Page last updated 19 Dec 2019
Action alert
None.
Want to get involved?
Contact your North Dakota Senate and Assembly representatives and voice your opposition to legitimizing the practice of naturopathy.
Not sure what to say? Check out these tips for speaking with lawmakers from the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Sign the petition Naturopaths are not doctors: stop legitimizing pseudoscience
Media Coverage
Naturopathic Scope of Practice Expansion Killed in North Dakota. Naturopathic Diaries. 2015. Britt Hermes.
Scope of practice
Title: May use the title “doctor”
- A license is required to practice naturopathy
- Prohibited from using title “physician”
- May not advertise as a primary care doctor
Prescription drugs: Not permitted to prescribe legend substances
Controlled substances: Not permitted to prescribe controlled substances
IV administration: Not defined
Diagnostic tests: May perform and order noninvasive diagnostic exams
Minor office procedures: Not permitted
Spinal manipulations: Not permitted
Childbirth/ midwifery: Obstetrics are not permitted, but the practice of midwifery is not defined
Vaccine waiver: Not defined
Naturopathic assistants: Not defined
Continuing education requirements
Forty continuing education credits are required every two years. Five of these hours must be in pharmacology.
History
North Dakota has required licenses in order to practice naturopathy since 2012. Scope expansion efforts failed in 2015 and again in 2017 (SB 2256, see below).
Senate Bill 2256 attempted to regulate the practice of midwifery in the state. The bill did not mention of scope expansion for licensed naturopaths. Previous version of the bill would have allowed naturopaths to prescribe some legend drugs listed on a formulary, to perform minor office procedures, and attend childbirth, if certified. The failed version of the bill was heavily modified. Information courtesy of Society for Science-Based Medicine.
How to file a complaint
Naturopaths are regulated by the North Dakota State Board of Integrative Health Care. The board does not list information regarding how to file a complaint against a licensed naturopath in the state. However, the board should be able to receive and process written complaints. Include your information, the name and address of the naturopath, and details pertaining to your complaint. Send complaint letters to
North Dakota Board of Integrative Health Care
Attention: Kevin Oberlander
705 E. Main Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58501
You could also call the board at (701) 255-1881 for additional information.