Naturopathic medicine licensure.

25LSO-0432
2025
STATE OF WYOMING
25LSO-0432
Introduced
2.0

HOUSE BILL NO. HB0269

Naturopathic medicine licensure.

Sponsored by: Representative(s) McCann, Angelos, Brady, Guggenmos and Lucas and Senator(s) Cooper

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to professions and occupations; amending the Wyoming acupuncture practice act to include naturopathic medicine; amending the powers of the Wyoming board of acupuncture; regulating the practice of naturopathic medicine; providing penalties; requiring rulemaking;

and providing for effective dates.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 33
‑
49
‑
101, 33
‑
49
‑
102(a)(v), (vi) and by creating new paragraphs (x) through (xv), 33
‑
49
‑
103(a) and (b), 33
‑
49
‑
104, 33
‑
49
‑
106(a)(ii) by creating new subparagraphs (D), (E) and (c), 33
‑
49
‑
107(b)(intro), (i), (c)(intro), by creating new subsections (d) through (f) and by amending and renumbering (e) as (g), 33
‑
49
‑
108 by creating new subsections (b) and (c) and by amending and renumbering (b) and (c) as (d) and (e), 33
‑
49
‑
109(a)(intro), (i), (iii) and by creating new paragraphs (v) through (ix), 33
‑
49
‑
111(a)(intro), (i), (iii), (v), (b) and (c) and 33
‑
49
‑
112(b) and (d) are amended to read:

CHAPTER 49
ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE AND NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE ACT

33
‑
49
‑
101.

Short title.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Wyoming Acupuncture Practice
and Naturopathic Medicine
Act".

33
‑
49
‑
102.

Definitions.

(a)

As used in this chapter:

(v)

"Board" means the Wyoming board of acupuncture
and naturopathic medicine
created under this chapter;

(vi)

"License
to practice acupuncture
" means a license to practice acupuncture in this state issued by the board pursuant to this chapter and consistent with the scope of practice a person is qualified to perform as a result of their NCCAOM diplomate status, post graduate training, NADA certificate of training completion or as otherwise authorized by the board;

(x)

"Approved naturopathic medical program" means a naturopathic medical education program in the United States or Canada that provides the degree of doctor of naturopathy or doctor of naturopathic medicine, that includes graduate level, full
‑
time, didactic and supervised clinical training and is either accredited or has achieved candidacy status for accreditation by the nationally recognized accrediting body Council on Naturopathic Medical Education for naturopathic medical programs;

(xi)

"CNME" means the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education or its successor organization that substantially meets the same educational standards as CNME;

(xii)

"License to practice naturopathic medicine" means a license to practice naturopathic medicine consistent with the scope of practice a person is qualified to perform as a result of the person's post graduate education, NABNE exam, experience and continuing competence or as otherwise authorized by the board;

(xiii)

"Licensed naturopathic physician" means a person authorized and licensed to practice naturopathic medicine under this chapter;

(xiv)

"NABNE" means the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners or its successor organization;

(xv)

"Naturopathic medicine" means a system of healthcare for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human health conditions, injury and disease, the promotion of health and the support and stimulation of a patient's inherent self
‑
healing processes through patient education through the use of naturopathic therapies and therapeutic substances.

33
‑
49
‑
103.

Board created; members; appointment; terms; qualification; removal; vacancies.

(a)

The Wyoming board of acupuncture
and naturopathic medicine
is created to implement and administer the provisions of this chapter. The board shall consist of
five (5)
nine (9)
members who are legal residents of Wyoming. The board shall consist of
one (1) member
two (2) members
of the public,
one (1) member who is
two (2) members who are
NCCAOM certified,
two (2) members who have
one (1) member who has
been engaged in the practice of acupuncture for a period of not less than five (5) years immediately preceding appointment to the initial board
, three (3) members who are naturopathic physicians who are graduates of a CNME accredited program and who have passed a NABNE naturopathic licensing examination
and one (1) member who is a health care professional licensed pursuant to this title other than this chapter.

(b)

The governor shall appoint the members of the board. Of the initial members appointed to the board
, two (2)

who are not naturopathic physicians, three (3)
members shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years and three (3) members shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years.
Of the initially appointed naturopathic physician members two (2) shall be appointed for a term of two years and one (1) shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years.
Thereafter, the terms of office shall be four (4) years. Each member shall serve until the member's successor is appointed and qualified. No member shall serve more than two (2) consecutive full terms.

33
‑
49
‑
104.

Board meetings; elections; quorum.

The board shall meet at least once each year and elect a chairman at the first meeting each year. The board may convene at the request of the chairman or as determined by the board for any other meeting as may be deemed necessary to transact its business. Meetings may be carried out via telecommunications.
Three (3)
Five (5)
board members shall constitute a quorum.

