H847 - Naturopathic Doctors Licensing Act

• Establishes licensure requirements and regulatory framework for naturopathic doctors in North Carolina, effective January 1, 2012, requiring practitioners to obtain a state license to practice naturopathic medicine.

• Creates the North Carolina Naturopathic Doctors Licensing Board with seven members (four naturopathic doctors, two physicians, and one public member) to administer licensure, set qualifications, conduct examinations, and enforce disciplinary actions.

• Sets licensure qualifications requiring applicants to graduate from an approved naturopathic medicine program, pass a national competency examination, and provide letters from at least four specialty physicians willing to accept referrals.

• Defines the scope of naturopathic practice to include dispensing natural remedies, physical examinations, laboratory tests, hydrotherapy, dietary therapy, and musculoskeletal manipulation, while prohibiting surgery, general anesthesia, prescription drugs, and procedures requiring other professional licenses.

• Establishes license fees including $600 for initial licensure, $400 for renewal (every two years with 40 hours continuing education required), and $1,000 for reinstatement of lapsed licenses.