Today, a growing number of citizens and organizations are calling for the legalization of Naturopathy once again in Florida! This is a bi-partisan movement led by patients in Florida who want the freedom of choice in their health care here in our state.

Over the last 12 months, the FNPA has worked collaboratively with over a dozen state-wide as well as national and international groups to put forward two bills this year: HB 533 and SB 470 in the Florida Legislature. To pass, both of these bills would need to be passed by both the Florida House and Florida Senate before the end of April, and signed into law by the Florida Governor.

These bills would do two things:

1.) Remove the regulation of the term “Naturopathy” in the Florida statute so it is no longer regulated (ie: illegal) in Florida.

This allows people to freely use the term “Naturopathy’ again in our state without fear of persecution. This would allow a traditional Naturopath, certified Naturopath, or Naturopath to freely identify as such again in the state. And it allows these people or others to use the term freely again, such as using “Naturopathy” freely in a business name or on business cards, etc.

2.) Reinstate the license for Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) so they can practice in our state.

This would reinstate the issuing of new ND licenses for the first time since 1958 and restrict regulation to only the terms “Naturopathic Doctor” or “ND” or “NMD.” Other terms related to “Naturopathy” would remain unregulated.

Candidates for a new ND license must graduate from a doctoral program at a naturopathic medical school accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. These criteria are commensurate with the other 26 U.S. jurisdictions which currently license NDs.

Who this bill helps directly:

Anyone wanting to use the term “Naturopathy”: Because this word is illegal, you cannot safely use this word, even in a business name. This law would free this word!

Traditional Naturopaths, Certified Naturopaths, Naturopaths: Today, while naturopathy is illegal, these practitioners cannot practice wellness freely in our state - like they do in every other state. Legalizing Naturopathy will change that. These practitioners hold important wisdom about wellness and would be free to practice wellness under this law, but did not complete education at an accredited medical school and would not be licensed under the bill to practice medicine as a doctor.

Naturopathic Doctors (NDs): Today, Naturopathic Doctors who went to an accredited medical school cannot practice in Florida. This bill would change that by reinstating the license for NDs to practice medicine here.

Patients and all who care about medical freedom: This bill expands care opportunities for patients and expands medical freedom.