Naturopathic Medicine in North Dakota

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

North Dakota licensing bill


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.

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