Scope of Practice Statement
As a licensed naturopathic doctor, you are subject to the laws contained in the Naturopathic Doctor’s Act (Act), to the regulations adopted under that Act, and for all laws and regulations affecting your practice of medicine.
The Board is contacted regularly by current and prospective licensees regarding their scope of practice. Be advised that the Board can only point to the Naturopathic Doctors Act and its regulations and cannot give legal advice concerning those laws.
Business and Professions Code sections 3640, et seq. and California Code of Regulations, title 16, sections 4200, et seq. function as your guide to the scope of practice for naturopathic doctors in this state. However, these are not the only laws and regulations that affect your practice. As a licensed health care professional, you are governed by multiple provisions within the Business and Professions Code, Health and Safety Code, Labor Code, Corporations Code, etc., as well as federal and local laws and regulations.
The Board is often asked if the Act and/or the naturopathic regulations allow naturopathic doctors to perform specific procedures; for example, injecting Botox or hyaluronic acid into the face. While the Board can only point a licensee toward the laws contained in the Act and/or the naturopathic regulations, be advised that there may be other laws in other codes that regulate specific procedures, such as the Medical Practices Act which is regulated by the Medical Board of California.
Successful completion of a class does not automatically authorize you to perform that procedure under your California naturopathic license, even though you may perform that same procedure under licensure in another state.
The Board takes no responsibility in providing a licensee with a comprehensive or definitive list of local, state, and/or federal laws and regulations and cannot speak for the Medical Board, Board of Behavioral Sciences, Board of Registered Nursing, Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, etc., and cannot advise licensees on any local, state, or federal law or regulation. It is your responsibility to determine if a procedure can or cannot be performed under your license. Legal advice may be sought from a licensed professional.
Please refer to the following links to review a licensed ND’s scope of practice:
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC§ionNum=3640
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC§ionNum=3640.1
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC§ionNum=3640.5
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC§ionNum=3640.7
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC§ionNum=3640.8
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC§ionNum=3641
The following items are specifically prohibited within the Naturopathic Doctors Act:
Our Board is prohibited from providing legal advice; however, we suggest that licensees apply the above statutes to their practice at all times.
Example: Hormone pellet insertion can be performed by a licensee if done so by the routes of administration outlined within CA BPC §3640 if the incision can be closed with a non-suture closure. If not, then the ND cannot provide the treatment.
If you are in doubt about what your statute and regulatory authorities are, refer to a licensed professional for legal advice.