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SB 1333

Naturopathic doctors: scope of practice.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brian Jones

Extends and broadens naturopathic doctors’ scope, allowing more procedures and prescribing, with revised supervision and regulatory rules to extend the ND Act beyond 2027.

April 20 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.
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Bill Summary · SB 1333

SB 1333 (2025-2026) – Naturopathic doctors: scope of practice (California)

Overview
- Purpose: Extend and revise the scope of practice for naturopathic doctors (NDs) in California, revising drug-furnishing/prescribing authority, and extending the operative life of the Naturopathic Doctors Act beyond its current sunset.
- Sponsor: Senator Jones (co-sponsor: Brian Jones)

Key changes proposed
- Lifespan of ND Act
- End date extension: Repeal and extension provisions related to the ND Act are adjusted to keep the act in effect beyond January 1, 2027, though the bill text shows the act’s general framework and sunset mechanics remain in flux (the bill would extend operation “until an unspecified date” and update related code sections accordingly).

  • Scope of practice changes (medical procedures and pharmacology)

    • Minor office procedures: The bill redefines and expands minor office procedures that NDs may perform, including care and operative procedures for lacerations, skin lesions, abrasions; incision and drainage of abscesses; trephination of subungual hematomas; removal of foreign bodies; use of local anesthetics (topical and parenteral) and tissue biopsy sampling within the naturopathic scope.
    • Diagnostic support: NDs may order and perform physical, laboratory, and diagnostic imaging studies (e.g., X-ray, ultrasound, mammography, bone densitometry) with appropriate referrals for interpretation.
    • Drug provisions and pharmacology
    • Drug furnishing/prescribing: The bill revises previous limitations by authorizing NDs to furnish, order, or prescribe a broader range of drugs, including Schedule II–V controlled substances, under new structures.
    • Supervision and protocols: The current model of physician supervision, standardized procedures, and protocols would be altered. The bill removes explicit requirements for supervision/SSP protocols in some contexts (details indicate shifting away from the strict supervising-physician model toward a more ND-led framework with defined collaboration and protocol needs).
    • Controlled substances: When Schedule II–V substances are involved, the distribution would be governed by ND–physician collaboration and protocol specifics, with patient-specific protocols for Schedule III substances when applicable.
    • Pharmacology coursework: The California Board of Naturopathic Medicine would certify that the ND completed adequate pharmacology coursework relevant to the drugs being furnished or ordered.

  • Administrative and regulatory updates

    • Standardized procedures and supervision: The bill tightens or redefines the requirements for standardized procedures, supervision, and periodic competence reviews, including how supervision may occur (telephonic availability, collaboration on procedure development, etc.) and the cap on the number of ND practitioners supervised by a single physician.
    • Statutory alignment: Revisions to Sections 3640, 3640.5, and 3686 of the Business and Professions Code, and Section 11150 of the Health and Safety Code, to reflect the updated scope and ongoing operation of the ND regulatory framework.

Who is affected
- Naturopathic doctors (NDs) in California: Subject to revised scope, procedures, drug furnishing/prescribing authorities, and regulatory requirements.
- Supervising physicians (physician and surgeon): May supervise up to a limited number of NDs under the updated framework; collaboration and procedural approvals are emphasized.
- Patients: Potentially broader access to ND-delivered diagnostics, minor procedures, and pharmacologic options (including certain controlled substances) under clarified protocols.

Procedural and timeline notes
- Status: Introduced February 20, 2026; referred to committees with hearings planned in 2026.
- Sunset/continuation: The bill seeks to extend the operative life of the ND regulatory framework beyond the previous sunset (January 1, 2027) and adjust related sections accordingly.
- Legislative process: Requires passage by the Legislature and, likely, signature by the Governor to enact. The fiscal impact is noted as non-appropriations (no direct appropriation) but with fiscal committee consideration.

Impact considerations
- Medical practice: Expands ND capabilities in minor procedures and certain drug administrations, potentially increasing patient access but also increasing the need for robust supervision/coordination with physicians and strict adherence to protocols.
- Safety and regulation: Emphasizes pharmacology training and defined supervision structures to balance ND autonomy with patient safety.
- Access and workforce: Could influence ND integration in primary care settings, urgent care contexts, and clinics leveraging naturopathic medicine.

Note: This summary reflects the bill text as introduced and may be refined through committee amendments and final enactment.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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