HEALTH: Creates the Louisiana Board of Naturopathic Medicine

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2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 1093
BY REPRESENTATIVES CARLSON, COATES, VENTRELLA, AND BRYANT
HEALTH: Creates the Louisiana Board of Naturopathic Medicine
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 36:259(A)(25) and Chapter 62 of Title 37 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes
3 of 1950, to be comprised of R.S. 37:3731 through 3744, relative to the practice of
4 naturopathic medicine; to create the Louisiana Naturopathic Medicine Examining
5 Board; to provide for the duties and functions of the board; to provide for licensing
6 naturopathic doctors; to provide for educational requirements; to provide for scope
7 of practice; to prohibit certain acts; to provide for prescriptive authority; to establish
8 independent practice; to provide for advertising; to provide for displaying
9 credentials; to provide for fees; and to provide for related matters.
10 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
11 Section 1. R.S. 36:259(A)(25) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
12 §259. Transfer of agencies and functions to Louisiana Department of Health
13 A. The following agencies are transferred to and hereafter shall be within the
14 Louisiana Department of Health as provided in R.S. 36:803:
15 * * *
16 (25) The Louisiana Naturopathic Medicine Examining Board (R.S. 37:3731
17 et seq.).
18 * * *
19 Section 2. Chapter 62 of Title 37 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950,
20 comprised of R.S. 37:3731 through 3744, is hereby enacted to read as follows:
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1 CHAPTER 62. NATUROPATHIC DOCTORS
2 §3731. Short title
3 This Chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Louisiana Naturopathic
4 Doctor's Practice Act".
5 §3732. Definitions
6 For the purposes of this Chapter, the following terms have the meanings
7 ascribed to them in this Section:
8 (1) "Biological product" means any of the following that is applicable to the
9 prevention, treatment, or cure of a disease or condition of human beings:
10 (a) A virus.
11 (b) A therapeutic serum.
12 (c) A toxin.
13 (d) An antitoxin.
14 (e) A vaccine.
15 (f) Blood.
16 (g) A blood component or derivative.
17 (h) An allergenic product.
18 (i) A protein.
19 (j) A product that is analogous to any of the products listed in Subparagraphs
20 (a) through (i) of this Paragraph.
21 (2) "Board" means the Louisiana Naturopathic Medicine Board.
22 (3) "Clinical laboratory procedure" means any of the following when
23 performed for diagnostic purposes:
24 (a) The ordering, performing, and interpretation of laboratory examinations
25 consistent with the practice of naturopathic medicine.
26 (b) Recording of a patient's health history and the performance of physical
27 examinations, including speculum examinations and the examination of body
28 orifices.
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1 (c) Ordering and interpretation of diagnostic imaging studies and commonly
2 used diagnostic modalities, including but not limited to x-ray, ultrasound,
3 mammogram, bone densitometry, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance
4 imaging.
5 (d) Obtaining samples of human tissues and fluids if surgical excision is
6 limited to what is authorized as a minor office procedure.
7 (e) Clinical laboratory procedures does not include endoscopies,
8 colonoscopies, or any surgical excision beyond the definition of a minor office
9 procedure.
10 (4)(a) "Compounding" means the combining of components into a
11 compounded preparation in either of the following conditions:
12 (i) As the result of a practitioner's prescription drug order or initiative based
13 on the practitioner-patient-pharmacist relationship in the course of professional
14 practice to meet the specialized medical need of an individual patient of the
15 practitioner that cannot be filled by a drug approved by the United States Food and
16 Drug Administration.
17 (ii) For the purpose of, or incidental to, research, teaching, or chemical
18 analysis and not for sale or dispensing.
19 (b) Compounding includes the preparation of drugs, nutrients, or devices in
20 anticipation of receiving prescriptive drug orders based on routine, regularly
21 observed prescribing patterns.
22 (c) Compounding does not include reconstituting any mixed drug according
23 to the United States Food and Drug Administration-approved labeling of the drug.
24 (5) "Controlled substance" means a controlled dangerous substance
25 enumerated in Schedules I through V in accordance with R.S. 40:961 et seq. with the
26 exclusion of testosterone.
