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THE BILL ITSELF

SB 542

Naturopathy

VERSION S 542 Filed · BACK TO THE SUMMARY · OFFICIAL RECORD

underlined language is being added; struck language is being deleted. Line numbers are the Legislature's own — the same ones amendments cite.

Florida Senate - 2026 SB 542 By Senator Garcia 36-00465-26 2026542__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to naturopathy; providing a short
3 title; providing legislative findings and intent;
4 renumbering, reenacting, reordering, and amending s.
5 462.01, F.S.; defining the term “board”; revising the
6 definition of the terms “natureopathy” and
7 “naturopathy”; repealing s. 462.023, F.S., relating to
8 powers and duties of the Department of Health;
9 creating s. 462.002, F.S.; creating the Board of
10 Naturopathy within the department; providing for
11 membership of the board; providing term limits;
12 providing applicability; specifying requirements for
13 the first naturopath members appointed to the board;
14 creating s. 462.003, F.S.; providing rulemaking
15 authority to the board; creating s. 462.004, F.S.;
16 providing licensure requirements for naturopaths;
17 providing for licensure by endorsement; renumbering,
18 reenacting, reordering, and amending s. 462.08, F.S.,
19 relating to renewal of license to practice
20 naturopathy; providing requirements for licensure
21 renewal; creating s. 462.006, F.S.; providing titles
22 and abbreviations licensed naturopaths may use and are
23 prohibited from using; creating s. 462.007, F.S.;
24 specifying acts that are outside the scope of practice
25 of naturopaths; authorizing licensed naturopaths to
26 prescribe, dispense, and administer specified non
27 legend nutritional product; specifying that controlled
28 and noncontrolled legend drugs are outside the scope
29 of a licensed naturopath’s prescriptive authority;
30 creating s. 462.008, F.S.; authorizing the board to
31 adopt certain rules for the health, safety, and
32 welfare of the public; repealing s. 462.09, F.S.,
33 relating to disposition of fees; reenacting and
34 amending s. 462.11, F.S., relating to naturopaths to
35 observe regulations; conforming provisions to changes
36 made by the act; repealing s. 462.13, F.S., relating
37 to additional powers and duties of the department;
38 reenacting and amending s. 462.14, F.S., relating to
39 grounds for disciplinary action and action by the
40 department; conforming provisions to changes made by
41 the act; making technical changes; reenacting and
42 amending ss. 462.16 and 462.17, F.S., relating to
43 reissue of license and penalty for offenses relating
44 to naturopathy, respectively; conforming provisions to
45 changes made by the act; reenacting and amending s.
46 462.18, F.S.; providing continuing education
47 requirements for licensed naturopaths; reenacting and
48 amending s. 462.19, F.S.; making conforming and
49 technical changes; reenacting s. 462.2001, F.S.,
50 relating to saving clause; providing an effective
51 date.
53 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
55 Section 1. This act shall be known as the “Florida
56 Naturopathy Sunrise Act.”
57 Section 2. (1) The Legislature finds that naturopathy is a
58 distinct healing art emphasizing natural methods of health care.
59 (2) The Legislature further finds that public health and
60 safety require updated, modernized licensing, scope of practice
61 standards, and regulatory oversight for naturopaths.
62 (3) It is the intent of the Legislature to reestablish
63 licensure for naturopaths to ensure professional competency,
64 protect the public health, and provide residents of this state
65 with access to regulated naturopathic care.
66 Section 3. Section 462.01, Florida Statutes, is renumbered
67 as section 462.001, Florida Statutes, and reenacted, reordered,
68 and amended, to read:
69 462.001 462.01 Definitions.—As used in this chapter , the
70 term :
71 (1) “Board” means the Board of Naturopathy.
