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Definitions of Naturopathy

ALASKA
The statute states: " 'Naturopathy' means the use of hydrotherapy, dietetics, electrotherapy, sanitation, suggestion, mechanical and manual manipulation for the stimulation of physiological and psychological action to establish a normal condition of mind and body; in this paragraph, 'dietetics' includes herbal and homeopathic remedies."

ALASKA STAT. § 08.45.200(3) (1962). More Information Links to full text of Statutes (Title 8-Chapter 45)



ARIZONA
The statute states: " 'Naturopathic medicine' means medicine as practiced by a recipient of a degree of doctor of naturopathic medicine licensed pursuant to this chapter."

ARIZ. REV. STAT. ANN. § 32-1501(10) (1992 & Supp. 1994-1995).



CONNECTICUT

The statute states: "The practice of natureopathy means the science, art and practice of healing by natural methods as recognized by the council of natureopathic medical education and approved by the State Board of Natureopathic Examiners, with the consent of the commissioner, and shall include:

(1) counseling and

(2) the practice of the mechanical and material sciences of healing as follows: The mechanical sciences such as mechanotherapy, articular manipulation, corrective and orthopedic gymnastics, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy and phototherapy; and the material sciences such as nutrition, dietetics, phytotherapy, treatment by natural substances and external applications."

CONN. GEN. STAT. ANN. § 20-34(a) (West 1958 & Supp. 1995).



DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The statute states: "A person registered to practice naturopathy or naturopathic healing may counsel individuals and treat human conditions through the use of naturally occurring substances in accordance with the requirements of this chapter."

D.C. CODE ANN. § 2-3309.1(b) (1994).



FLORIDA
The statute states: " 'Natureopathy' and 'Naturopathy' shall be construed as synonymous terms and mean the use and practice of psychological, mechanical, and material health sciences to aid in purifying, cleansing, and normalizing human tissues for the preservation or restoration of health, according to the fundamental principles of anatomy, physiology, and applied psychology, as may be required. Naturopathic practice employs, among other agencies, phytotherapy, dietetics, psychotherapy, suggestotherapy, hydrotherapy, zone therapy, biochemistry, external applications, electrotherapy, mechanotherapy, mechanical and electrical appliances, hygiene, first aid, sanitation, and heliotherapy; provided, however, that nothing in this chapter shall be held or construed to authorize any naturopathic physician licensed hereunder to practice materia medica or surgery or chiropractic, nor shall the provisions of this law in any manner apply to or affect the practice of osteopathy, chiropractic, Christian Science, or any other treatment authorized and provided for by law for the cure or prevention of disease and ailments."

FLA. STAT. ANN. § 462.01(1) (West 1991). (**This is to be repealed Oct. 1995)



HAWAII
The statute states: " 'Naturopathy' means the practice of:

(1) Natural medicine, natural therapeutics, and natural procedures, for the purpose of removing toxic conditions from the body and improving the quality, quantity, harmony, balance, and flow of the vital fluids, vital tissues, and vital energy; and

(2) Diagnosing, treating, and caring for patients using a system of practice that bases its treatment of physiological functions and abnormal conditions on natural laws governing the human body; utilizing physiological, psychological, and mechanical methods, such as air, water, light, sunshine, heat and cold, earth, phytotherapy, physiotherapy, mechanotherapy, naturopathic corrections and manipulation, and natural methods or modalities, together with natural or homeopathic medicines, natural food and herbs, and nature's remedies of the type taught in education and training at naturopathic medical colleges. The practice of naturopathy excludes surgery, application of x-rays, and prescribing, dispensing, or using prescription drugs except as provided for in the definition of natural medicine."

HAW. REV. STAT. § 455-1 (1995 & Supp. 1994).



MONTANA

The statute states: " 'Naturopathic medicine', 'naturopathic health care', or 'naturopathy' means a system of primary health care practiced by naturopathic physicians for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human health conditions, injury, and disease. Its purpose is to promote or restore health by the support and stimulation of the individual's inherent self-healing processes. This is accomplished through education of the patient by a naturopathic physician and through the use of natural therapies and therapeutic substances."

MONT. CODE ANN. § 37-26-103(7) (1993).



NEW HAMPSHIRE
The statute states: " 'Naturopathic medicine' means a system of primary health care practiced by doctors of naturopathic medicine for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human health conditions, injuries, and diseases that uses education, natural medicines and therapies to support and stimulate the individual's intrinsic self-healing processes."

N.H. REV. STAT. ANN. § 328-E:2(IX) (Supp. 1994).

OREGON
The statute states: " 'Naturopathic medicine' means the discipline that includes physiotherapy, natural healing processes and minor surgery and has as its objective the maintaining of the body in, or of restoring it to, a state of normal health."

OR. REV. STAT. § 685.010(5) (1989 & Supp. 1994).

TENNESSEE
The statute states: " 'Naturopathy' means nature cure or health by natural methods and is defined as the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human injuries, ailments and disease by the use of such physical forces, as air, light, water, vibration, heat, electricity, hydrotherapy, psychotherapy, dietetics or massage, and the administration of botanical and biological drugs."

