Licensing

With the passing of SB907 in January 2005, the State of California responded to the demands of citizens to provide a new option for primary care by providing for the licensure Naturopathic Doctors (NDs). Already licensed in a number of other states and territories of the US and all Canadian provinces, in some cases for decades, this new form of healthcare is finally available to Californians. Until the passage of SB907, there was no regulation of the term "Naturopathic Doctor" in this state. The law now requires that practitioners using the following designations have graduated from a four-year graduate level, residential naturopathic medical program (more about Naturopathic Medicine here) and have passed rigorous licensing examinations (The NPLEX):
  • Naturopathic Doctor
  • Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
  • Licensed Naturopathic Doctor and
  • Doctor of Naturopathy
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Because, until recently, there was no regulation of the term "Naturopath" in California, there are many alternative health care practitioners using the term that have varying levels of training and are not doctors. In recognition of the fact, the law allows these practitioners to continue to provide non-medical services under the designations:
  • Naturopath
  • Naturopathic Practitioner
  • Traditional Naturopathic Practitioner

Insurance

Since naturopathic doctors are just newly licensed in California, how much insurance coverage will eventually be provided remains to be seen. Upon request, we will provide our patients with a "superbill" that they can submit to their insurance companies for reimbursement. We cannot guarantee insurance coverage, nor do we bill insurance directly.

For more information about Naturopathic Medicine, or to find an ND near you, see the California Naturopathic Doctors Association and the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.