72 (3) “Natureopathy” and “naturopathy” shall be construed as
73 synonymous terms and mean the use and practice of biofeedback;
74 biochemistry; Christian Science or prayer treatments;
75 counseling; diagnostic procedures, including physical
76 examinations for diagnostic purposes, clinical laboratory tests,
77 if conducted in cooperation with a licensed physician, and
78 physiological function tests; dietary therapy; dietary
79 recommendations; digestive aids; Eastern medicine; Eastern
80 medicine dietary recommendations; enzymes; external
81 applications; first aid; food; food extracts; health coaching;
82 health education; herbal substances, excluding CBD and THC
83 compounds; homeopathy; hygiene; hydrotherapy; hypnotherapy, if
84 licensed as a hypnotherapist or certified in hypnotherapy;
85 indigenous medicine; iridology; ordering an ultrasound, X-ray,
86 or electrocardiogram test, only if working with a licensed
87 physician and referring the client to an appropriate licensed
88 health care professional for conducting and interpreting the
89 tests; mechanotherapy or stretch therapy; minerals; naturopathic
90 light touch therapy; naturopathic testing, such as tongue and
91 nail observational testing; nutrition counseling; nutrition
92 education; nutritional substances, such as amino acids, vitamins
93 and minerals, and nutritional IV therapies, only if ordered in
94 cooperation with a licensed physician; phytotherapy; plant
95 substances; sanitation; spiritual healing; and animal
96 organotherapy not scheduled under chapter 893 psychological,
97 mechanical, and material health sciences to aid in purifying,
98 cleansing, and normalizing human tissues for the preservation or
99 restoration of health, according to the fundamental principles
100 of anatomy, physiology, and applied psychology, as may be
101 required. Naturopathic practice employs, among other agencies,
102 phytotherapy, dietetics, psychotherapy, suggestotherapy,
103 hydrotherapy, zone therapy, biochemistry, external applications,
104 electrotherapy, mechanotherapy, mechanical and electrical
105 appliances, hygiene, first aid, sanitation, and heliotherapy;
106 provided, however, that nothing in this chapter shall be held or
107 construed to authorize any naturopathic physician licensed
108 hereunder to practice materia medica or surgery or chiropractic
109 medicine, nor shall the provisions of this law in any manner
110 apply to or affect the practice of osteopathic medicine,
111 chiropractic medicine, Christian Science, or any other treatment
112 authorized and provided for by law for the cure or prevention of
113 disease and ailments .
114 (2) “Department” means the Department of Health.
115 Section 4. Section 462.023, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
116 Section 5. Section 462.002, Florida Statutes, is created to
117 read:
118 462.002 Board of Naturopathy.—
119 (1) There is created within the department the Board of
120 Naturopathy.
121 (2) The board shall be composed of seven members appointed
122 by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Four members must
123 be naturopaths licensed under this chapter; one member must be a
124 physician licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459; one member
125 must be a chiropractic physician licensed under chapter 460; and
126 one member must be a pharmacist licensed under chapter 465.
127 (3) Members shall serve 4-year terms. Members may serve for
128 no more than 8 consecutive years and no more than 12 years in
129 total. After serving 8 consecutive years, a member is eligible
130 for reappointment for one additional 4-year term after 1
131 calendar year has passed since the date of the end of the last
132 term served.
133 (4) As the terms of the members expire, the Governor shall
134 appoint successors for terms of 4 years, and such members shall
135 serve until their successors are appointed.
136 (5) All applicable provisions of chapter 456 relating to
137 activities of regulatory boards shall apply.
138 Section 6. The first naturopath members appointed to the
139 Board of Naturopathy under s. 462.002, Florida Statutes, as
140 created by this act, must meet all qualifications to obtain a
141 license pursuant to s. 462.004, Florida Statutes.
142 Section 7. Section 462.003, Florida Statutes, is created to
143 read:
144 462.003 Rulemaking authority.—The board has authority to
145 adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement
146 the provisions of this chapter conferring duties upon it. Such
147 rules include, but are not limited to, rules relating to
148 licensure requirements, standards of practice, and continuing
149 education.
150 Section 8. Section 462.004, Florida Statutes, is created to
151 read:
152 462.004 Licensure requirements; licensure by endorsement.—
153 (1) Any person desiring to be a licensed naturopath under
154 this chapter must apply to the department, submit to background
155 screening in accordance with s. 456.0135, and submit proof to
156 the department that she or he meets all of the following
157 criteria:
158 (a) Is at least 21 years of age.