27 (6) "Device" means an instrument, apparatus, implement, machine,
28 contrivance, implant, in vitro reagent, or other similar or related article, including a
29 component part or accessory that is any of the following:
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1 (a) Recognized in the official national formulary, or the United States
2 pharmacopoeia, or any supplement thereof.
3 (b) Intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions.
4 (c) Used for the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in
5 humans or other animals.
6 (d) Intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of human or
7 other animals.
8 (e) Does not achieve its primary intended purposes through chemical action
9 within or on the body of humans or other animals.
10 (f) Not dependent upon being metabolized for the achievement of any of its
11 primary intended purposes.
12 (7) "Dispense" or "dispensing" means to deliver prescription medication to
13 the ultimate user or research subject to or pursuant to the lawful order of a
14 practitioner or pursuant to the prescription of mid-level practitioner, including but
15 not limited to delivering prescription medication to a patient by mail, common
16 carrier, personal delivery, or third-party delivery to any location requested by the
17 patient.
18 (8) "Drug" means any of the following:
19 (a) Any substance recognized as a drug in the official compendium, or
20 supplement thereto, designated by the board for use in the diagnosis, cure,
21 mitigation, treatment, or prevention of diseases in humans or other animals.
22 (b) Any substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation,
23 treatment, or prevention of disease in humans or other animals.
24 (c) Any substance other than food intended to affect the structure or any
25 function of the body of humans or other animals.
26 (9) "Legend drug" means any drug or drug product bearing on the label of
27 the manufacturer or distributor, as required by the United States Food and Drug
28 Administration, the statement "Caution: Federal law prohibits dispensing without
29 prescription".
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1 (10) "Licensee" means a naturopathic doctor licensed by the board in
2 accordance with this Chapter.
3 (11)(a) "Minor office procedure" means limited surgical or procedural care
4 performed in an outpatient clinical setting that satisfies all of the following:
5 (i) Is confined to superficial tissues and does not involve deeper structures
6 such as muscles, tendons, nerves, arteries, veins, or internal organs.
7 (ii) Can be safely performed using local or topical anesthesia only.
8 (iii) Is commonly performed in an office or outpatient setting and does not
9 require general anesthesia, sedation requiring anesthetic monitoring, or hospital-level
10 care.
11 (b) Minor office procedures may include procedures incidental to the
12 treatment of superficial wounds, lesions, abrasions, or similar conditions.
13 (c) Minor office procedures shall be performed only when the procedure is
14 consistent with the education, training, and demonstrated competency of the
15 naturopathic doctor.
16 (12) "Naturopathic medicine" means a system of health care for the
17 prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human health conditions, injury, and disease;
18 the promotion or restoration of health; and the support and stimulation of a patient's
19 inherent self-healing processes through patient education and the use of naturopathic
20 therapies and therapeutic substances.
21 (13) "Naturopathic physical medicine" means the use of physical agents
22 consistent with naturopathic medical practice, by hand or mechanical means,
23 including air, water, heat, cold, sound, light, electromagnetism, colon hydrotherapy,
24 soft tissue therapy, joint mobilization, therapeutic exercise, craniosacral therapy, and
25 naturopathic manipulation as further defined by board rule.
26 (14) "Naturopathic therapy" means, including but not limited to the use of
27 naturopathic physical medicine, suggestion, hygiene, a therapeutic substance, a drug,
28 nutrition and food science, homeopathic medicine, a clinical laboratory procedure,
29 or a minor office procedure.
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1 (15) "Nutrition and food science" means the prevention and treatment of
2 disease or other human conditions through the use of food, water, herbs, roots, bark,
3 or natural food elements.
4 (16) "Prescription" means an order from a practitioner authorized by law to
5 prescribe for a drug or device that is patient-specific and communicated by any
6 means to a pharmacist in a permitted pharmacy.
7 (17) "Suggestion" means a technique using any of the following:
8 (a) Biofeedback.
9 (b) Quantitative electroencephalography.
10 (c) Neurofeedback.
11 (d) Health education.
12 (e) Health counseling.
13 (18)(a) "Therapeutic substance" means a natural or pharmaceutical substance
14 used in the practice of naturopathic medicine for the prevention, diagnosis, or
15 treatment of disease or the promotion or restoration of health. Therapeutic
16 substances include but are not limited to all of the following:
17 (i) A vitamin.
