Board of Medicine seeks authority to run criminal background checks on genetic counselors, naturopathic doctors

The Senate Workforce Development Committee heard Senate Bill 2042 on the morning the committee reconvened, a proposal to give the North Dakota Board of Medicine explicit authority to obtain criminal history checks for genetic counselors and naturopathic doctors.

“The bill in a nutshell authorizes the board to conduct background checks for genetic counselors and naturopathic doctors,” said Sandra DuPentes, executive director of the North Dakota Board of Medicine, during the bill’s presentation. DuPentes told senators the Board already performs background checks for physicians and physician assistants under its existing physician-assistance code and has…