Training costs for naturopathy/alternative medicine:

Do you want to become a naturopath? - Then pay attention to the costs and degree!

If you are planning to train and work in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Traditional European Naturopathy (TEN), homeopathy or Ayurvedic medicine,you need to know the following:

  • Employmentas a naturopath are rare. If you want to practice in one of these naturopathic specialties, you will probably have to become self-employed.
  • To theindependent practicein most cantons you need aProfessional license.
  • For theCantonal license to practicein the vast majority of cantons you need theFederal diploma.

These training courses are no walk in the park - neither in terms of learning effort nor financially. And in addition to the already high costs for training up to the OdA AM certificate, you will also incur considerable additional costs before you start practicing your profession.

Nobody really discloses these costs. We do and list specific figures here where possible and otherwise provide relevant information.

Information on training in naturopathy - requirements, form of training, content, etc. - from entry to the federal diploma can be found in ourGuide "Training and continuing education, further training in naturopathy and complementary therapy".

Training in naturopathy up to OdA AM certificate: CHF from / min. CHF up to / max.
School costs M1-M6* approx. 35 000 approx. 60 000
Module completion M1 (external examination OdA AM) 1500 1500
Module completion M2 (external examination of professional associations) 1420 1750
Issue of OdA AM certificate 40 40
Total costs from start to certificate OdA AM: 37 960 63 290
     
Further training costs up to federal diploma in naturopathy:    
Individual mentoring rate, min. 30 (guide price OdA AM CHF 100-150/hour)**. approx. 3000 ** approx. 4500 **
Group mentoring, min. 30 (guide price OdA AM CHF 30-60/hour)**. approx. 900 ** ca. 1800 **
Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) P1, P2, P4 (OdA AM): Registration and examination fee 2850 2850
If necessary, organization of patient for P4 by OdA AM - 400
Issue of federal diploma 50 50
Entry NAREG (National Register of Healthcare Professions) 130 130
minusFederal contributionin training costs - 10 500 - 10 500
Total costs from start to federal diploma: 34 390 62 520
     
Other direct and indirect costs:    
Costs forFurnishings your own practice ? ?
Costs for travel, meals, accommodation during training, block courses, examinations and mentoring sessions ? ?
Loss of earningsduring the training period and practical training ? ?
Cantonal license to practice the profession, if applicable*** _ 500 ***
Membership of trade and/or professional associations ? ?
     
TOTAL 34 390 + ???? 63 020 + ????

* Costs for equivalence procedures see OdA AM fee schedule onwww.oda-am.ch/de/no_cache/hoehere-fachpruefung/anmeldung-abmeldung.

** In fact, the prices seem to be higher.

*** If everything runs smoothly, otherwise up to CHF 2000.

Conclusion

  • Check the conditions that apply in the canton where you want to work right from the start.
  • Make sure that you choose a school/training program that will enable you to take the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE).
  • Create a time and financial plan, weigh up the feasibility coolly and critically ...
  • ... and then, if the plans work out, full speed ahead!

 

(as of September 2025)