Bill
SB 385
Ohio will license and regulate naturopathic medicine, establishing education/exam requirements, two-year licenses, and a public practitioner directory under the medical board.
Proposed by: Senator Johnson
Purpose
- Create a comprehensive licensing framework to license and regulate naturopathic medicine in Ohio.
- Establish standards for education, examination, registration, disciplinary action, and related governance under the Ohio State Medical Board (and related boards where applicable).
Key Provisions and Changes
1) Licensing and Regulation
- Enacts new sections (4789.02 to 4789.12 and 4789.99) to license and regulate naturopathic medicine.
- Naturopathic practitioners would be required to hold a current, valid license to practice (with limited exceptions outlined in the bill).
2) Eligibility and Education (Licensing Requirements)
- Applicants for a naturopathic license must be:
- At least 18 years old.
- Meet education requirements specified in 4789.05 (doctorate in naturopathic medicine from an accredited program, or equivalent Canadian degree with specified training/accreditation criteria).
- Pass a competency-based national naturopathic licensing examination (North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners or successor).
- Demonstrate good ethical and professional reputation.
- Not have current or prior license suspensions/revocations for related reasons (subject to restoration, if applicable).
- Comply with sections 4776.01 to 4776.04 (board-related alignment and conduct rules).
3) Fees
- Initial application fee: $305.
- Renewal fee: $305.
- Fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable for other purposes.
4) Reciprocity/Out-of-State Equivalency
- The board may issue licenses to applicants who hold licenses in other states or meet similar qualifications via recognition of equivalent credentials or experience (governed under Chapter 4796 considerations).
5) Scope and Practice
- The board would govern rules for naturopathic practice.
- The bill permits the board to adopt rules governing naturopathic practice, with one notable exception: the board cannot restrict naturopathic devices, substances, or therapies that licensees may administer as described in 4789.09(A).
6) Public Reporting and Discipline
- The bill includes disciplinary mechanisms and reporting requirements for licensees (consistent with other health professions), including:
- Formal disciplinary actions by health care facilities must be reported to the board within 30 days (with copies of patient records provided under specified conditions).
- Facility actions and peer reviews may be considered in discipline, with protections and limitations as defined.
- Provisions for reporting criminal conduct, sexual misconduct, and other professional issues by licensees, with timelines and confidentiality provisions.
- Requirements for probation disclosures to patients or guardians/third parties when a practitioner is under probation.
7) Administrative and Financial Provisions
- Revenue from licensing and related fees directed to a dedicated operating fund for the Board (subject to exemptions listed in other code sections).
8) Confidential Monitoring and Impairment
- Establishes a confidential monitoring program for impaired practitioners (in collaboration with a monitored organization) to provide evaluation and treatment options.
- The monitoring program includes procedures for eligibility, evaluation, and reporting, with confidentiality safeguards and conditions for disclosure.
- Allows the board to contract with a professional health program to oversee impairment monitoring and ensures participation may involve waivers of certain confidentiality when necessary for public safety and program integrity.
9) Practitioner/Patient Protections and Registry
- The bill requires the board to develop and publish a directory of licensed naturopathic practitioners and maintain public verification of licensure.
- Creates defined terms and cross-references to ensure consistent regulatory governance across 4789 and related chapters.
10) Enforcement and Compliance
- Violations of the new naturopathic licensing regime would be enforceable by the board through established disciplinary procedures, including potential license suspension or revocation (parallel to other health professions).
Potential Impact
Note: The bill text provided contains extensive criminal background check provisions (109.572) and related regulatory cross-references, some of which apply generally to several boards. The summary focuses on the core changes specific to licensing and regulating naturopathic medicine while acknowledging the alignment with broader board and background-check processes.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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