CSSB 38(HSS) - Naturopathy Licensing and Practice

• Establishes the Naturopathy Advisory Board consisting of 5 members (2 public members and 3 licensed naturopaths) to provide recommendations on public policy and regulations to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.

• Requires naturopath applicants to hold a doctoral degree from an accredited naturopathic medical school, pass the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination, complete a two-year naturopathic externship, and pass a pharmaceutical examination equivalent to physician assistant requirements.

• Permits licensed naturopaths to prescribe natural therapeutic substances, perform diagnostic procedures and limited office surgery on superficial tissues, and administer natural therapies; prohibits prescription of cancer chemotherapeutic agents and controlled substances.

• Establishes continuing education requirements equivalent to physician assistants, including mandatory 2-hour training in pain management and opioid use within two years before license renewal and cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification.

• Expands disciplinary grounds to include sexual misconduct, professional incompetence, drug/alcohol impairment, and violations of federal medical practice laws; allows civil penalties up to $25,000 and requires reporting to the National Practitioner Data Bank.

• Takes effect January 1, 2022, with current licensees allowed to continue practicing under previous requirements until normal license expiration.