159 (b) Has obtained professional liability insurance.
160 (c) Has obtained first aid and cardiopulmonary
161 resuscitation certifications.
162 (d) Holds one or more of the following qualifications:
163 1. Board certification in naturopathy from the American
164 Naturopathic Medical Certification Board.
165 2. Successful passage of the Naturopathic Doctors Licensing
166 Exam from the National Board of Naturopathic Examiners.
167 3. Successful passage of the Naturopathic Physicians
168 Licensing Examinations from the North American Board of
169 Naturopathic Examiners.
170 (2) The department shall issue a license by endorsement to
171 any applicant who, upon applying to the department, demonstrates
172 that she or he meets the requirements for licensure by
173 endorsement under s. 456.0145.
174 Section 9. Section 462.08, Florida Statutes, is renumbered
175 as section 462.005, Florida Statutes, and reenacted and amended,
176 to read:
177 462.005 462.08 Renewal of license to practice naturopathy.
178 Each licenseholder shall biennially renew her or his license to
179 practice naturopathy. As a condition for licensure renewal, an
180 applicant must maintain professional liability coverage and
181 certifications in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation
182 and comply with the continuing education requirements of s.
183 462.18. The department shall renew a license upon receipt of a
184 renewal application and proof of compliance with the
185 requirements of this section The applicant must furnish to the
186 department such evidence as it requires of the applicant’s
187 compliance with s. 462.18, relating to educational requirements.
188 The biennial renewal fee, the amount of which shall be
189 determined by the department but which may not exceed $1,000,
190 must be paid at the time the application for renewal of the
191 license is filed .
192 Section 10. Section 462.006, Florida Statutes, is created
193 to read:
194 462.006 Titles.—
195 (1) Naturopaths licensed under this chapter may use any of
196 the following titles or abbreviations: “naturopath,”
197 “traditional naturopath,” “naturopathic practitioner,” “licensed
198 naturopath,” “L.N.,” or “N.D.”
199 (2) Naturopaths licensed under this chapter may not use any
200 of the following titles: “naturopathic medical doctor” or
201 “naturopathic physician.”
202 Section 11. Section 462.007, Florida Statutes, is created
203 to read:
204 462.007 Scope of practice; prescriptive authority.—
205 (1) This chapter does not authorize a licensed naturopath
206 to engage in or perform any of the following:
207 (a) Acupuncture.
208 (b) Electroacupuncture.
209 (c) Emergency medicine.
210 (d) Endoscopies.
211 (e) Injections, including injections with the use of
212 syringes.
213 (f) Local anesthesia.
214 (g) Physiological function tests requiring infusion,
215 injection, inhalation, or ingestion of medications to perform
216 the test.
217 (h) Practice or claim to practice medicine, surgery,
218 osteopathy, dentistry, podiatry, optometry, chiropractic
219 medicine, or physical therapy.
220 (i) Surgery and surgical procedures.
221 (2) A licensed naturopath may prescribe, dispense, and
222 administer non-legend nutritional products, including, but not
223 limited to, all of the following:
224 (a) Essential and nonessential amino acids, such as lysine,
225 glutamine, and tryptophan.
226 (b) Electrolytes and hydration products, such as oral
227 rehydration salts and electrolyte powders.
228 (c) Enzymes, including digestive enzymes such as amylase,
229 protease, lipase, bromelain, and papain.
230 (d) Fatty acids, such as omega-3s, omega-6s, and medium
231 chain triglycerides.
232 (e) Herbal and botanical substances, such as echinacea,
233 ginseng, green tea extract, milk thistle, and turmeric.
234 (f) Minerals, such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium,
235 selenium, and zinc.
236 (g) Nutraceuticals and specialty compounds, such as alpha
237 lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10, glucosamine, chondroitin, and L
238 carnitine.
239 (h) Other non-legend nutritional substances, such as
240 collagen peptides, fiber supplements, and natural antioxidants.
