We did it!

ND Licensure in Wisconsin

ND Licensure in Wisconsin

In February 2022, Wisconsin took a big step forward with the passage of Act 130, which created licensure for Naturopathic Doctors in the state of Wisconsin. Before this law, Wisconsin laws were not in alignment with Department of Education accredited naturopathic medical training and education. Prior to the passage of this law any person could refer to themselves as a Naturopathic Doctor here, and they were not required to have completed an pre-medical studies in undergrad, graduated from a 4 year naturopathic medical school, nor NPLEX board exams for national licensure. 

As of February 1, 2024 licenses for NDs became available. Applications can be submitted here: https://license.wi.gov/s/login/?ec=302&startURL=%2Fs%2F

While people who refer to themselves as Naturopathic Doctors (or NDs) now must be licensed in the state, NDs in Wisconsin still do not currently have the ability to prescribe prescription drugs for their Wisconsin patients. Yet, in many other states they can prescribe, hold DEA licenses, and participate in the Prescription Drug Registries.  

Wisconsin law holds back NDs from prescribing drugs - even when a patient has established care with their ND as their primary care provider (PCP). Prescription drugs are routine in primary care and are included in the rigorous pharmacology training at naturopathic medical schools and routinely prescribed by NDs in other states. 

Naturopathic medicine is a powerful asset to address Wisconsin’s critical health care workforce shortages. Our naturopathic doctors are playing a central, collaborative role in creating health, supporting prevention, and bridging both natural and traditional medical approaches to acute illness and chronic health conditions. 

ACT 130 LICENSURE OVERVIEW

Effective date: The licensure requirements were in effect  March 1, 2024.. All persons providing care for Wisconsin residents must be licensed by March 1, 2024 or by the date they start seeing patients in Wisconsin.  Any person calling themselves a Naturopathic Doctor after March 1, 2024, without a license from the state, may be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 9 months or both. 

The 2021 Wisconsin Act 130 creates regulatory oversight and licensing requirements for the practice of naturopathic medicine, administered by a Naturopathic Medicine Examining Board.

A licensed naturopathic doctor (ND) must have a doctoral degree from a U.S. or Canadian program accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education and meet other professional requirements. The person may use the title ND or naturopathic doctor. A licensed ND may diagnose and treat, order clinical laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging studies, perform minor office procedures, dispense nonprescription drug products, and sign certificates (such as school and sports physicals).

No person may designate himself or herself as a naturopathic doctor or doctor of naturopathic medicine; use or assume the title “naturopathic doctor," “doctor of naturopathic medicine," or “doctor of naturopathy"; use the words “naturopathic medicine” or “naturopathic health care” in connection with his or her practice; append to the person's name the letters “N.D." or “ND"; use any other titles, words, letters, abbreviations, insignia, or designation that would imply that the individual is licensed, certified, or registered as a naturopathic doctor or doctor of naturopathic medicine; or claim to render naturopathic medicine or naturopathic health care services unless the person is licensed under s. 466.04.

This law does not prohibit the practice of lay naturopathy, which does not require a license. A person who is a “traditional” or “lay” naturopath may use the title “naturopath,” and is not subject to any educational requirements for that practice. In addition, the act allows a person to provide information in connection with the sale of vitamins or herbs, or provide advice regarding the use of a therapy, including herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutrition, or other non-drug or nonsurgical therapy, without an ND license.

A person may practice within the scope of other credentialing, such as a registered nurse, acupuncturist, or massage therapist, without an ND license; but they cannot refer to themselves as a Naturopathic Doctor unless they are credentialed and licensed by the state.

PRACTICE

Follow this link to view Chapter 466 related to Naturopathic Doctors. A summary is below. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/466.pdf

The act defines “naturopathic medicine” as a system of primary health care for: (1) the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human health conditions, injury, and disease; (2) the promotion or restoration of health; and (3) the support and stimulation of inherent self-healing processes through patient education and the use of naturopathic therapies and therapeutic substance. 

A licensed ND may do all of the following in the practice of naturopathic medicine:

• Perform a physical examination for diagnostic purposes. 

• A naturopathic doctor may, except as otherwise prohibited by the board by rule, utilize routes of administration that include oral, nasal, auricular, ocular, rectal, vaginal, transdermal, intramuscular, intravenous, intradermal, and subcutaneous, consistent with the education and training of a naturopathic doctor.

• Utilize diagnostic or evaluation methods.

• Dispense, administer, or order any of the following:

• Order or perform clinical laboratory tests.

• Health education and health counseling.

• Nonprescription drug products such as: food, extracts of food, nutraceuticals, vitamins, amino acids, minerals, enzymes, botanical medicines, homeopathic medicines, and dietary supplements.

• Hot or cold hydrotherapy, naturopathic physical medicine, the use of therapeutic medical equipment, and therapeutic exercise.

• Therapeutic devices, barrier contraception, and durable medical equipment.

• Order or perform phlebotomy, diagnostic sonography, or electrocardiography.

• Order diagnostic imaging studies.

• Perform minor office procedures, including repair and care incidental to superficial lacerations, abrasions, and lesions, and the removal of foreign bodies located in the superficial tissues.

• Sign or attest to any certificate, card, form, or other documentation, if within the person’s scope of practice, including a student’s excused absence note for school attendance and pronouncement of time of death for a death certificate.

• Any practice identified by the board, by administrative rule, within the scope of these practices.

