Regulates the practice of naturopathic medicine

6 Co-sponsors

• Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.
• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• Andrew J. Lanza
• William J. Larkin Jr.
• George D. Maziarz
• James L. Seward

BILL NUMBER:S4828A

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, the limited liability company law and the partnership law, in relation to the practice of naturopathy; and to amend the social services law, in relation to the reporting of child abuse

Purpose

The bill relates to the licensing of naturopathic doctors.

Summary of provisions

A new Article 132-A is added to the Education Law to establish naturopathic doctors as licensed professionals in New York State. This legislation also includes specific requirements for the education and residency training for naturopaths the creation of a state board for naturopathy, and continuing education provisions.

Justification

Currently, in New York State there are no regulations for naturopathy. Anyone can call themselves a naturopathic doctor, even if they finished a home study course in as little as six weeks. Licensing will offer the public a way to find qualified naturopaths who perform this important aspect of complementary and integrative medicine.

Naturopaths are currently licensed in Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington D.C., Washington State District of Colombia, Minnesota, North Dakota as well as the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

To be licensed as a Naturopath and use one of the titles associated with Naturopathy a person needs, among other requirements, to have received a doctoral diploma from a registered school of Naturopathic Medicine and have satisfactorily completed an approved clinical post-graduate residency training of an approved program with five years of clinical supervision of not less than 12 months in duration and pass a national examination.

Licensure will provide access to qualified Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) who provide care not offered by other currently licensed professionals: well-care. Licensure also allows for the creation of education institutions that train NDs in New York, which is not possible until licensure exists.

Considering the rapidly increasing rate of chronic health issues, the lack of practitioners licensed to address chronic health issues, and the costs involved in addressing chronic health issues, licensing Naturopathic Doctors is a long-overdue and critical step in the future financial and medical well-being of New York State.

Legislative history

2011-12 S.1803E; 2009-2010 S.1930; 2007-08, S.2790; 2005, S.1617; 2004, S.6609.

Fiscal implications

None. All costs associated with the creation of this new profession would be recovered through filing and registration fees.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the three hundred sixtieth day after it shall have become a law; provided however, that if section 3 of part D of Chapter 501 of the Laws of 2012 shall not have taken effect on or before such date then section eight of this act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as section 3 of part D of Chapter 501 of the Laws of 2012 takes effect; provided further that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed by the commissioner of education and the board of regents on or before such effective date.