AB 529

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 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 a disqualifying arrest or conviction record, and

pays a fee. The bill also provides, for one year after the licensure requirement goes

into effect, for a limited-scope license for individuals who satisfy other criteria

specified in the bill. 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, as well as excludes, a number of

specific practices. 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