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About Naturopathic

Senate Bill 907 (Burton; Chapter 485, Statutes of 2003) established the Naturopathic Doctors Act (the Act) and created the Bureau of Naturopathic Medicine (the Bureau) within the Department of Consumer Affairs to administer the Act. The Act sets up criteria for the licensure and regulation of Naturopathic Doctors (NDs), and establishes a scope of practice for the profession.

Naturopathic medicine is one of the oldest continuously licensed health care professions in the country. Its roots lie in German traditions of "Water Cure" or hydrotherapy from the mid-19th century. Naturopathic medicine expanded upon the water cure and herbal therapies and was developed into a comprehensive philosophy and system of health which came to the United States around the turn of the century.

California became the 13th state to recognize naturopathic medicine and provide licensure to naturopathic doctors. The Act, which created the Bureau, was effective January 1, 2004. The first ND license was issued on January 14, 2005.

The Bureau is completely funded by application and licensing fees and its staff is responsible for answering public inquiries, analyzing licensure documents, issuing licenses, responding to correspondence, coordinating legislative, regulatory, and budgetary activities, preparing reports, and administering disciplinary and enforcement activities.