TENN. CODE ANN. § 63-6-205(1) (1990 & Supp. 1994).

WASHINGTON The statute states: "Naturopathic medicine or naturopathy is the practice by naturopaths of the art and science of the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disorders of the body by stimulation or support, or both, of the natural processes of the human body. A naturopath is responsible and accountable to the consumer for the quality of naturopathic care rendered.

The practice of naturopathy includes manual manipulation (mechanotherapy), the prescription, administration, dispensing, and use, except for the treatment of malignancies or neoplastic disease, of nutrition and food science, physical modalitites, homeopathy, certain medicines of mineral, animal, and botanical origin, hygien and immunization, common diagnostic procedures, and suggestion; however, nothing in this chapter shall prohibit consultation and treatment of a patient in concert with a practitioner licensed under chapter 18.57 or 18.71 RCW."

WASH. REV. CODE ANN. § 18.36A.040 (West 1989 & Supp. 1995).



Naturopathic Requirements

ALASKA
* Received degree from an accredited four-year college or university;

* Received degree from a school of naturopathy, which is accredited or that is a candidate for accreditation by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education, and which required four years of attendance;

* On or before December 1987, received a license to practice naturopathy in a state that required an examination for the license;

* After December 1987, graduated from a school of naturopathy, which is accredited or is a candidate for accreditation and which required four years of attendance;

* Passed the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination sponsored by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and administered by the state where the exam was taken.

ALASKA STAT. § 08.45.030 (1962 & Supp. 1994).



ARIZONA * Graduated from a school of naturopathic medicine approved by the board;

* Completed an internship, preceptorship or clinical training program in naturopathic medicine approved by the board;

* Possess a good moral and professional reputation;

* Not be guilty of any act of unprofessional conduct or any other conduct which would be grounds for refusal, suspension or revocation of a license under this chapter;

* Have no license to practice any profession refused, revoked, or refused;

* File application and pay appropriate fees.

ARIZ. REV. STAT. ANN. § 32-1522(A) (1992 & Supp. 1994-1995).



CONNECTICUT * Pass an examination prescribed by the department;

* Graduated from an approved high school;

* Begin study before 1963: Completed a course of study consisting of not less than thirty-two weeks duration;

* Begin study after 1963: completed a course of study of an academic year consisting of not less than sixty-four weeks' duration, in a college or scientific school approved by the board; OR

* Possessed educational qualifications equivalent to those required for graduation from such school before beginning the study of natureopathy;

* Is a graduate of a legally chartered, reputable school or college of natureopathy, which is approved by the board and which required the applicant a course of resident instruction of at least four years (each year consists of thirty-six weeks of actual attendance).

* File application and appropriate fees.

CONN. GEN. STAT. ANN. § 20-37 (West 1958 & Supp. 1995).



DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
* Register prescribed forms with the Mayor;

* Pay registration fee.

D.C. CODE ANN. § 2-3309.1 (1994).



FLORIDA -

Does not have requirements listed.


HAWAII
* Graduated from a school, university or college of naturopathy, which is accredited;

* Receive a converted score of seventy-five on each part of the examination, which is administered by the board;

HAW. REV. STAT. § 455-3, § 455-7 (1995 & Supp. 1994).



MONTANA
* Applicant is of good moral character as determined by the board;

* Graduated from an approved naturopathic medical college;

* Passed an examination prescribed and endorsed by the board.

MONT. CODE ANN. § 37-26-402 (1993).



NEW HAMPSHIRE
* Graduated from a naturopathic medical college which is accredited;

* Pass examination administered by the board;

* Possess a good moral and professional reputation;

* Be mentally and physically fit to practice naturopathic medicine;

* Have no naturopathic license, certificate or registration revoked, refused or suspended;

* File application and pay fees.

N.H. REV. STAT. ANN. § 328-E:9(I) (Supp. 1994).



OREGON
* Satisfactory liberal arts and sciences study, or either, for at least two years in an accredited college or university;

* Graduate from an approved naturopathic school or college;

* Pass examination, which is administered by the board,

* File application and pay fees.

OR. REV. STAT. §§ 685.060, 685.080 (1989 & Supp. 1994).



UTAH
* Prove to the satisfaction of the director that the applicant was in process of licensure and had passed the basic science board examination prior to June 29, 1981;

* Pass the clinical examination given by the naturopathic board.

UTAH CODE ANN. § 58-12-22(1) (1953). (Is to be repealed 7/1/95.)

WASHINGTON
* Completion of an educational program approved by the secretary;

* The minimum standard of the educational program shall be the successful completion of a doctorate degree program in naturopathy, which includes:

- a minimum of two hundred post-graduate hours in the study of mechanotherapy from an approved educational program, or successful completion of equivalent alternate training that meets the criteria established by the secretary;

* Complete equivalent experience requirements that are established by the secretary;

* Complete examination administered by the secretary;

* Possess a good moral character;

* Not having engaged in unprofessional conduct or being unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety as a result of physical or mental impairment.

WASH. REV. CODE ANN. § 18.36A.090 (West 1989 & Supp. 1995).