SB 470 — Naturopathic Medicine

Summary

Naturopathic Medicine; Redesignating the title of ch. 462, F.S., from “Naturopathy” to “Naturopathic Medicine”; creating the Board of Naturopathic Medicine within the Department of Health; providing for licensure by examination of naturopathic physicians; providing financial responsibility requirements as a condition of licensure for naturopathic physicians; providing that patients are responsible for advising treating health care practitioners about any legend drug, nutrient, or natural medicinal substance that a naturopathic physician has prescribed or recommended to the patient, etc.

Bill Text

• Introduced S 470 Filed Current pdf

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill redesignates the title of the chapter on naturopathy and creates a comprehensive regulatory framework for the practice of naturopathic medicine in Florida.

• Chapter 462, Florida Statutes

  Naturopathy → Naturopathic Medicine

  Renames the chapter from Naturopathy to Naturopathic Medicine, updating the terminology used in state law.

• 462.001, Florida Statutes

  462.001 Legislative findings; purpose.— (1) The Legislature finds that a significant number of this state’s residents choose naturopathic medicine for their health care needs, and the Legislature acknowledges that naturopathic medicine is a distinct health care profession that affects the public health, safety, and welfare and contributes to freedom of choice in health care. (2) The purpose of this chapter is to provide standards for the licensing and regulation of naturopathic physicians in order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare; to ensure that naturopathic health care provided by qualified naturopathic physicians is available to residents of this state; and to provide a means of identifying qualified naturopathic physicians.

  Establishes legislative findings and purpose for the regulation of naturopathic medicine.

• 462.002, Florida Statutes

  462.002 Exceptions.— (1) This chapter does not apply to: (a) Other duly licensed health care practitioners acting within their respective scopes of practice, as authorized by statute. (b) Students practicing under the direct supervision of a licensed naturopathic physician as part of a preceptorship program while enrolled in a college or university program that is accredited by, or has candidacy status with, the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education or an equivalent accrediting body for the naturopathic medical profession which is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the board. (c) Naturopathic residents practicing under the direct supervision of a licensed naturopathic physician at a residency site recognized by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education or by an equivalent accrediting body for the naturopathic medical profession which is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the board. (d) The practice of the religious tenets of any church in this state. (e) The domestic administration of recognized family remedies.

  Defines exceptions to the applicability of the naturopathic medicine regulations.

• 462.004, Florida Statutes

  462.004 Board of Naturopathic Medicine.— Creates the Board of Naturopathic Medicine within the Department of Health.

  Establishes a governing board for the regulation of naturopathic medicine.

• 462.006, Florida Statutes

  462.006 Unlicensed practice.—Prohibits certain unlicensed persons from practicing naturopathic medicine or promoting, identifying, or describing themselves using specified titles or abbreviations.

  Prohibits unlicensed individuals from practicing or misrepresenting themselves as naturopathic medical professionals.

• 462.007, Florida Statutes

  462.007 Licensure by examination.— Provides for licensure by examination of naturopathic physicians; requires the department and the board to use an investigative process that ensures applicants meet the applicable criteria.

  Establishes a licensure process for naturopathic physicians, ensuring that applicants meet specified criteria.

• 462.008, Florida Statutes

  462.008 Licensure by endorsement.— Provides for licensure by endorsement of naturopathic physicians.

  Allows for a streamlined licensure process for qualified naturopathic physicians coming from other jurisdictions.

• 462.018, Florida Statutes

  462.018 Specialist certification.— Prohibits licensed naturopathic physicians from holding themselves out as board-certified specialists unless certified by the board regulating such specialty.

  Ensures that only certified specialists can advertise themselves as such within the field of naturopathic medicine.

• 462.024, Florida Statutes

  462.024 Patient responsibility.— Provides that patients are responsible for advising treating health care practitioners about any legend drug, nutrient, or natural medicinal substance that a naturopathic physician has prescribed or recommended to the patient.

  Places responsibility on patients to communicate their naturopathic treatments to other health care providers.

• 462.025, Florida Statutes

  462.025 Severability.— Provides for severability of the provisions of the act.

  Ensures that if one provision of the act is found to be invalid, other provisions may still remain in effect.

Action History

1. June 16, 2025

   Died in Health Policy

2. May 03, 2025

   Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration

3. March 04, 2025

   Introduced

4. February 20, 2025

   Referred to Health Policy; Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services; Fiscal Policy

5. February 04, 2025

   Filed

Sponsors

• Darryl Ervin Rouson · Cosponsor
• Ana Maria Rodriguez · Primary

Subjects