Naturopathic Doctors

The applicant shall complete an online application, inclusive of the following:

1. Be of good moral character.
2. Be at least 21 years old.
3. Pay the application fee.
4. Have a doctorate in naturopathic medicine from an approved naturopathic medical program.
5. Passing the licensing examination, Part I and Part II, administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners or its successor agency.
6. Demonstrate oral and written competency in English as required by the Board.
7. Be physically and mentally capable of safely practicing naturopathic medicine with or without reasonable accommodation.
8. Verification of other state licenses, certifications or registrations to practice naturopathic medicine and any other health profession.
9. Written attestation, which states that the applicant has a collaboration/consultation agreement with a physician licensed in the State.
10. A statement from the applicant listing all disciplinary or adverse actions taken against the applicant by a hospital, related institution, alternative health system, employer, medical board, licensing authority, court or adjudicatory body.
11. Submit to a criminal history records check.

The application process, on average, takes approximately 3 ‐ 6 weeks. However, the process may take longer depending on the individual applicant's circumstance or if the individual does not provide the required documentation in a timely manner.

A collaboration and consultation agreement means an agreement whereby a naturopathic doctor and physician will collaborate and consult regarding a patient's care, but in which the patient does not enter the care of the consulted physician. The consultation does not create a physician-patient relationship and the consulted physician does not direct patient care or engage directly in the care of the patient.

COMAR 10.32.21.08‐Scope of Practice.

Naturopathic medicine is the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human health conditions, injury, and disease using only patient education and naturopathic therapies and their therapeutic substances recognized by the Council of Naturopathic Therapies and Therapeutic Substances recognized by the Council of Naturopathic Medical Education. A naturopathic doctor may not prescribe, dispense, or administer any prescription drug other than those listed on the Maryland Naturopathic Formulary.

Naturopathic medicine includes:

• Counseling
• The practice of mechanical sciences of healing, including mechanotherapy, articular manipulations, corrective and orthopedic gymnastics, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, and phototherapy.
• The practice of material sciences of healing, including nutrition, phytotherapy, treatment by natural substances, and external applications.

An individual licensed to practice naturopathic medicine in this State may not use the title "physician". Titles include: "doctor of naturopathic medicine", "doctor of naturopathy", "naturopathic doctor", "naturopath" or "N.D.".

Because medical foods are considered foods, nothing in the Maryland Naturopathic Medicine Act prohibits medical foods from being dispensed, ordered, or administered by routes approved in Health Occ. §14-5F-14(a)(3) and (4). The Board cannot advise licensees regarding whether the Food and Drug Administration or other Federal statute otherwise prohibits Naturopathic Doctors from dispensing or ordering medical foods. Please consult your own attorney for questions pertaining to Federal law.

No. The Naturopathic Medicine Advisory Committee reviewed the Naturopathic Doctors' statute, Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. §14-5F and determined that rectal insufflation of ozone is not allowed under a Naturopathic Doctor's scope of practice.

An applicant may not be required to provide additional evidence of english proficiency if the applicant holds a valid, unrestricted license, certification, or registration from another state that requires evidence of english proficiency for licensure, certification, or registration.