Scope of Practice
Naturopathic physicians (NDs) are trained to provide primary care and/or naturopathic specialty care in outpatient settings. NDs see patients with acute and chronic conditions and employ all standard conventional diagnostic tools including physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging. NDs may utilize additional physical and laboratory procedures to assess nutritional status, metabolic function, and/or toxic load, while considerable time may also be spent assessing mental, emotional, social and spiritual status to assure any treatment plan is comprehensive.
NDs use a variety of therapies to promote health and treat disease including: dietetics, therapeutic nutrition, botanical medicine, physical medicine, naturopathic manipulative therapy, lifestyle counseling, exercise therapy, homeopathy, psychological and family counseling, and hydrotherapy. NDs can perform minor office procedures appropriate to a primary care setting, administer vaccinations, and prescribe most standard drugs when indicated. Like other primary doctors, NDs delegate to nurses and medical assistants and refer to specialists when appropriate.
New ND Scope Rules Implemented!
For more information on naturopathic scope of practice including ND prescriptive authority in Washington State please visit the following links:
- Washington State Law Governing Naturopathic Medicine (RCW18.36A)
- Rules regarding Naturopathic medicine (WAC 246.836)
- Authority to use, prescribe, dispense and order (WAC 246-836-210)
- Washington State Department of Health Naturopathy Program
(RCW is the Revised Code of Washington, or the Laws for Washington State.)
(WAC is the Washington Administrative Code which is the list of rules interpreting the specifics of the law.)
