Naturopathic Medicine in North Carolina

Page last updated 19 Dec 2019

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Senate Bill 258 Naturopathic Doctors Certification Act failed. The act would have established certification and education standards for the practice of naturopathic medicine. Naturopaths would have been allowed to diagnose and treat disease, order diagnostic exams and blood work, perform minor surgery, and administer substances orally, rectally, vaginally, and transdermally. Would have allowed naturopaths to call themselves doctors. Would have established a naturopathic board consisting of naturopaths, physicians, and a public member. Certification is essentially the same as licensing.

Sponsored by Senators Joyce Krawiec, Jerry W. Tillman, and Tommy Tucker.

House Bill 277 passed, establishing work group to study oversight and regulation of naturopathic practice.

Sponsored by Representatives John Faircloth,  Rena W. Turner,  Gregory F. Murphy, and Stephen M. Ross.

Information courtesy of Society for Science-Based Medicine.

Want to get involved?

Contact your North Carolina 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


Scope of Practice

Naturopaths are not registered or licensed in North Carolina.


History

In 2015, companion bills for the Naturopathic Doctors Licensing Act, HB 913 and SB 118, were introduced.


How to file a complaint

Physicians are regulated by the North Carolina Medical Board. Anyone can file a complaint against a naturopath practicing medicine without a license. Additional information and an online complaint form can be found on the board’s website.

Download complaint form

Disclaimer