What about medical licenses?

Licensure and license eligibility are major factors the health consumer should consider when selecting a naturopathic medical care provider. The licensure boards in this

country are charged by state legislatures to set standards of education, examination, character fitness, and other criteria for certifying suitability of the applicants for a

medical license. The purpose of these boards is to protect public safety and regulate

the practice of naturopathic medicine. Unfortunately, not all states provide for

naturopathic license. This means anyone can practice as a naturopath in unlicensed states, risking only the possible violation of state law regarding the practice of medicine.

Naturopathic medicine is about 100 years old. Its founder, Benjamin Lust, MD

practiced general medicine in the state of New York. His interest in a holistic,

preventive approach to medical care was stimulated in part by his trips to European

health spas. He established much of the European emphasis on nature cure, nutrition,

and hydrotherapy as the foundation for naturopathic practice and treatment. Lust’s approach to the practice of medicine, augmented with natural therapeutics from several health care disciplines, evolved into a distinct branch of medicine practiced by several hundred practitioners and schools throughout America. The archives of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians indicate that in 1920:

· over 10,000 doctors attended naturopathic medical conventions,

· there were over 20 naturopathic medical colleges, and

· a majority of states licensed naturopathic medical doctors.

Naturopathic medicine experienced a decline during the 1930s and 1940s due to the

rise of pharmaceutical drugs, technology, and the concept that drugs could eliminate all disease. Many of the old time naturopaths passed away and new physicians primarily studied at the conventional medical institutions that became dominant in US medical practice. All of the American naturopathic medicals then in existence closed as many states eliminated licensure of naturopathic medicine.

In 1956, National College of Naturopathic Medicine came into being. It is the oldest institution in continuous operation for the instruction of naturopathic medical doctors. Bastyr College followed in the 70s. The Canadian school was the next school; followed by Southwest in Arizona, and then University of Bridgeport in Connecticut became the

most recent naturopathic medical school. All of these institutions provide accredited postgraduate degrees that are accepted by the Committee on Naturopathic Medical Education (“CNME”), a program accreditor for naturopathic medical degrees and a

body of the America Association of Naturopathic Physicians that functions in

co-operation with the US Department of Education as institutional accreditors.

    The growth of these educational institutions and the resurgence of the profession are due to the increased interest of health-conscious consumers in alternatives as well as

the increasingly apparent limitations and problems associated with conventional

medical care delivery.

    An applicant for licensure in the US must be a graduate of one of the five previously listed schools. With an accredited degree in hand, a graduate can apply to the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners to take exams covering all the basic

medical and clinical sciences of the medical school curriculum. Upon passing the examinations, the applicant applies to a jurisdiction for licensure. Each of the

jurisdictions has a licensing board. The license requirements as well as scopes of naturopathic medical practice vary in each one.

    Naturopathic modalities as well as allopathic modalities all have risk associated with

the inappropriate diagnosis and application of treatment. While naturopathic medicine strives to use non-toxic, harmless methods of treatment, the absences of education and licensure can become a serious health risk for the consumer. An accurate diagnosis

and application of treatment for any medical issue is paramount to assuring the health

care of the consumer. Licensing is an effective method of assuring safety and quality medical care.

    The State of Arizona has a full scope of medical practice and grants a license to

practice medicine. I am a primary care physician with a specialization in naturopathic medicine. In addition to utilizing natural therapeutics, I also use conventional treatments such as minor surgery and legend pharmaceutical prescriptions when appropriate and most efficacious. I attempt to integrate my medical care closely with the cooperation

of conventional medical and osteopathic physicians.

The State of California permits scope of practice that is similar to Arizona. I am licensed to practice naturopathic medicine by both California and Arizona.

Bottom line: I provide comprehensive medical care specific to the individual’s total

health care needs.