18 (ii) A mineral.
19 (iii) A nutriceutical.
20 (iv) A botanical medicine.
21 (v) Oxygen.
22 (vi) Hyperbaric oxygen therapy or HBOT or Mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy
23 or mHBOT.
24 (vii) Ozone.
25 (viii) Homeopathic medicine.
26 (ix) Hormone or contraceptive device.
27 (x) A drug.
28 (xi) Peptide.
29 (xii) Other physiologic substances.
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1 (b) The use of therapeutic substances are limited to those consistent with the
2 education and training of the naturopathic doctor.
3 §3733. The Louisiana Naturopathic Medicine Examining Board
4 A. The Louisiana Naturopathic Medicine Examining Board is hereby
5 established within the Louisiana Department of Health.
6 B. The board consists of the following members:
7 (1) Four members who are naturopathic doctors from a list of qualified
8 candidates submitted by the Louisiana Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
9 (2) One member who is a consumer selected by the governor.
10 C.(1) The governor shall appoint the members of the board subject to Senate
11 confirmation.
12 (2) Each board member who is a naturopathic medical doctor member shall
13 have at least two years of experience in the practice of naturopathic medicine and
14 shall be eligible to become licensed in accordance with this Chapter.
15 (3)(a) The consumer member shall represent consumer interests through
16 experience in public service, community advocacy, law, or ethics.
17 (b) The consumer member is ineligible to serve on the board if any of the
18 following is true:
19 (i) He has a financial interest in the practice of naturopathic medicine.
20 (ii) He is the spouse or child of a person practicing naturopathic medicine.
21 (iii) He is licensed or practicing any healthcare profession.
22 D.(1) A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum.
23 (2) All members of the board shall serve terms of three years, except for
24 initial terms beginning on the effective date of this Chapter and determined by lot at
25 the first meeting of the board as follows:
26 (a) One member shall serve until July 1, 2028.
27 (b) Two members shall serve until July 1, 2029.
28 (c) Two members shall serve until July 1, 2030.
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1 (3) All members of the board shall serve no more than three consecutive
2 terms.
3 E. The board may, by a majority vote, remove a member of the board for
4 good cause prior to the expiration of the member's term. In the event of death,
5 resignation, or removal of any board member before the expiration of the term to
6 which the member was appointed, the vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired
7 portion of the term in the same manner as the original appointment.
8 F. The board shall elect a chairperson by a majority vote of the board.
9 G. The board shall hold a minimum of two meetings per year.
10 H. The board may appoint such committees as it considers necessary to
11 carry out its duties.
12 §3734. Duties and functions of the board
13 A. The board is the exclusive authority in the state to issue a license to
14 practice naturopathic medicine. The board shall establish procedures for licensing
15 qualified naturopathic doctors.
16 B. The board has the authority to grant, deny, approve, revoke, suspend, or
17 renew a license to practice naturopathic medicine.
18 C. The board shall establish procedures for approving naturopathic medicine
19 educational programs and professional competency examinations to ensure licensees
20 are qualified to practice naturopathic medicine.
21 D. The board shall establish standards for continuing education and shall
22 ensure that licensees meet continuing education requirements prior to renewing a
23 license to practice naturopathic medicine.
24 E. The board shall establish ethical and professional standards for the
25 practice of naturopathic medicine.
26 F. The board shall have the duty to govern the practice of naturopathic
27 medicine and accept complaints, conduct investigations, and engage in the discipline
28 of licensees.
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1 H. The board shall develop polices and procedures to provide for the
2 dissemination of information about licensees and lawful practice.
3 I. The board shall establish the scope of practice authorized by a license to
4 practice naturopathic medicine in accordance with this Chapter and establish
5 procedures for the practice of minor procedures and the authority of licensees to
6 prescribe controlled substances.
7 J. The board shall develop standards for the supervision of students and other
8 healthcare professionals.
9 K. The board shall develop standards for advertising by its licensees.
10 L. The board may employ an executive director, legal counsel, and hearing
11 officer as needed to administer the provisions of this Chapter.