33
‑
49
‑
106.

Board responsibilities and duties.

(a)

The board shall:

(ii)

Determine the following standards for licensees:

(D)

Scope of practice;

(E)

Practice standards.

(c)

All fees collected by the board shall be deposited by the state treasurer to the credit of the Wyoming board of acupuncture
and naturopathic medicine
account. Disbursements from the account shall not exceed the monies credited to it. The account shall be used by the board to defray costs incurred in the administration of this chapter.

33
‑
49
‑
107.

Licensure required; components; exemptions; other licensed health care professionals.

(b)

Any license
to practice acupuncture or naturopathic medicine
issued under this chapter shall:

(i)

Be issued in the name of the licensed acupuncturist
or naturopathic physician
;

(c)

The following persons are exempt from this chapter's
licensure
license to practice acupuncture
requirements:

(d)

Beginning January 1, 2026, unless the person is licensed to practice naturopathic medicine under this chapter, no person shall:

(i)

Practice, attempt or offer to practice naturopathic medicine without a valid, unexpired, unrevoked and unsuspended license issued under this chapter;

(ii)

Represent oneself as licensed to practice naturopathic medicine or hold himself out to be a "licensed Naturopathic Physician," "licensed Physician of Naturopathic Medicine," "licensed Naturopathic Doctor," "Naturopathic Doctor," "Naturopath," or "ND";

(iii)

Use any words, abbreviations, figures, configuration of letters including N.D. or N.M.D., titles, signs, cards or devices tending to imply that the person is a licensed naturopathic physician unless the person is licensed.

(e)

The following persons are exempt from this chapter's license to practice naturopathic medicine requirements:

(i)

A naturopathic physician licensed to practice naturopathic medicine in another jurisdiction while teaching, demonstrating or providing naturopathic medicine in connection with teaching or participating in an educational seminar in Wyoming. Any exemption under this paragraph shall not exceed sixty (60) days cumulatively in one (1) calendar year;

(ii)

A naturopathic physician licensed in another jurisdiction who enters this state to provide naturopathic medicine during a natural disaster or a public health emergency, as declared by the governor under W.S. 35
‑
4
‑
115(a)(i);

(iii)

With board approval, a person in training may practice naturopathic medicine provided all services are performed under the direct supervision of a licensed naturopathic physician;

(iv)

A student enrolled in an approved naturopathic medical educational program, provided that the practice of naturopathic medicine by a student is performed pursuant to a course of instruction or an assignment from an instructor and under the supervision of the instructor who is a licensee or a duly licensed professional in the instructed field.

(f)

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit or restrict:

(i)

Any other licensed, certified or registered health care provider in this state from practicing naturopathic medicine within the provider's authorized scope of practice;

(ii)

Any person that sells a vitamin or herb from providing information about the vitamin or herb;

(iii)

Any person who is licensed to practice naturopathic medicine in another jurisdiction and who enters this state to consult with a naturopathic physician of this state, provided that the consultation is limited to examination, recommendation or testimony in litigation; or

(iv)

Any person who is not licensed as a naturopathic physician from recommending ayurvedic medicine, herbal remedies, nutritional advice, homeopathy or other therapy.

(e)
(g)

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit or restrict any other licensed health care provider in this state from practicing acupuncture within their statutory scope of practice. However, no person may represent themselves as an acupuncturist in any manner unless licensed
to practice acupuncture
in accordance with this chapter.

33
‑
49
‑
108.

Application for license; renewal and reinstatement; qualifications; fees; reporting.

(b)

An applicant for licensure to practice naturopathic medicine under this chapter shall:

(i)

Submit a written application verified by oath in a form the board prescribes;

(ii)

Submit proof that the applicant:

(A)

Is a graduate of an approved naturopathic medical program and has successfully passed a competency based national naturopathic physician licensing examination administered by the NABNE or other organization the board approves that is nationally recognized to administer a naturopathic physician licensing examination that represents federal standards of education and training; or

(B)

Was previously licensed or certified in another jurisdiction, provided that when the applicant secured initial licensure or certification, the requirements for licensure or certification met standards that the board determines are substantively comparable to

existing standards and that the license or certificate was not suspended, revoked or otherwise restricted for any reason.

(iii)

Have committed no acts that are grounds for disciplinary action as set forth in W.S. 33
‑
49
‑
111, or if an act has been committed, the board has, at its discretion and after investigation, determined that sufficient restitution has been made;

(iv)

Remit fees as the board specifies;

(v)

Meet any additional requirements that the board may impose by rule.

(c)

An applicant for licensure under this act shall provide the board with fingerprints and other information necessary for a criminal history background check as provided under W.S. 7
‑
19
‑
201.

