HB0269

Establishes licensure requirements for naturopathic medicine practitioners in Wyoming and expands the Wyoming Board of Acupuncture to include oversight of naturopathic medicine.

• Renames and expands the Wyoming Board of Acupuncture to the Wyoming Board of Acupuncture and Naturopathic Medicine, increasing membership from 5 to 9 members including 3 naturopathic physicians, 2 NCCAOM certified members, 2 public members, 1 traditional acupuncture practitioner, and 1 other licensed health care professional. (W.S. 33-49-103(a)(b), W.S. 33-49-104)
• Defines naturopathic medicine as a system of healthcare for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human health conditions through patient education and use of naturopathic therapies, and defines related terms including approved naturopathic medical programs, CNME, NABNE, and licensed naturopathic physicians. (W.S. 33-49-102(a)(x)-(xv))
• Requires beginning January 1, 2026, that persons practicing naturopathic medicine obtain a license from the board and prohibits unlicensed individuals from representing themselves as naturopathic physicians or using related titles and abbreviations including N.D. or N.M.D. (W.S. 33-49-107(d))
• Establishes licensure requirements for naturopathic medicine practitioners, including graduation from a CNME accredited program, passage of a NABNE competency-based national licensing examination, or licensure in another jurisdiction with substantively comparable standards. (W.S. 33-49-108(b))
• Requires applicants for naturopathic medicine licensure to submit criminal history background check information via fingerprints and other information as provided under W.S. 7-19-201. (W.S. 33-49-108(c))
• Exempts from naturopathic medicine licensure requirements certain out-of-state practitioners teaching in Wyoming (limited to 60 days per calendar year), practitioners during declared natural disasters or public health emergencies, supervised trainees with board approval, and students in approved programs. (W.S. 33-49-107(e))
• Permits other licensed health care providers to practice naturopathic medicine within their authorized scope of practice, and allows unlicensed persons to sell vitamins or herbs, provide information about them, or recommend ayurvedic medicine, herbal remedies, nutritional advice, homeopathy or other therapies.