S846 - Naturopathic Doctors Licensure Act Summary

• Establishes licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors in North Carolina through a new North Carolina Naturopathic Doctors Licensure Board consisting of seven members (four naturopathic doctors, two physicians with integrative medicine experience, and one public member).

• Requires naturopathic doctors to graduate from an approved program with at least 132 weeks of training, pass the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination (NPLEX), and maintain a collaboration agreement with a licensed physician; licensees must complete 20 hours of continuing education annually.

• Permits licensed naturopathic doctors to dispense natural remedies, perform physical examinations and lab tests, order diagnostic imaging, provide hydrotherapy and physical medicine, and administer substances through various routes (oral, topical, rectal, vaginal, etc.).

• Prohibits naturopathic doctors from prescribing controlled substances, performing surgery, using anesthetics, delivering babies, or diagnosing and treating cancer (except adjunctive care); violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

• Sets maximum licensing fees at $200 for application/examination, $300 for initial license, $350 for renewal, and establishes a Naturopathic Doctors Formulary Council to recommend approved substances; becomes effective January 1, 2021.