What language can licensed naturopathic physicians use when describing or marketing their services, and what titles can they use?
“Naturopathic physicians” are governed by naturopathic medical licensing laws in 13 U.S. states. These laws typically provide two different sets of definitions: a) The types of modalities these practitioners are permitted to offer to the clients (also known as their “scope of practice.”) b) The titles that practitioners are permitted to use (i.e., “Doctor of Naturopathy,” “Naturopathic Medical Doctor,” Naturopathic Physician,” etc.) When trying to pass these types of laws, “naturopathic physicians” will often present them as bills that will only govern the practice of “naturopathic medicine.” In reality, however, the proposed laws almost always also impose restrictions on the scope of practice and titles available to non-licensed naturopathic practitioners. Thus, the self-serving laws put forth by these naturopathic physicians who constitute a small percentage of natural health practitioners nonetheless restrict traditional naturopaths.
