Legislation

Regulation of Naturopathic Medicine

Currently, 20 states, the District of Columbia, and the United States territories of Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands have licensing or regulation laws for naturopathic doctors. In these states, naturopathic doctors are required to graduate from an accredited four-year residential naturopathic medical school and pass extensive postdoctoral board examinations (NPLEX) in order to receive a license and/or be registered with the state. These naturopathic doctors must fulfill state-mandated continuing education requirements annually, and will have a specific scope of practice defined by their state’s law. The states that currently have licensing and/or registration laws for naturopathic doctors include:

Regulation of Naturopathic Doctors in North Carolina

The NCANP has been working diligently for two decades to educate members of the NC General Assembly about Naturopathic Medicine and all that Naturopathic Doctors do to improve the health of their communities. The NCANP legislative committee has worked tirelessly through the years to promote our bills and garner enough support for passage of legislation which will provide for recognition, regulation, and defined scope of practice for Naturopathic Doctors in North Carolina.

Our work is not done. While we have garnered significant support in past years, our legislation has not yet been passed. That is why we need the help of those who support Naturopathic Medicine. If we unite, then our message will be heard: The people of North Carolina want access to safe, effective natural health care provided by board-certified, licensed Naturopathic Doctors. We support naturopathic legislation because it sets education and board certification standards for the practice of Naturopathic Medicine. It improves public safety. It expands options in health care. It even saves North Carolina money because Naturopathic Doctors keep people WELL without high-cost interventions. It just makes sense.

The NCANP posts frequent updates and calls to action on our facebook page and through direct email. You can follow our facebook postings at NCANP Facebook. You can sign up for direct email communication from the NCANP here. Our impact is so much greater when legislators receive your emails and phone calls. This is absolutely the best way to make your voice heard and vote for the type of healthcare that you want for yourself and your loved ones.

Grassroots activism works, but only if our voices are united, consistent and louder than our opposition.

What can you do any day of the week, any week of the year? It always helps to keep our bills fresh in the minds of the Senate and House leadership and Co-Chairs of the Senate and House Health Committees. Call them to express your support. Tell them why Naturopathic Medicine is important to you. These are people who care about the health of North Carolina citizens. Your calls really do matter.

Senator Phil Berger, Senate President Pro Tempore 919-733-5708
Representative Tim Moore, Speaker of the House 919-733-3451

Together we can get this important work done. Let’s help North Carolina to step into the modern world of integrative medicine!

You can also greatly support our work by making a one-time or recurrent donation. We welcome contributions from businesses, groups, and individuals who feel inspired to help keep our legislative efforts funded. Click here to Donate.