Licensure for naprapaths in Sweden was introduced by a parliamentary decision in 1994, and since 2006, "naprapath" has been a protected professional title. This means that naprapaths are subject to the Health and Medical Services Act, are under the supervision of the National Board of Health and Welfare, and that only those who hold a license, a special authorization, or are undergoing prescribed practical training may call themselves naprapaths.
Provisions regarding licensure, exclusive rights to a profession, protected professional titles, and protected specialist designations for naprapaths have been included in the Patient Safety Act (2010:659) since January 1, 2011.
According to Chapter 3, Section 7 of the Patient Safety Ordinance (2010:1369), licensure as a naprapath requires the completion of a naprapathic education program of at least four years, followed by one year of practical service.
Licensed naprapaths are also covered by a Nordic agreement (SÖ 1994:2) on a common Nordic labor market for certain healthcare personnel. The agreement means that individuals with a license in the healthcare sector automatically have their credentials recognized, allowing them to practice their profession in other Nordic countries where the profession is regulated.
Second-cycle studies shall essentially build on the knowledge students acquire in first-cycle studies, or equivalent knowledge. Second-cycle studies shall involve a deepening of knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to first-cycle studies and shall, in addition to the requirements for first-cycle studies:
According to Chapter 3, Section 7 of the Patient Safety Ordinance (2010:1369), practical service must be completed over a period corresponding to at least one year of full-time service after completing the naprapath education. The service must be completed in Sweden and under supervision.
Through the internship, the naprapath shall gain a comprehensive insight into the organization and working methods of the Swedish healthcare system, create conditions for collaboration with various staff categories, acquire knowledge of the treatment principles and methods of collaborative partners, and be provided with opportunities for practical training in their own profession.
The internship must consist of one year of supervised full-time service within healthcare and be distributed as follows:
The practical service may be completed at several clinics or units. After the service is completed, the supervisor must confirm on the National Board of Health and Welfare's specific forms that the naprapath has completed the practical period and describe its content and scope.
Practical service with a licensed naprapath means that the naprapath is supervised in their work by a licensed naprapath. It must cover the areas included in the naprapath's professional field.
Practical service within public healthcare means that the naprapath participates in healthcare under the supervision of a specifically designated supervisor. Suitable areas of operation include primary care, orthopedics, neurology, rheumatology, and medical rehabilitation. The service period can be divided equally between primary care and hospital-based care. It is also desirable for the naprapath to gain insight into psychiatric care and the operations of radiology, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy departments.
During the service, the naprapath shall gain practical experience and in-depth knowledge of:
For more information and forms, visit the National Board of Health and Welfare's website and navigate to "Practical service for naprapaths" and "Application for authorization as a naprapath."
After graduation, many naprapaths choose to open their own clinics, either independently or together with fellow students. However, it is becoming increasingly common to start one's career as an employee. Opportunities for this have grown as several larger naprapathic clinics have emerged in recent years.
Naprapathy is now a well-established form of treatment for muscle and joint pain. There is a high demand for naprapaths because almost everyone experiences muscle or joint pain or suffers a sports injury at some point—the exact types of conditions that naprapaths specialize in treating. Collaborations between naprapaths and regional health authorities, as well as specific care agreements for naprapaths, have become increasingly common since the National Board of Health and Welfare granted professional licensure in 1994. The hiring of corporate naprapaths in the private sector is also increasing to help prevent long-term sick leave. The number of naprapaths working within the sports world, a group that has always favored naprapathic care, is also growing steadily.
Through their training, naprapaths possess the specialization required to take independent medical responsibility and achieve long-term results with the patient groups that currently cost society the most in terms of lost productivity and healthcare expenses—patients with back, neck, joint, and muscle-related issues. This ensures a strong Nordic job market for naprapaths for the foreseeable future.
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