Page last updated 19 Dec 2019
Action alert
None. See history, below, for recent legislation updates.
Want to get involved?
Contact your Connecticut Senate and Assembly representatives and voice your opposition to legitimizing the practice of naturopathy.
Not sure what to say? From Jann Bellamy:
A 2014 report by the Department of Public Health found [naturopathic] education and training, plus passing the NPLEX exam, insufficient for prescribing privilege, a fact that has since been admitted by the Board of Naturopathic Examiners.
Sign the petition Naturopaths are not doctors: stop legitimizing pseudoscience
Media Coverage
Connecticut “modernizes” naturopathic scope of practice. Science-Based Medicine. 2014. Jann Bellamy.
Scope of practice
Title: May use the titles doctors and physician
Prescription drugs: Not permitted to prescribe all legend and non-legend drugs
Controlled substances: Not permitted to prescribe
IV administration: Not permitted
Diagnostic tests: Permitted
Minor office procedures: Not specified
Spinal manipulations: Permitted
Childbirth/ midwifery: Not specified
Vaccine waiver: Not specified
Naturopathic assistants: Not specified
Connecticut updated scope of practice (2014)
Connecticut statutes naturopathy
Continuing education requirements
Connecticut requires naturopaths to complete 15 hours of continuing education every year. (Note: Connecticut requires physicians and surgeons to complete 50 hours each year.)
History
Licensed since 1920; had limited scope of practice until 2014.
Senate Bill 125 Failed in 2017. Would have allowed licensed naturopaths who meet unspecified requirements to prescribe medications defined in a formulary. The bill was introduced by Senator Theresa Gerratana.
Senate Bill 314 Failed in 2017. Supported the prescription of legend drugs by licensed naturopaths. The bill was introduced by Senator Catherine Osten.
House Bill 6250 Failed in 2017. Would have allowed licensed naturopaths who have medical collaboration agreements with physicians or advanced nurse practitioners to prescribe legend drugs. The bill was introduced by Representative Ezequiel Santiago.
Information courtesy of Society for Science-Based Medicine.
2014 Scope Modernization Bill passed
How to file a complaint
The Connecticut Department of Health investigates complaints against health practitioners. Anyone may file a complaint. There is currently no online complaint system. A complaint document needs to be completed and mailed to the Department of Health.
Mail completed form to:
State of ConnecticutDepartment of Public HealthPractitioner Investigations Unit410 Capitol Avenue, MS#12HSRP.O. Box 340308Hartford, CT 06134-0308