241 (i) Probiotics and prebiotics, such as bifidobacterium,
242 fructooligosaccharides, inulin, and lactobacillus.
243 (j) Protein and meal supplements, such as casein, plant
244 based proteins, and whey protein.
245 (k) Vitamins, such as vitamin A, vitamin B-complex, vitamin
246 C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K.
247 (3) This chapter does not authorize a licensed naturopath
248 to prescribe, dispense, and administer controlled and
249 noncontrolled legend drugs, including, but not limited to, any
250 of the following:
251 (a) Antibiotics.
252 (b) Antidiabetics.
253 (c) Antihypertensives.
254 (d) Antivirals.
255 (e) Barrier devices for contraception or abortion.
256 (f) Biologics.
257 (g) Botulinum toxin.
258 (h) Corticosteroids, including inhaled corticosteroids.
259 (i) Herbal substances containing CBD and THC compounds.
260 (j) Hormonal therapies.
261 (k) Lipid-lowering agents.
262 (l) Local anesthesia.
263 (m) Nonopioid pain medications.
264 (n) Ophthalmic or oral inhalation drugs in aqueous format.
265 (o) Proton pump inhibitors.
266 (p) Thyroid hormones.
267 (q) Vaccinations.
268 (r) Any controlled substance on Schedules I–V of s. 893.03.
269 (s) Any other controlled substance or legend drug not used
270 for the practice of naturopathy.
271 Section 12. Section 462.008, Florida Statutes, is created
272 to read:
273 462.008 Infection control.—The board may adopt rules
274 relating to the prevention of infection, safe disposal of any
275 potentially infectious materials, and other requirements to
276 protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
277 Section 13. Section 462.09, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
278 Section 14. Section 462.11, Florida Statutes, is reenacted
279 and amended to read:
280 462.11 Naturopaths to observe regulations.— Naturopaths
281 licensed under this chapter Doctors of naturopathy shall observe
282 and are be subject to all state, county, and municipal
283 regulations in regard to the control of contagious and
284 infectious diseases, the reporting of births and deaths, and to
285 any and all other matters pertaining to the public health in the
286 same manner as is required of other practitioners of the healing
287 art.
288 Section 15. Section 462.13, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
289 Section 16. Section 462.14, Florida Statutes, is reenacted
290 and amended to read:
291 462.14 Grounds for disciplinary action; action by the
292 department.—
293 (1) The following acts constitute grounds for denial of a
294 license or disciplinary action, as specified in s. 456.072(2):
295 (a) Attempting to obtain, obtaining, or renewing a license
296 to practice naturopathy naturopathic medicine by bribery, by
297 fraudulent misrepresentation, or through an error of the
298 department.
299 (b) Having a license to practice naturopathy naturopathic
300 medicine revoked, suspended, or otherwise acted against,
301 including the denial of licensure, by the licensing authority of
302 another state, territory, or country.
303 (c) Being convicted or found guilty, regardless of
304 adjudication, of a crime in any jurisdiction which directly
305 relates to the practice of naturopathy naturopathic medicine or
306 to the ability to practice naturopathy naturopathic medicine .
307 Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for
308 purposes of this chapter.
309 (d) False, deceptive, or misleading advertising.
310 (e) Advertising, practicing, or attempting to practice
311 under a name other than one’s own.
312 (f) Failing to report to the department any person who the
313 licensee knows is in violation of this chapter or of the rules
314 of the department. However, a person who the licensee knows is
315 unable to practice naturopathy naturopathic medicine with
316 reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of illness or
317 use of alcohol, drugs, narcotics, chemicals, or any other type
318 of material, or as a result of a mental or physical condition,
319 may be reported to a consultant operating an impaired
320 practitioner program as described in s. 456.076 rather than to
321 the department.
322 (g) Aiding, assisting, procuring, or advising any
323 unlicensed person to practice naturopathy naturopathic medicine
324 contrary to this chapter or to a rule of the department.
325 (h) Failing to perform any statutory or legal obligation
326 placed upon a licensed naturopath naturopathic physician .
