Bill
AB 639
Enacts regulation of naturopathic doctors - defining scope of practice, licensure, and oversight; Chapter 617, Statutes of 2025.
Status and procedural history
- Introduced: February 13, 2025. Read first time and referred to Committee on Health, Aging and Long‑Term Care.
- Legislative actions (selected): Passed both houses; enrolled and presented to Governor on September 11, 2025. Approved by the Governor and chaptered on October 11, 2025 (Chapter 617, Statutes of 2025).
- Sponsors: Representatives Knodl, Rodriguez, Gundrum, Mursau, Stroud, Kreibich, Behnke, and Wichgers; cosponsored by Senator Testin.
What is known from the filing
- Title: “Relating to: naturopathic doctors.”
- The document provided does not include the bill text or detailed provisions. The action history shows AB 639 advanced through committees, received amendments, passed both chambers, and became law (Chapter 617 of 2025). No specific statutory changes are quoted in the supplied document.
Likely subject matter and intent (based on title)
- The bill pertains to the regulation, scope of practice, licensure, or oversight of naturopathic doctors (sometimes called naturopathic physicians). Bills with this title commonly seek to do one or more of the following:
- Define or expand the scope of practice for licensed naturopathic doctors.
- Establish or revise licensure or certification requirements (education, examinations, supervised clinical hours).
- Grant or limit prescriptive authority (e.g., prescription drugs, certain controlled substances) or authority to order diagnostic tests and refer to specialists.
- Clarify title protection (who may call themselves a “naturopathic doctor”).
- Place naturopathic practitioners under a specific state licensing board or create reporting/disciplinary rules.
- Address insurance reimbursement, Medicaid/Medicare recognition, or practice settings (clinics, hospitals).
- Because the bill became law, the enacted statute in Chapter 617 will contain the exact modifications.
Who is affected
- Primary: licensed or prospective naturopathic doctors and applicants for naturopathic licensure.
- Secondary: patients receiving naturopathic care, healthcare employers, hospitals/clinics, other licensed health professionals (physicians, pharmacists), state licensing boards, insurers and public health programs.
Potential impacts (general)
- Changes could increase or constrain the services naturopathic doctors may provide, affecting patient access to complementary/alternative care.
- Alterations to licensure or prescriptive authority would affect training requirements, liability, collaboration with other providers, and insurer coverage decisions.
- Regulatory shifts may alter enforcement, disciplinary processes, or inter‑professional scopes (e.g., supervision requirements).
Next steps / where to find the law text
- The precise legal language and effective date are in the enacted statute: Chapter 617, Statutes of 2025. To determine the exact changes, effective date, and transitional provisions, consult the official statute or the bill’s enrolled/printed versions on the state legislature’s website or the Secretary of State’s chaptered statutes for 2025.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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