Page last updated 19 Dec 2019
Action alert
Senate Bill 5369 Practice expansion bill failed with no carry over to 2019. Would have allowed licensed naturopaths to prescribe controlled substances listed in Schedules III, IV, and V, to determine which minor office procedures naturopaths could perform, and to define which products naturopaths could prescribe and sell to patients.
Information courtesy of Society for Science-Based Medicine.
Want to get involved?
Contact your Washington 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
Quack blood tests ok’d by Washington naturopathic board. Society for Science-Based Medicine. 2015. Jann Bellamy.
Washington bill would expand naturopathic prescription authority. Society for Science-Based Medicine. 2015. Jann Bellamy.
Scope of practice
Specifically prohibited from treating malignancies (cancer). HIV/AIDS training is required for licensure.
Title: May use the titles “doctor” and “physician”
Prescription drugs: Permitted to prescribe any legend substance per RCW 69.41.010; prohibited from prescribing or administering botulinum toxin (botox)
Controlled substances: Permitted to prescribe codeine and testosterone products within schedules III, IV and V according to RCW 69.50 and 246-887 WAC with affirmation of completing four hours of training at a naturopathic school. (Training in pharmacology is not specific on the affirmation form.)
- Permitted to recommend medical marijuana
IV administration: Permitted with affirmation of completing 16 hours of training in IV training
Diagnostic tests: Permitted, but cannot interpret diagnostic imaging
Minor office procedures: Permitted
Spinal manipulations: Permitted, but prohibited from using the term “chiropractic”
Childbirth/ midwifery: Not permitted
Vaccine waiver: Permitted
Naturopathic assistants: Not defined
Washington RCW’s pertaining to naturopathy, including formulary information
Continuing education requirements
Naturopaths are required to complete 20 hours of continuing education annually. As of 2017, a one-time six hour course on suicide prevention is required.
History
Naturopaths have been regulated in Washington since 1919. In 1988, the law was amended, reflecting current practices of the profession in the state.
How to file a complaint
Naturopaths are regulated by the Washington State Department of Health. Anyone may file a complaint.
Send completed forms to
Washington State Department of Health
Health Systems Quality Assurance
Complaint Intake
P.O. Box 47857
Olympia, WA 98504-7857