327 (i) Making or filing a report that which the licensee knows
328 to be false, intentionally or negligently failing to file a
329 report or record required by state or federal law, willfully
330 impeding or obstructing such filing or inducing another person
331 to do so. Such reports or records shall include only those which
332 are signed in the capacity as a licensed naturopath naturopathic
333 physician .
334 (j) Paying or receiving any commission, bonus, kickback, or
335 rebate, or engaging in any split-fee arrangement in any form
336 whatsoever with a physician, organization, agency, or person,
337 either directly or indirectly, for patients referred to
338 providers of health care goods and services, including, but not
339 limited to, hospitals, nursing homes, clinical laboratories,
340 ambulatory surgical centers, or pharmacies. The provisions of
341 This paragraph may shall not be construed to prevent a
342 naturopath naturopathic physician from receiving a fee for
343 professional consultation services.
344 (k) Exercising influence within a patient-naturopath
345 patient-physician relationship for purposes of engaging a
346 patient in sexual activity. A patient is shall be presumed to be
347 incapable of giving free, full, and informed consent to sexual
348 activity with her or his naturopath physician .
349 (l) Making deceptive, untrue, or fraudulent representations
350 in the practice of naturopathy naturopathic medicine or
351 employing a trick or scheme in the practice of naturopathy
352 naturopathic medicine when such scheme or trick fails to conform
353 to the generally prevailing standards of treatment in the
354 medical community.
355 (m) Soliciting patients, either personally or through an
356 agent, through the use of fraud, intimidation, undue influence,
357 or a form of overreaching or vexatious conduct. A “solicitation”
358 is any communication which directly or implicitly requests an
359 immediate oral response from the recipient.
360 (n) Failing to keep written medical records justifying the
361 course of treatment of the patient, including, but not limited
362 to, patient histories, examination results, test results, X
363 rays, and records of the prescribing, dispensing and
364 administering of non-legend drugs.
365 (o) Exercising influence on the patient or client in such a
366 manner as to exploit the patient or client for the financial
367 gain of the licensee or of a third party, which shall include,
368 but not be limited to, the promoting or selling of services,
369 goods, appliances, or non-legend drugs and the promoting or
370 advertising on any prescription form of a community pharmacy
371 unless the form also states “This prescription may be filled at
372 any pharmacy of your choice.”
373 (p) Performing professional services that which have not
374 been duly authorized by the patient or client, or her or his
375 legal representative, except as provided in s. 743.064, s.
376 766.103, or s. 768.13.
377 (q) Prescribing, dispensing, administering, mixing, or
378 otherwise preparing a non-legend legend drug , including any
379 controlled substance, other than in the course of the
380 naturopath’s naturopathic physician’s professional practice. For
381 the purposes of this paragraph, it shall be legally presumed
382 that prescribing, dispensing, administering, mixing, or
383 otherwise preparing non-legend legend drugs, including all
384 controlled substances, inappropriately or in excessive or
385 inappropriate quantities is not in the best interest of the
386 patient and is not in the course of the naturopath’s
387 naturopathic physician’s professional practice, without regard
388 to her or his intent.
389 (r) Prescribing, dispensing, or administering any medicinal
390 drug appearing on any schedule set forth in chapter 893 by the
391 naturopath naturopathic physician to herself or himself, except
392 one prescribed, dispensed, or administered to the naturopath
393 naturopathic physician by another practitioner authorized to
394 prescribe, dispense, or administer medicinal drugs.
395 (s) Being unable to practice naturopathy naturopathic
396 medicine with reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason
397 of illness or use of alcohol, drugs, narcotics, chemicals, or
398 any other type of material or as a result of any mental or
399 physical condition. In enforcing this paragraph, the department
400 shall have, upon probable cause, authority to compel a
401 naturopath naturopathic physician to submit to a mental or
402 physical examination by physicians designated by the department.
