SB 425 - This act creates licensing standards for naturopathic physicians who practice naturopathic medicine. Naturopathic medicine is defined as "a system of health care for the prevention, diagnosis, and care of human health conditions, injuries, and diseases that uses education and natural substances and remedies to support and stimulate the individual's intrinsic self-processes".
The act exempts certain individuals from licensure including: supervised naturopathic practitioners employed as residents in hospitals, naturopathic practitioners licensed elsewhere who consults with an in-state licensee, out-of-state licensees engaged in instruction at schools or hospitals, naturopathic students performing clinical clerkships, those selling vitamins and supplements, and all others licensed as health care professionals.
The act enumerates certain requirements for licensure including: earning a doctor of naturopathy degree from an approved naturopathic college, passage of the naturopathic physician’s licensing exam, reaching 21 years of age, and being lawfully present in the United States.
The State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts is authorized to oversee the licensing of the profession and an Advisory Commission for Naturopathic Medicine is created to advise the board.
CHRIS HOGERTY