Today, 23 U.S. states as well as three jurisdictions - DC, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands - license NDs. Florida licensed Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) until 1958 when the state legislature sunsetted the ND license in a move away from natural medicine and toward pharmaceutical-based medicine. 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.

When the legislature sunsetted the ND license, it stopped issuing new licenses but grandfathered in those NDs in the state who already had a license. The last physician in Florida to hold an ND license was Dr. Robert Geldner, who passed away in 2010. So, Florida last had a licensed ND in 2010.

When the state sunsetted the issuing of new ND licenses in 1958, it left a law on the books which technically left “Naturopathy” illegal – a felony – in Florida.

Because of this law, anyone who uses the term “Naturopathy” is at risk. 

Not only are Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) at risk simply by existing here in Florida, but also traditional Naturopaths who practice freely in every other state - even states where NDs are unlicensed - are not free to practice here in Florida. Even those who use “Naturopathy” in their business name or to simply describe their educational credentials are at risk.

Since 1958, Florida has historically taken a highly punitive stance against anyone claiming to practice - or simply use the word - “Naturopathy.” This has created a very hostile climate, with traditional Naturopaths as well as Naturopathic Doctors in the state living in fear or in the shadows.