403 The failure of a naturopath naturopathic physician to submit to
404 such an examination when so directed shall constitute an
405 admission of the allegations against her or him upon which a
406 default and final order may be entered without the taking of
407 testimony or presentation of evidence, unless the failure was
408 due to circumstances beyond the naturopath’s naturopathic
409 physician’s control. A naturopath naturopathic physician
410 affected under this paragraph shall at reasonable intervals be
411 afforded an opportunity to demonstrate that she or he can resume
412 the competent practice of naturopathy naturopathic medicine with
413 reasonable skill and safety to patients. In any proceeding under
414 this paragraph, neither the record of proceedings nor the orders
415 entered by the department may be used against a naturopath
416 naturopathic physician in any other proceeding.
417 (t) Gross or repeated malpractice or the failure to
418 practice naturopathy naturopathic medicine with that level of
419 care, skill, and treatment which is recognized by a reasonably
420 prudent similar naturopath physician as being acceptable under
421 similar conditions and circumstances. The department shall give
422 great weight to the provisions of s. 766.102 when enforcing this
423 paragraph.
424 (u) Performing any procedure or prescribing any therapy
425 which, by the prevailing standards of medical practice in the
426 community, constitutes experimentation on a human subject,
427 without first obtaining full, informed, and written consent.
428 (v) Practicing or offering to practice beyond the scope
429 permitted by law or accepting and performing professional
430 responsibilities that which the licensee knows or has reason to
431 know that she or he is not competent to perform.
432 (w) Delegating professional responsibilities to a person
433 when the licensee delegating such responsibilities knows or has
434 reason to know that such person is not qualified by training,
435 experience, or licensure to perform them.
436 (x) Violating a lawful order of the department previously
437 entered in a disciplinary hearing or failing to comply with a
438 lawfully issued subpoena of the department.
439 (y) Conspiring with another licensee or with any other
440 person to commit an act, or committing an act, that which would
441 tend to coerce, intimidate, or preclude another licensee from
442 lawfully advertising her or his services.
443 (z) Procuring, or aiding or abetting in the procuring of,
444 an unlawful termination of pregnancy.
445 (aa) Presigning blank prescription forms.
446 (bb) Prescribing by the naturopath naturopathic physician
447 for office use any medicinal drug appearing on Schedule II in
448 chapter 893.
449 (cc) Prescribing, ordering, dispensing, administering,
450 supplying, selling, or giving any drug that which is an
451 amphetamine or sympathomimetic amine drug, or a compound
452 designated pursuant to chapter 893 as a Schedule II controlled
453 substance to or for any person except for:
454 1. The treatment of narcolepsy; hyperkinesis; behavioral
455 syndrome in children characterized by the developmentally
456 inappropriate symptoms of moderate to severe distractability,
457 short attention span, hyperactivity, emotional lability, and
458 impulsivity; or drug-induced brain dysfunction.
459 2. The differential diagnostic psychiatric evaluation of
460 depression or the treatment of depression shown to be refractory
461 to other therapeutic modalities.
462 3. The clinical investigation of the effects of such drugs
463 or compounds when an investigative protocol therefor is
464 submitted to, reviewed, and approved by the department before
465 such investigation is begun .
466 (dd) Prescribing, ordering, dispensing, administering,
467 supplying, selling, or giving growth hormones, testosterone or
468 its analogs, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), or other
469 hormones for the purpose of muscle building or to enhance
470 athletic performance. For the purposes of this subsection, the
471 term “muscle building” does not include the treatment of injured
472 muscle. A prescription written for the drug products listed
473 above may be dispensed by the pharmacist with the presumption
474 that the prescription is for legitimate medical use.
475 (ee) Violating any provision of this chapter or chapter
476 456, or any rules adopted pursuant thereto.
477 (2) The board department may enter an order denying
478 licensure or imposing any of the penalties in s. 456.072(2)
479 against any applicant for licensure or licensee who is found
480 guilty of violating any provision of subsection (1) of this
481 section or who is found guilty of violating any provision of s.
482 456.072(1).
483 (3) The board department shall not reinstate the license of
484 a naturopath naturopathic physician until such time as the board
485 department is satisfied that such person has complied with all
486 the terms and conditions set forth in the final order and that
487 such person is capable of safely engaging in the practice of
488 naturopathy naturopathic medicine .
