters in which they have a conflict of interest, including matters directly affecting the accreditation status of their nominating program.
The CNME’s conflict of interest policy applies to all members of the Board. Nominees are encouraged to review the CNME’s full conflict of interest policy prior to submitting a nomination.
Nomination Requirements and Submission Instructions
Each nomination package must include the following two items:
1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume
The nominee’s current CV or resume should include, at minimum:
- Full name, professional title, and contact information;
- Current and relevant professional positions;
- Educational background and degrees earned;
- Relevant professional experience, including any prior accreditation, governance, or higher education experience;
- Current professional licenses and jurisdictions of licensure (for Profession Member nominees); and
- Current and past association memberships (for Profession Member nominees).
2. Letter of Interest from the Nominee
A letter of interest, written and signed by the nominee, must accompany the CV. The letter should address:
- The membership category for which the nominee is applying;
- The nominee’s qualifications and eligibility for the specified membership category;
- The nominee’s understanding of and commitment to CNME’s mission;
- Relevant experience in accreditation, higher education, healthcare, or related fields;
- Any potential conflicts of interest that may require disclosure; and
- The nominee’s availability to attend Board meetings and engage in Board work between meetings.
Nominations may be submitted by the nominee directly or by another party on behalf of the nominee. Self-nominations are welcomed. All nominations should be directed to: ExecutiveDirector@cnme.org.
About the CNME
The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education is a non-profit, non-governmental organization incorporated in the District of Columbia. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, the CNME evaluates and accredits naturopathic medical education programs to advance and ensure the quality of naturopathic medical education.