12 M. The board shall promulgate and adopt rules in accordance with the
13 Administrative Procedure Act to implement the provisions of this Section.
14 §3735. Scope of practice
15 A. A licensee may practice naturopathic medicine within naturopathic
16 medical education, training, and rules adopted by the board including all of the
17 following:
18 (1) Performing physical examinations including speculum examinations and
19 the examination of body orifices.
20 (2) Ordering laboratory examinations and diagnostic imaging studies.
21 (3) Interpreting laboratory examinations for diagnostic purposes.
22 (4) Ordering diagnostic imaging studies and taking action based on a
23 radiologist's report in a manner consistent with naturopathic training.
24 (a) Prescribing, administering, dispensing, and ordering drugs as authorized
25 by this Chapter.
26 (b) A licensee may prescribe, administer, dispense, and order therapeutic
27 substances in accordance with this Chapter and board rule.
28 (c) After meeting requirements established by the board, including any
29 pharmacology or pharmacy-related examination requirement, a licensee may
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1 prescribe and order any controlled substances, excluding controlled dangerous
2 substances listed in Schedule II of R.S. 40:964, in accordance with federal and state
3 law.
4 (d) A licensee may prescribe, recommend, or administer a therapeutic
5 substance including all of the following:
6 (i) Food, food extracts, nutraceuticals, vitamins, minerals, amino acids,
7 enzymes, whole gland thyroid, botanicals, homeopathic preparations, plant
8 substances, dietary supplements, and nonprescriptive drugs.
9 (ii) Human cellular and tissue-based products that are not regulated as drugs.
10 (iii) Healthcare and nutritional counseling, including fertility counseling.
11 (iv) Dietary therapy, naturopathic physical applications, and barrier
12 contraceptive devices.
13 (v) Substances authorized for intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular,
14 intravenous, ligamentous, tendinous, periarticular, intra-vaginal, rectal, or
15 intra-articular administration, including proliferative therapy.
16 (vi) Biofeedback and neurofeedback therapies.
17 (vii) Frequency-based therapies including but not limited to RIFE,
18 light-based, and soundwave modalities.
19 (viii) HBOT and mHBOT.
20 (ix) Durable medical equipment and devices.
21 (e) A licensee may administer intramuscular, intravenous, subcutaneous,
22 intra-articular, and intradermal injections of substances appropriate to naturopathic
23 medicine and within the licensee's education and training.
24 (f) A licensee may utilize routes of administration including oral, nasal,
25 topical, auricular, ocular, rectal, vaginal, intra-articular, intramuscular, transdermal,
26 intradermal, subcutaneous, ligamentous, tendinous, and intravenous routes, including
27 proliferative therapy, consistent with education, training, and board rule.
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1 (g) Prescribing, dispensing, and compounding authority exercised pursuant
2 to this Chapter shall be subject to all applicable provisions of state and federal law
3 including oversight by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.
4 (7) The use of non-diagnostic ultrasound shall not include the interpretation
5 of diagnostic imaging studies.
6 (8) A licensee may provide naturopathic care to a pregnant patient, including
7 comprehensive prenatal care, wellness care, education, nutritional support, and labor
8 support services consistent with the licensee's education and training.
9 (9) A licensee may provide non-medical labor support and adjunctive
10 therapeutic care during labor and childbirth, if the licensee does not independently
11 manage labor, perform delivery, or provide services reserved to licensed midwives
12 or physicians.
13 (10) A licensee may perform minor office procedures as defined by this
14 Chapter subject to additional training or examination requirements adopted by rule.
15 §3736. Requirements for licensure
16 A. A person shall not engage or attempt to engage in the practice of
17 naturopathic medicine in this state if he is not licensed in accordance with the
18 provisions of this Chapter.
19 B. A license issued by the board is valid for two years from the date of
20 issuance.
21 C. The board shall require an applicant for licensure to submit all of the
22 following:
23 (1) An application provided by the board.
24 (2) An application fee and any other fees required by the board.
25 (3) Evidence of graduation from an approved naturopathic medical
26 educational program in accordance with this Chapter.
27 (4) Evidence of passing of a competency-based national naturopathic
28 medicine licensing examination administered by the North American Board of
29 Naturopathic Examiners, or an equivalent agency recognized by the board.
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1 C. If the board determines that an applicant is eligible to be licensed in
2 accordance with this Chapter and determines that the applicant is physically and
3 mentally capable of safely practicing naturopathic medicine, the board shall issue the
4 applicant a license to practice naturopathic medicine.
