Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board
Agency Contact Information
State of Arizona Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board
Authority
The Arizona Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board was originally established in 1935. Statutory authority is found in A.R.S.§§32-1501 through 32-1581 and describes Board powers and duties, licensing, regulation and dispensing natural substances and devices. Administrative rules are found at A.A.C. R4-18-101 et seq.
Function
The Arizona Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board (Board) was established in 1935 with the mission to protect the public by regulating the practice of naturopathic medicine (Laws 1935, Chapter 105). The practice of naturopathic medicine is defined as a system of diagnosing and treating patients using natural means such as physical manipulation, clinical nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, counseling, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy. The Board's responsibilities include licensing and certifying professionals; resolving complaints; and providing information to the public.
The Board consists of seven members, appointed by the Governor to five-year terms.
History
The Board was established in 1935 with the mission to protect the public by regulating the practice of naturopathic medicine. The law created a Board of Naturopathic Examiners; provided for appointment of Board members; fixed their term of office and compensation; defined naturopathy and provided for the enforcement of the law. "Naturopathy" was defined to include "all forms of physiotherapy and a system of treating the abnormalities of the human mind and body using drugless and non-surgical methods, the use of physical, electrical, hygienic, and sanitary measures" (Laws 1935, Chapter 105).
The Board was renamed the State Naturopathic Physicians Board of Examiners in 1982 (Laws 1982, Chapter 210 and Laws 1982, Chapter 1, 6th Special Session). (Note: The Sixth Special Session was called by Governor Babbitt to correct defects and errors in six legislative enactments adopted during the regular session.) The Board has also been named the Naturopathic Board of Medical Examiners (Laws 1992, Chapter 128); the Naturopathic Physicians Board of Medical Examiners (Laws 1995, Chapter 265); and the Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board (Laws 2008, Chapter 16).
Laws 1990, Chapter 281 required the Board to compile and publish a directory that included a listing of all Board members, all licensees, and a copy of both the laws and rules related to the Board.
Laws 1998, Chapter 284 made extensive changes to Board statutes, including provisions relating to appointment of an executive director; authority to issue temporary licenses and modifications to exams required to obtain a license to practice naturopathy.
Laws 2001, Chapter 289 added two members to the Board.
For a time, the executive director of the Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board also served as the executive director of the Board of Massage Therapy and the staff of the Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board carried out the administrative responsibilities of the Board of Massage Therapy. The Board of Massage Therapy was created in 2003 and its finances, appropriations and executive director were all under the Naturopathic Board (Laws 2003, Chapter 202). The boards operated independently, with distinct board members. In 2013, the two boards were separated (Laws 2013, Chapter 108).
Laws 2018, Chapter 243 prohibits a naturopathic physician from dispensing opioids and classifies a violation as unprofessional conduct.
Laws 2019, Chapter 195 allowed the Board to authorize its executive director to issue licenses, certifications, registrations, preceptorships, reinstatements, and waivers to eligible applicants who meet the requirements identified in the statute. The measure also addressed temporary licenses. A.R.S. §32-3124.I states: "This section applies to a health profession regulatory board to the extent that this section does not conflict with the board's current statutory authority relating to temporary licensure." The Board may adopt rules to carry out the new provisions.
A second enactment in 2019 requires the Board to regulate the unauthorized practice of the profession by investigating complaints and referring verified complaints to the county attorney or attorney general for prosecution. See Laws 2019, Chapter 227.
Laws 2021, Chapter 119 extends several authorities and responsibilities to naturopathic physicians that currently apply to other health professionals. The responsibilities relate to issuing standing orders for the use of epinephrine auto-injectors, certifying student absences, HIV testing, providing medical information for inclusion on a driver license, and reporting significant levels of lead detected through analysis of blood samples.
Laws 2021, Chapter 259 requires the Board to establish training requirements for naturopathic medical assistants by administrative rule and prescribes the components of the training program. The measure prescribes the same training components for the Arizona Medical Board and the Board of Osteopathic Examiners in Medicine Surgery.
Laws 2022, Chapter 8 modifies the scope of practice for naturopathic physicians by extending several authorities that apply to other health professionals. Naturopathic physicians are authorized to: determine the blood alcohol concentration of a deceased person involved in an auto related death; remove or provide clearance to a student who may have sustained a concussion or other head related injury; and provide written confirmation to a person who has a medical reason for an exemption from window tinting requirements. The measure also provides certain exemptions from civil liability for naturopathic physicians.
Laws 2023, Chapter 9 deletes the clinical training program for students and related administrative responsibilities; modifies duties of the executive director by eliminating the requirement to conduct periodic inspections of dispensing practices of naturopathic doctors. Note: The Auditor General recommended eliminating the clinical training program. See Auditor General Performance Audit and Sunset Review: June 2022. Report No. 22-104.
Sources
- Arizona Revised Statutes §§32-1501 through 32-1581
- Arizona Administrative Code §§R4-18-101 et seq.
- Session Laws
- Laws 1935, Chapter 105
- Laws 1982, Chapter 210
- Laws 1982, Chapter 1, 6th Special Session
- Laws 1990, Chapter 281
- Laws 1992, Chapter 128
- Laws 1995, Chapter 265
- Laws 1998, Chapter 284
- Laws 2001, Chapter 289
- Laws 2003, Chapter 202
- Laws 2008, Chapter 16
- Laws 2013, Chapter 108
- Laws 2018, Chapter 243
- Laws 2019, Chapter 195 and Chapter 227
- Laws 2021, Chapter 119 and Chapter 259
- Laws 2022, Chapter 8
- Laws 2023, Chapter 9
Arizona Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board website
Arizona Memory Project Arizona Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board agency collection
Sunrise Application of the Arizona Naturopathic Medical Association, 2017
Related Collections at Arizona State Archives
- Record Group 235 – Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board