The act specifies that the practice of naturopathic medicine is distinct from the practice of medicine and surgery. The act further specifies that an ND may not do any of the following: perform any surgical procedures (other than a minor office procedure); perform surgical procedures involving the eye, ear, tendons, nerves, veins, or arteries that extend beyond superficial tissue; use general or spinal anesthetics; administer ionizing radioactive substances; perform chiropractic or spinal adjustments or other prohibited naturopathic physical medicine; or perform any other practice prohibited by the board by administrative rule

APPLICATION

A licensed ND must meet all of the following educational and competency requirements:

Have a graduate-level degree of doctor of naturopathy or doctor of naturopathic medicine from a U.S. or Canadian program accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education, or an equivalent organization, and meet certain other conditions for an institution of higher education or institution that predates the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education.

• Pass a competency-based national naturopathic licensing examination administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners or successor organization, or other examination approved by the board by administrative rule.

• Pass any other competency or jurisprudence examination required by the board by administrative rule.

• Meet any character and fitness, physical and mental competency, and professional competency requirements, and additional clinical, practical, or residency requirements, established by the board by administrative rule.

EXAMINING BOARD

The Naturopathic Medicine Examining Board (aka Nat Med Board) may interpret and identify the practices described under the act that are included and excluded from the practice of naturopathic medicine. 

Follow this link to see the administrative code created by the Nat Med Board: https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/RulesStatutes/NaturopathicMedicine.aspx

However, the board may not otherwise expand the scope of practice of a licensed ND or licensed limited-scope ND beyond the practice of naturopathic medicine described under the act.

The board membership includes four licensed NDs, one primary care physician who has experience in naturopathic medicine or working with NDs, and two public members.

February 4, 2022

Governor Evers signs ND licensing bill into law!

With unanimous bipartisan support and powerful public support, the Governor signed the ND licensing bill into law. Act 130 moves Naturopathic Medicine forward for Wisconsin!

Allison Becker ND, from the Wisconsin Naturopathic Doctor’s Association legislative team says, “This marks a very exciting day in history for Wisconsin and for the naturopathic profession as a whole. . . Licensure ensures Wisconsin is a state where NDs can practice with confidence as primary care providers and their patients can be assured their ND is medically trained and safe.”

What’s next? To understand the process from passing to practicing, check out our document that explains the steps: click here

January 25, 2022

Senate Bill 532 Passes Senate Floor

Senate Bill 532 passed unanimously out of the Senate today and is now on its way to Governor Evers’ desk to be signed!

This is the last stop before our bill becomes a law. With our bill having unanimous bipartisan support, we are expecting Governor Evers to sign our bill into law!

We couldn’t have done this without our supporters contacting their elected officials, coming to the hearings and the incredible dedication and commitment our champion legislators have to natural health care in Wisconsin. Huge thanks go to Senators Bernier, Ringhand, Felzkowski and Taylor for their support!

January 20, 2022

Assembly Bill 529 Passed the Assembly Floor!

We have 2 steps left in this process to pass licensure for NDs.

1) Pass out of the Senate Floor and

2) Be signed by Governor Evers!

We will need YOU to show support for both of these steps by contacting your Senators and urging them to vote “Yes” sign our bill into law. Sign up for our legislative updates and watch for emails to see how easy this is to do.

January 11, 2022

AB 529 passed out of Assembly Committee on Health

The bill to license Naturopathic Doctors in Wisconsin is moving right along. Thanks to our strong legislative champion in the Assembly, Representative Rodriguez, along with co-sponsorship support, the bill was scheduled for a committee vote and passed!

The next step is to go to the Senate and Assembly floors where we hope the bill will be scheduled for a vote. This is when we’ll need our supporters to contact your legislators and ask for a ‘yes’ vote. Watch your email to find out how you can help.

January 11, 2022

SB 532 passed out of Senate Committee on Insurance, Licensing and Forestry

Our deepest thanks to our strong legislative champion, Senator Bernier, along with Senator Felzkowski’s support. The bill was scheduled for a committee vote and passed!

The next step is to go to the Assembly floor, where we hope the bill will be scheduled for a vote.

January 6, 2022

Assembly Hearing on AB 529 (Amended)

Enormous thanks to Representative Rodriguez for her unwavering dedication to bringing naturopathic medicine to Wisconsin.

Thanks also for the support of our great group of NDs, allied providers, and patients that came to testify in support of the bill.

We also submitted many letters of support, which we are equally grateful for. Again, the room was packed and the Assembly Committee on Health was impressed with the show of support and they really got to hear how important licensure is for Wisconsin and for Wisconsinites!

Our bill continues to move forward, and we anticipate a final vote from the Committee on Health soon! Stay tuned and keep up to date with actions to support our movement by joining our legislative mailing list.

Go here to join our mailing list for legislative updates: Legislative Updates

September 2021

Senate Hearing on SB 532

Thank you to all our strident supporters! We had an incredible show of support at the Senate Hearing.

For those that came in-person THANK YOU! Your stories were moving and a true testament to the power of natural medicine when given to a hard-working patient. For those who came in-person as a show of support, THANK YOU! The room was packed. For those that wrote letters in support, THANK YOU! Your voice was counted and heard.

The bill to license NDs in Wisconsin is moving forward!

If you haven’t joined our list, please go to the Legislative Updates tab and sign up to receive information on the bill to license Naturopathic Doctors.

August 2021

Bill Introduction 2021-2022 Session

The bill to license Naturopathic Doctors in Wisconsin has been officially introduced by our champions, Senator Kathy Bernier and Representative Jessie Rodriguez. The Senate bill has been referred to the Committee on Insurance, Licensing and Forestry.

Senate Bill Number 532
Assembly Bill Number 529

July 2021

Bill Circulation for Co-Sponsorship 2021-2022 Session

The bill to license Naturopathic Doctors in Wisconsin circulated the State Capitol and received solid co-sponsor support. With this much support, it was able to move forward and be officially introduced to the legislature.

Our heartfelt thanks to all of our supporters who wrote letters, made phone calls, sent emails, and shared their personal stories of success using Naturopathic Medicine. We couldn’t have done it without you.