5 D. The board shall renew a license to practice naturopathic medicine if the
6 licensee completes all of the following:
7 (1) Submits a renewal application provided by the board.
8 (2) Pays the renewal fee and any other fees required by the board.
9 (3) Meets continuing education requirements established by the board.
10 (4) Remains in good standing in accordance with this Chapter and board
11 rules.
12 E. The board may deny, suspend, revoke, or otherwise discipline a license
13 in accordance with this Chapter and board rules.
14 §3737. Educational qualifications; professional competency examination
15 A. An applicant seeking a license to practice naturopathic medicine shall, at
16 a minimum, have graduated from either of the following:
17 (1) A naturopathic medical education program in the United States providing
18 the degree of Doctor of Naturopathy or Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, which
19 offers graduate-level, full-time didactic and supervised clinical training and is
20 accredited or has achieved candidacy status for accreditation by the Council on
21 Naturopathic Medical Education or an equivalent federally recognized accrediting
22 body for naturopathic medical programs. A naturopathic medical program shall be
23 an institution of higher education or part of an institution of higher education that is
24 either accredited or is a candidate for accreditation by a regional or national
25 institutional accrediting agency recognized by the United States secretary of
26 education.
27 (2) A diploma granting, degree equivalent institution of higher education
28 located in Canada that has provincial approval for participation in government
29 funded student aid programs, offers graduate level, full-time didactic and supervised
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1 clinical training, and is accredited or has achieved candidacy status for accreditation
2 by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education or an equivalent federally
3 recognized accrediting body for naturopathic medical programs recognized by the
4 board.
5 B. The board shall require an applicant to provide proof that he has passed
6 a competency-based national naturopathic medicine licensing examination
7 administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners or an
8 equivalent agency recognized by the board.
9 §3738. Fees
10 A. The board shall fix and collect fees that do not exceed the following
11 amounts for each type of fee and are not refundable:
12 (1) Application and initial license $500.00
13 (2) Temporary or provisional license $300.00
14 (3) License renewal $400.00
15 (4) License verification $100.00
16 (5) Duplicate license $100.00
17 (6) Document certification $ 25.00
18 (7) Issuance of a subpoena $ 50.00
19 (8) Probation monitoring $400.00
20 (9) Delinquent fee, in addition to the renewal fee,
21 if not renewed by December 31 of
22 the applicable license period $250.00
23 B. The board may assess additional fees in conjunction with license renewal
24 for programs authorized in accordance with this Chapter including but not limited
25 to professional health monitoring programs or continuing education administration.
26 C. The board shall not establish or collect any fee in excess of the maximum
27 amounts provided in this Section unless the increase is authorized by an act of the
28 legislature.
29 §3739. Display of qualifications
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1 A licensee shall display the license issued in accordance with this Chapter
2 conspicuously at the principal place of practice and shall make available evidence
3 of completion of an approved naturopathic medical educational program and passage
4 of an approved professional competency examination.
5 §3740. Prescriptive authority; requirements
6 A. A licensee may prescribe and order drugs, including but not limited to
7 controlled dangerous substances, except a licensee shall not prescribe a drug listed
8 on Schedule II of the schedules of controlled dangerous substances provided in R.S.
9 40:964, including an opioid or opioid derivative.
10 B. A licensee may administer legend drugs and other medication utilizing
11 routes of administration including but not limited to oral, nasal, topical, auricular,
12 ocular, rectal, vaginal, intra-articular, intramuscular, transdermal, intradermal,
13 subcutaneous, ligamentous, tendinous, and intravenous, including proliferative
14 therapy, consistent within the licensee's scope of practice, education, and training.
15 C. The board shall require a licensee to do all of the following:
16 (1) Record each prescription order in writing which may include
17 electronically recorded and transmitted communication. Each order shall include the
18 name, address, and telephone number of the naturopathic doctor.
19 (2) Prescribe only when the naturopathic doctor has adequate education,
20 training, and experience to safely manage the medical regimen.
21 (3) Register with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration to
22 prescribe controlled substances authorized by this Chapter.
23 (4) Comply with requirements of state and federal law and rules developed
24 by the board relative to prescribing pharmaceutical drugs.
