Naturopathic physicians press for licensure in Wyoming; lawmakers request stakeholder working group

Cheyenne — Dozens of naturopathic physicians, medical students and advocates urged the Labor, Health & Social Services Committee on June 24 to create a licensure pathway in Wyoming for graduates of accredited 4‑year naturopathic medical programs. "I am here today to ask you to consider sponsoring a bill for naturopathic physician licensing," Dr. Thea Marks, a Wyoming‑born naturopathic physician, told lawmakers, citing rural access gaps, maternal health needs and mental‑health services as areas where licensed naturopathic physicians could expand care. Speakers across the day — including Dr. Sean Palmer, Dr. Carol Iverson, faculty and students from accredited naturopathic medical schools and practicing NDs — described a four‑year doctoral curriculum, clinical internships and nationally administered board exams. Several presenters emphasized that licensed naturopathic physicians provide integrative primary care, preventive medicine, nutrition counseling, botanical therapies and, in many licensing states, limited minor procedures and non‑opioid injections. Education leaders explained that accredited naturopathic medical schools are Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) programs with more than 4,000 hours of training (about 1,200 clinical hours) and that graduates may pursue additional elective certifications (for example, IV therapy or minor procedures). National university deans described supervisory and examination requirements and urged Wyoming to adopt licensure aligned with established, Department of Education‑recognized programs. Committee members debated the policy details: whether any licensure should be placed under the Wyoming Board of Medicine or under a separate naturopathic board; how to protect titles so that “naturopath” as a generic term does not confer physician privileges; and whether licensure should include prescriptive authority for legend drugs or controlled substances. Several committee members stressed the complexity of unifying titles and scopes: Representative John Clauston noted that physician title protection is a common precedent and Senator Crum asked the department about the training distinctions between naturopaths and naturopathic physicians. Several student speakers told the committee license availability is a major factor in where they will practice after graduation; education and practice proponents said neighboring states (Montana, North Dakota, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Arizona, New Mexico) already license naturopathic physicians. Why it matters: Supporters argued licensure would expand primary care capacity in rural regions, add preventive services that may reduce chronic‑disease costs, and let patients choose integrative options near home. Opponents and cautious committee members requested careful statutory drafting to avoid confusing lesser‑trained practitioners with licensed NDs and asked for a working group to resolve scope, titles, board structure and insurer coverage questions. Next steps: The committee agreed to form a stakeholder working group to draft and review licensure language, engage the Wyoming Medical Society and other stakeholders, and produce draft options for committee review before the next meeting. Several members asked LSO to provide a memo on the legal use of the term “physician” across Wyoming statutes to help guide drafting.