The California Board of Naturopathic Medicine convened on September 29, 2025, to discuss various agenda items, focusing on historical context, budgetary updates, and licensing procedures. The meeting began with a reflection on the historical significance of naturopathic medicine, with Dr. Minayoun emphasizing the need to include references to the osteopathic board in the report. Acknowledgment was also given to the late Senator Burton, whose contributions were deemed pivotal for the board's existence.

Dr. Minayoun outlined plans to enhance the report by simplifying the origins of naturopathic medicine and comparing the basic science education across naturopathic, allopathic, and osteopathic disciplines. The board members expressed their anticipation for the revised document, which is expected to incorporate feedback from various stakeholders, including Dr. Davidson and Satara.

The meeting progressed to budgetary discussions, where Dr. Minayoun reported on the completion of data tables and the ongoing collaboration with the budget office to finalize fiscal information. The board noted the absence of details regarding minor office procedures in the current report, which Dr. Minayoun committed to amend.

In the licensing program section, board members raised concerns about the representation of application spikes during legislative efforts. Dr. Minayoun acknowledged the need for clearer data and agreed to include historical references to specific years when application increases occurred. Additionally, the attrition rates of new licensees were discussed, with a proposal to create a table illustrating the renewal rates of first-time licensees.

The board also considered the value of conducting a new survey to gather insights on why some licensees do not renew. While there was consensus on the importance of data, concerns were raised about the potential low response rate from participants.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the board's commitment to refining its reports and enhancing the understanding of naturopathic medicine's evolution and current practices. The next meeting is anticipated to present the updated documents and further address the discussed topics.