25 §3741. Referrals to other providers
26 A licensee shall refer a patient to a physician or other licensed healthcare
27 provider authorized to practice in this state if the patient's condition is beyond the
28 licensee's scope of practice or requires a level of care not authorized by this Chapter.
29 §3742. Prohibitions; exceptions
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1 A. A licensee shall not engage in any of the following:
2 (1) Providing care outside of family practice or primary care as defined by
3 the board.
4 (2) Practicing or claiming to practice as a medical doctor, osteopathic
5 physician, dentist, podiatrist, or any other healthcare professional unless also
6 licensed as such in this state.
7 (3) Performing surgery outside the scope of minor office procedures.
8 (4) Using general or spinal anesthesia.
9 (5) Administering ionizing radioactive substances for therapeutic purposes.
10 (6) Administering, conducting, or interpreting the results of diagnostic
11 imaging studies except as authorized by the board.
12 (7) Performing labor, delivery, or any procedure involving the reproductive
13 organs of a pregnant patient, or performing operative or invasive obstetrical
14 procedures.
15 (8) Prescribing, dispensing, or administering controlled dangerous
16 substances, except as specifically authorized in accordance with this Chapter.
17 (9) Performing a surgical procedure using a laser device.
18 (10) Performing surgical procedures involving the eye, ear, tendon, nerves,
19 veins, or arteries beyond superficial tissue.
20 B. Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to prohibit or restrict any of the
21 following:
22 (1) The lawful practice of a profession by an individual licensed, certified,
23 or registered in accordance with state law while acting within his scope of practice.
24 (2) The practice of naturopathic medicine by a student enrolled in an
25 approved naturopathic medical educational program, when performed pursuant to
26 instruction and under the supervision of a licensee or other duly licensed professional
27 in the instructed field.
28 (3) Any person selling vitamins, herbs, supplements, or wellness products
29 from providing general information about such products.
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1 (4) A practitioner licensed in another jurisdiction from entering this state to
2 consult with a licensee, limited to consultation, examination, recommendation, or
3 testimony in litigation.
4 C.(1) Traditional naturopaths, herbalists, life coaches, nutrition coaches, and
5 other natural healers who are not licensed in accordance with this Chapter shall not
6 be prohibited from providing non-medical wellness services, education, coaching,
7 nutritional guidance, homeopathy, herbal remedies, or other therapies within their
8 scope of training and practice, if that a person does not do any of the following:
9 (a) Use a protected licensee title prohibited by this Chapter.
10 (b) Represent or assume the character or appearance of a licensee.
11 (c) Use a name, title, credential, abbreviation, or designation that indicates
12 or implies state licensure as a naturopathic doctor.
13 (2) A person not licensed in accordance with this Chapter shall use the terms
14 "traditional naturopath" or "naturopath" if the person complies with the disclosure
15 requirements of this Chapter and does not imply licensure as a naturopathic doctor.
16 §3743. Protected titles for licensed naturopathic doctors
17 A. A licensee shall use the title "Naturopathic Medical Doctor" or
18 "Naturopathic Doctor" and may use the abbreviations "N.D.", "ND", "NMD", or
19 "N.M.D.".
20 B. A licensee has the exclusive right to use any of the following terms:
21 (1) "Naturopathic doctor".
22 (2) "Doctor of naturopathic medicine".
23 (3) "Doctor of naturopathy".
24 (4) "N.D.", "ND", "NMD", or "N.M.D.".
25 (5) "Naturopathic physician".
26 C. A person represents himself as a naturopathic doctor when he uses or
27 adopts any of the terms provided for in this Section or otherwise represents being
28 licensed in accordance with this Chapter.
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1 D. A person who is not licensed in accordance with this Chapter and who
2 uses the term "traditional naturopath" or "naturopath" in advertising, a business
3 name, a website, marketing materials, social media, client paperwork, or signage
4 shall clearly and conspicuously disclose the education level and credential basis
5 including the highest relevant degree or credential and the granting institution or
6 program type.
7 E. The disclosures required by Subsection D of this Section shall be clearly
8 visible in all of the following locations:
9 (1) On the person's website homepage or main page.
10 (2) On any business profile or main marketing website where the title is
11 used.
