House Bill 196 Summary

• Establishes a new Chapter 51 in Title 54, Idaho Code, to create a state licensing system for naturopathic physicians in Idaho, administered by the Idaho Board of Medicine with an advisory Naturopathic Licensure Board.

• Licensed naturopathic physicians may provide primary care services including physical and laboratory examinations, diagnostic and imaging tests, prescription drugs and medical devices from an approved formulary (excluding controlled substances except testosterone), and minor office procedures, but are prohibited from practicing obstetrics.

• Requires applicants to graduate from an approved naturopathic medical program, pass a national licensing examination, submit to a fingerprint-based criminal history check, and may be required to undergo a personal interview to demonstrate qualifications.

• The Naturopathic Licensure Board consists of five members: three licensed naturopathic physicians, one physician licensed under Chapter 18, and one public member, all appointed by the Idaho Board of Medicine for staggered three-year terms with a maximum of three terms per member.

• Beginning July 1, 2019, establishes state preemption of local regulation of naturopathic physicians and makes it a misdemeanor to practice naturopathic medicine without a valid license or to use restricted titles such as "licensed naturopathic physician" or "L.N.D." without authorization.