SB 385: License and regulate the practice of naturopathic medicine
The bill aims to regulate the practice of naturopathic medicine in Ohio. It requires individuals to hold a current, valid license to practice naturopathic medicine and to use certain titles or designations. The bill also establishes a directory of licensed naturopathic physicians and requires them to keep a record of their proceedings. The state medical board will oversee the licensing and regulation of naturopathic medicine. Violations of the bill's provisions will result in penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The bill repeals existing sections related to naturopathic medicine licensing.
| Mar. 25, 2026 | Referred to committee: Health |
| Mar. 19, 2026 | Introduced |
As Introduced
136th General Assembly
Regular Session
S. B. No. 385
2025-2026
Senator Johnson
To amend sections 109.572, 4731.07, 4731.071, 1 4731.224, 4731.2210, 4731.24, 4731.25, 4731.251, 2 4776.01, and 4776.20 and to enact sections 3 4789.02, 4789.03, 4789.04, 4789.05, 4789.06, 4 4789.07, 4789.08, 4789.09, 4789.10, 4789.11, 5 4789.12, and 4789.99 of the Revised Code to 6 license and regulate the practice of 7 naturopathic medicine. 8
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
That sections 109.572, 4731.07, 4731.071, 4731.224, 4731.2210, 4731.24, 4731.25, 4731.251, 4776.01, and 4776.20 be amended and sections 4789.02, 4789.03, 4789.04, 4789.05, 4789.06, 4789.07, 4789.08, 4789.09, 4789.10, 4789.11, 4789.12, and 4789.99 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:
Sec. 109.572. (A) (1) Upon receipt of a request pursuant to section 121.08, 3301.32, 3301.541, or 3319.39 of the Revised Code, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C) (1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C) (2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:
A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.041, 2903.06, 2903.08, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.05, 2905.11, 2905.32, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.19, 2907.21, 2907.22, 2907.23, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2919.12, 2919.22, 2919.24, 2919.25, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2923.17, 2923.21, 2923.42, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.04, 2925.041, 2925.05, 2925.06, 2925.13, 2925.22, 2925.23, 2925.24, 2925.31, 2925.32, 2925.36, 2925.37, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code, felonious sexual penetration in violation of former section 2907.12 of the Revised Code, a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, a violation of section 2919.23 of the Revised Code that would have been a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, had the violation been committed prior to that date, or a violation of section 2925.11 of the Revised Code that is not a minor drug possession offense;
A violation of an existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (A) (1) (a) of this section;
If the request is made pursuant to section 3319.39 of the Revised Code for an applicant who is a teacher, any offense specified under section 9.79 of the Revised Code or in section 3319.31 of the Revised Code.
(A) The state medical board shall keep a record of its proceedings. The minutes of a meeting of the board shall, on approval by the board, constitute an official record of its proceedings.
(B) The board shall keep a register of applicants for licenses and certificates issued under this chapter; licenses issued under Chapters 4730., 4760., 4762., 4772., and 4778., and 4789.; and licenses and limited permits issued under Chapters 4759. and 4761. of the Revised Code. The register shall show the name of the applicant and whether the applicant was granted or refused the license, certificate, or limited permit being sought.
The state medical board shall develop and publish on its internet web site a directory containing the names of, and business address for, all persons who hold current, valid certificates or licenses issued by the board under this chapter or Chapter 4730., 4759., 4760., 4761., 4762., 4772., 4774., or 4778., or 4789. of the Revised Code. Except as provided in section 4731.10 of the Revised Code, the directory shall be the sole source for verifying that a person holds a current, valid certificate or license issued by the board.
(A) (1) Except as provided in division (A) (2) of this section, no individual shall knowingly practice naturopathic medicine unless the individual holds a current, valid license issued under this chapter.
(2) Division (A) (1) of this section does not apply to any of the following:
An individual authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, or podiatric medicine and surgery;
A physician assistant licensed under Chapter 4730. of the Revised Code;
A registered nurse licensed under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code, including an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under that chapter;
A dietitian licensed under Chapter 4759. of the Revised Code.
(B) No individual shall knowingly represent the individual's self as any of the following unless the individual holds a current, valid license issued under this chapter:
A naturopathic physician;
A naturopathic doctor;
A naturopath;
A doctor of naturopathic medicine or naturopathy;
An "N.D." or "ND";
A practitioner or provider of naturopathic medicine, naturopathic health care, or naturopathy.
Whoever violates division (A) or (B) of section 4789.02 of the Revised Code is guilty of a felony of the fifth degree on a first offense and a felony of the fourth degree on each subsequent offense.
That existing sections 109.572, 4731.07, 4731.071, 4731.224, 4731.2210, 4731.24, 4731.25, 4731.251, 4776.01, and 4776.20 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.
Section 4731.224 of the Revised Code is presented in this act as a composite of the section as amended by both S.B. 95 and S.B. 109 of the 135th General Assembly. The General Assembly, applying the principle stated in division (B) of section 1.52 of the Revised Code that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation, finds that the composite is the resulting version of the section in effect prior to the effective date of the section as presented in this act.
Generated from Ohio Senate Bill 385 - Naturopathic Medicine Licensing