(b)
(d)

Licenses
to practice acupuncture or naturopathic medicine
shall be renewed or reinstated according to a schedule established by the board pursuant to this chapter. If a licensee fails to renew a license
to practice acupuncture or naturopathic medicine
pursuant to the schedule established by the board, the license shall expire and the licensee shall not practice acupuncture
or naturopathic medicine
in this state.

(c)
(e)

An applicant for licensure or licensee shall report any pending or final administrative or disciplinary actions, or other judgments, as well as the terms of any settlement or other disposition of an action or judgment, against the applicant or licensee involving malpractice or improper practice of acupuncture
or naturopathic medicine
, whether occurring in Wyoming or in any other jurisdiction upon application for licensure, renewal or reinstatement, or not later than thirty (30) days after the licensee becomes aware of such actions or judgments.

33
‑
49
‑
109.

Licensure by endorsement.

(a)

The board may issue a license by endorsement to practice acupuncture
or naturopathic medicine
in Wyoming to an applicant who is licensed to practice acupuncture
or naturopathic medicine
in another state subject to the following:

(i)

The other state shall have substantially equivalent acupuncture
or naturopathic physician
licensure requirements as Wyoming, including similar licensure by endorsement provisions for licensees of this state;

(iii)

The applicant shall not have had a license to practice acupuncture
or naturopathic medicine
suspended or revoked in this state or any other;
and

(v)

The applicant shall complete an application for licensure by endorsement in a form the board prescribes;

(vi)

The applicant shall remit fees as the board specifies;

(vii)

The applicant shall not have committed any acts that are grounds for disciplinary action as set forth in W.S. 33
‑
49
‑
111, or if an act has been committed, the board may, at its discretion and after investigation, determine that sufficient restitution has been made;

(viii)

If required by board rule, the applicant shall have completed to the satisfaction of a majority of board members a personal interview consisting of inquiry and oral response to acupuncture or naturopathic knowledge, personal and professional history and intentions for practicing acupuncture or naturopathic medicine in this state;

(ix)

The applicant shall meet any additional requirements that the board may impose by rule.

33
‑
49
‑
111.

Disciplinary action; suspension and revocation of license; application for reinstatement.

(a)

After any hearing conducted pursuant to W.S. 33
‑
49
‑
110, the board may approve, deny, suspend, revoke or refuse to renew a license
to practice acupuncture or naturopathic medicine
or impose probationary conditions on the license if the licensee or applicant has engaged in unprofessional conduct. For purposes of this section, unprofessional conduct includes any of the following:

(i)

Obtaining a license
to practice acupuncture or naturopathic medicine
by means of fraud, misrepresentation or concealment of material facts;

(iii)

Being convicted of a felony that relates to the practice of acupuncture
or naturopathic medicine
or to the ability to practice acupuncture
or naturopathic medicine
;

(v)

Being negligent in the practice of acupuncture
or naturopathic medicine
;

(b)

An application for reinstatement may be made to the board not earlier than one (1) year after the date of the revocation of the license
to practice acupuncture or naturopathic medicine
. The board may accept or reject an application for reinstatement and may hold a hearing to consider reinstatement. An applicant for reinstatement aggrieved by any final action of the board may appeal to the district court pursuant to the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act.

(c)

Upon receipt from the department of family services of a certified copy of an order from a court to withhold, suspend or otherwise restrict a license
to practice acupuncture or naturopathic medicine
issued by the board, the board shall notify the party named in the court order of the withholding, suspension or restriction of the license in accordance with the terms of the court order. No appeal under the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act shall be allowed for a license withheld, suspended or restricted under this subsection.

33
‑
49
‑
112.

Violations; penalties; proceedings.

(b)

The attorney general, the board, any county or district attorney or any citizen may obtain an injunction in the name of the state of Wyoming upon the relation of a complainant enjoining any person from engaging in the practice of acupuncture
or naturopathic medicine
without a license. The district court of the district in which the offending person resides or the district court of Laramie county has original jurisdiction of any such injunction proceedings. An injunction may be issued without proof of actual damage sustained and upon proof of one (1) or more acts constituting the practice of acupuncture
or naturopathic medicine
without a license.

The standard of proof of any violation of this subsection shall be by a preponderance of the evidence.

(d)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Wyoming Acupuncture Practice
and Naturopathic Medicine
Act shall not apply to persons licensed under title 33, chapter 25 or chapter 26 of the Wyoming statutes.

Section 2.

The Wyoming board of acupuncture and naturopathic medicine shall promulgate all rules necessary to implement this act.

Section 3
.

(a)

Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, this act is effective July 1, 2025.

(b)

Sections 2 and 3 of this act are effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution.

(END)

1
HB0269