AB 973

This bill provides for regulation and licensing for the practice of naturopathic

medicine. Current law does not regulate the practice of naturopathic medicine

specifically, but does require a license in order to engage in anything that falls within

the scope of certain other health care practices, including the practice of medicine

and surgery.

Under the bill, subject to certain exceptions, no one may practice naturopathic

medicine, as defined in the bill, or use the title “naturopathic doctor” or “naturopathic

physician” or make similar representations without a license to practice

naturopathic medicine. A license is granted by the seven-member Naturopathic

Medicine Examining Board, which is created in the bill. Under the bill, the board

must grant an initial license to a person who has completed a qualifying

naturopathic medical program specified in the bill, has passed examinations

specified in the bill, meets certain requirements that the board may establish, does

not have an arrest or conviction record, and pays a fee. The bill allows the board to

disqualify a naturopathic medical program that the board determines does not

adequately prepare students to practice naturopathic medicine. Biennial renewal

of a license requires completion of continuing education requirements established by

the board, as well as satisfaction of other requirements the board may establish.

A naturopathic doctor licensed under the bill may practice naturopathic

medicine, which is defined in the bill and includes a number of specific practices, as

well as a number of practices that are excluded from the definition. The bill also

allows the board to further define the scope of practice of naturopathic medicine by

expressly authorizing or prohibiting certain practices. The practice of naturopathic

medicine includes prescribing drugs, but the bill expressly prohibits naturopathic

doctors from prescribing Schedule I and II controlled substances and narcotics

classified under Schedule III.

The bill requires the board to promulgate rules that establish standards of

practice for and a code of ethics governing the professional conduct of naturopathic

doctors, continuing education requirements for licensure renewal, and examination

standards for licensure, including required passing scores. The bill allows the board

to establish other requirements for initial licensure or renewal of a license and also

allows the board to adopt minimum malpractice insurance requirements for

naturopathic doctors. The bill includes provisions for the professional discipline of

licensees, which allow the board to take certain actions against a licensee who

violates certain prohibitions in the bill.

Finally, the bill also applies certain other laws, such as the law providing for

confidentiality of health care records and the health care workers whistleblowers

protection law, to licensed naturopathic doctors and allows naturopathic doctors to

perform certain actions that can be performed by physicians or other health care

providers, including allowing a naturopathic doctor who is directly involved with the