12 (3) On client intake or service description materials where the title is used.
13 (4) In print, digital, and social media advertising where the title is used.
14 F. A person described in Subsection E of this Section shall not use "doctor,"
15 "physician," "N.D.", "NMD," "N.M.D.", "Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine," or
16 similar terms implying licensure under this Chapter unless licensed.
17 G. The board shall adopt rules defining minimum formatting standards for
18 conspicuous disclosure.
19 §3744. Independent practice of naturopathic medicine
20 The practice of naturopathic medicine authorized by this Chapter does not
21 require physician oversight, supervisory agreements, or collaboration as a condition
22 of licensure or lawful practice.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 1093 Original 2026 Regular Session Carlson
Abstract: Establishes standards and oversight of the practice of naturopathic medicine.
Proposed law establishes the Louisiana Naturopathic Medicine Examining Board within the
La. Dept. of Health.
Page 17 of 19
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-1203 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1093
Proposed law provides that the board consists of four naturopathic doctors and one consumer
member. Proposed law requires gubernatorial appointment of board members subject to
Senate confirmation.
Proposed law requires naturopathic doctor members to have at least two years of practice
experience and be eligible for licensure. Proposed law establishes qualifications and
restrictions for the consumer member to ensure independence from the profession. Proposed
law provides for three-year board member terms, staggered initial terms, and a limit of three
consecutive terms.
Proposed law authorizes removal of board members for cause and provides for filling
vacancies.
Proposed law requires the board to elect a chairperson and meet at least twice annually.
Proposed law authorizes the board to create committees as necessary to achieve the duties
of the board.
Proposed law designates the board as the exclusive licensing authority for naturopathic
medicine in the state. Proposed law authorizes the board to issue, deny, suspend, revoke,
and renew licenses.
Proposed law requires the board to approve educational programs, examinations, and
establish continuing education requirements. Proposed law requires the board to establish
ethical, professional, and practice standards and to enforce discipline.
Proposed law requires the board to define the scope of practice, prescribing authority, and
supervision standards. Proposed law authorizes the board to adopt rules, employ staff, and
disseminate information.
Proposed law authorizes licensed naturopathic doctors to perform examinations, order and
interpret tests, and provide a range of therapeutic treatments.
Proposed law authorizes prescribing, administering, and dispensing of drugs and therapeutic
substances, excluding Schedule II controlled substances.
Proposed law authorizes certain procedures, injections, and non-surgical minor office
procedures consistent with training. Proposed law authorizes limited prenatal care and labor
support but prohibits delivery or obstetrical procedures.
Proposed law requires licensure to practice naturopathic medicine and establishes a two-year
license term.
Proposed law establishes licensure requirements including an application, fees, proof of
accredited education, and passage of a national competency exam.
Proposed law requires the board to issue licenses to qualified applicants and to establish
renewal requirements.
Proposed law establishes educational standards for accredited naturopathic medical
programs in the United States and Canada.
Proposed law requires the passage of a national licensing examination.
Proposed law authorizes the board to set and collect fees within specified maximum
amounts. Proposed law prohibits fees exceeding statutory caps without legislative approval.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-1203 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1093
Proposed law requires licensees to display their license and credentials at their place of
practice.
Proposed law authorizes prescriptive authority, excluding Schedule II controlled substances,
and requires compliance with state and federal law. Proposed law requires licensees to meet
documentation, training, and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration registration
requirements for prescribing.
Proposed law requires referral to other healthcare providers when a patient's needs exceed
the scope of practice.
Proposed law establishes prohibitions on certain practices, including major surgery, use of
anesthesia, and practicing outside of the scope education or training.
Proposed law preserves the authority of other licensed professionals and allows supervised
student practice.
Proposed law permits unlicensed individuals to provide non-medical wellness services with
restrictions on representation and title usage.
Proposed law establishes protected titles for licensed naturopathic doctors and restricts use
by unlicensed individuals.
Proposed law requires clear disclosure by unlicensed individuals using naturopath-related
titles and authorizes the board to set disclosure standards.
Proposed law provides for independent practice of naturopathic medicine without physician
supervision or collaboration.
(Adds R.S. 36:259(A)(25) and R.S. 37:3731-3744)
Page 19 of 19
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.