California Naturopathic Board adopts fee increase after rejecting public objections

The California Board of Naturopathic Medicine voted 5-0 on Oct. 4 to adopt staff responses to adverse public comments and to file a final rulemaking package that raises several licensing fees.

Board members said the increases are meant to shore up the board’s fund and avert a projected shortfall. The board’s regulations counsel and budget staff told members that the board’s small licensee population means per-license costs are higher and that the proposed changes — including a $200 increase to the biannual renewal fee from the current $1,000 — are needed to preserve operations.

The board’s regulatory counsel, Christy Shields, explained the process after the board received two public comment submissions. “After the board receives adverse comments, we’re required to bring the comments back to you so you can see them, understand what the issues are,” Shields said. She and staff…