489 (4) The board department shall by rule establish guidelines
490 for the disposition of disciplinary cases involving specific
491 types of violations. Such guidelines may include minimum and
492 maximum fines, periods of supervision or probation, or
493 conditions of probation or reissuance of a license.
494 Section 17. Section 462.16, Florida Statutes, is reenacted
495 and amended to read:
496 462.16 Reissue of license.—Any person who practices shall
497 practice naturopathy after her or his license has been revoked
498 is and registration annulled shall be deemed to have practiced
499 naturopathy without a license . ; provided, However, at any time
500 after 6 months after the date of such revocation said
501 conviction , the department may grant a license to the person
502 affected, restoring to her or him all the rights and privileges
503 of and pertaining to the practice of naturopathy as defined and
504 regulated by this chapter. The fee therefor shall not exceed
505 $250.
506 Section 18. Section 462.17, Florida Statutes, is reenacted
507 and amended to read:
508 462.17 Penalty for offenses relating to naturopathy.— A
509 person who engages in any of the following acts commits a felony
510 of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s.
511 775.083, or s. 775.084 Any person who shall :
512 (1) Sells Sell , fraudulently obtains obtain , or furnishes
513 furnish any naturopathic diploma, license, record, or
514 registration or aids aid or abets abet in the same . ;
515 (2) Practices Practice naturopathy under the cover of any
516 diploma, license, record, or registration illegally or
517 fraudulently obtained or secured or issued unlawfully or upon
518 fraudulent representations . ;
519 (3) Advertises Advertise to practice naturopathy under a
520 name other than her or his own or under an assumed name . ;
521 (4) Falsely impersonates impersonate another practitioner
522 of a like or different name . ;
523 (5) Practices Practice or advertises advertise to practice
524 naturopathy or uses use in connection with her or his name any
525 designation tending to imply or to designate the person as a
526 practitioner of naturopathy without then being lawfully licensed
527 and authorized to practice naturopathy in this state . ; or
528 (6) Practices Practice naturopathy during the time her or
529 his license is suspended or revoked
531 shall be guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as
532 provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084 .
533 Section 19. Section 462.18, Florida Statutes, is reenacted
534 and amended to read:
535 462.18 Continuing education Educational requirements .—
536 (1) At the time each licensee shall renew her or his
537 license as otherwise provided in this chapter, each licensee , in
538 addition to the payment of the regular renewal fee, shall
539 furnish to the board department satisfactory evidence that, in
540 the year preceding each such application for renewal, the
541 licensee has completed 25 hours of continuing education in
542 naturopathy and medical nutrition therapy, and attended the 2
543 day educational program as promulgated and conducted by the
544 Florida Naturopathic Physicians Association, Inc., or an , as a
545 substitute therefor, the equivalent of that program as approved
546 by the board department . The department shall send a written
547 notice to this effect to every person holding a valid license to
548 practice naturopathy within this state at least 30 days before
549 prior to May 1 in each even-numbered year , directed to the last
550 known address of such licensee, and shall enclose with the
551 notice proper blank forms for application for annual license
552 renewal. All of the details and requirements of the aforesaid
553 educational program shall be adopted and prescribed by the
554 department . In the event of national emergencies, or for
555 sufficient reason, the department shall have the power to excuse
556 the naturopaths naturopathic physicians as a group or as
557 individuals from taking this postgraduate course.
558 (2) The determination of whether a substitute annual
559 educational program is necessary shall be solely within the
560 discretion of the department.
561 Section 20. Section 462.19, Florida Statutes, is amended to
562 read:
563 462.19 Renewal of license; Inactive status.—
564 (1) The department shall renew a license upon receipt of
565 the renewal application and fee.
566 (2) A licensee may request that her or his license be
567 placed in an inactive status by making application to the
568 department and paying a fee in an amount set by the department
569 not to exceed $50 .
570 Section 21. Section 462.2001, Florida Statutes, is
571 reenacted to read:
572 462.2001 Saving clause.—All licenses to practice
573 naturopathy issued pursuant to this chapter and valid on October
574 1, 1985, shall remain in full force and effect.
575 Section 22. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.