Naturopathic Medicine Gains Important Ground in Minnesota
Governor Tim Pawlenty Signs Bill that Allows Naturopathic Doctors to Practice
Naturopathic Medicine in the State
May 27, 2008
The Minnesota Association of Naturopathic Physicians is thrilled to announce that on Friday, May 23, 2008, Governor Tim Pawlenty signed a bill that allows naturopathic doctors to practice naturopathic medicine in Minnesota!
Minnesota is now the 16thU.S. state to regulate the practice of naturopathic medicine. The law allows graduates from CNME recognized naturopathic programs who have passed our national licensing examination to practice as naturopathic doctors in the state. The full text of the bill is available here.
NDs will be registered (as opposed to licensed) with the full diagnostic scope, which includes physical examination, clinical laboratory tests, physiological function test, ordering of imaging etc. They will also be allowed to treat with herbs, dietary supplements and other natural substances; utilize lifestyle counseling; provide hypnotherapy, biofeedback, dietary therapy, electrotherapy, galvanic therapy, oxygen, therapeutic devices, and barrier devices for contraception; and do minor office procedures, including obtaining specimens to assess and treat disease. NDs will be regulated under the Medical Board’s Registered Naturopathic Doctor Advisory Council (to be established under the provisions of the statute).
The bill also includes the formation of a Health Task Force, which will develop recommendations and proposed legislation, as necessary, on regulating naturopathic practitioners who practice as naturopathic medical doctors or physicians and who have postgraduate degrees in naturopathic medicine. The composition of this Task Force will provide for an astute and meaningful review, and should support the further growth of naturopathic medicine and naturopathy in Minnesota.
MNAP’s overall approach towards ‘licensure’ (of importance for nomenclature only) and the expansion of the naturopathic scope of practice in Minnesota is one that will span the next few years. Following the successful lead of the naturopathic associations in Washington, Alaska, New Hampshire and Oregon, MNANP is committed to a multi-year process to create the most comprehensive naturopathic legislation which will best serve our citizens. In the meantime, we are gratefully and proudly ready to become registered naturopathic doctors in Minnesota!
The MNANP is indebted to the Herculean effort of our lobbyist team, Maryann and Dan Campo; to the dedicated efforts of the naturopathic doctors in Minnesota; to the guidance and support from the AANP Alliance; to the support from both SCNM and NCNM, and in particular that from their Presidents; and to the critical groundswell of support from the nationwide naturopathic community in our 99th hour.
Sincerely,
Leslie Vilensky, ND
President, MNANP