ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
naturopathic physicians
board
Purpose
Makes numerous changes to
the statutes governing the Arizona Naturopathic Physicians Board of Medical
Examiners (NPBOMEX).
Background
Pursuant to statute, NPBOMEX
regulates naturopathic physicians by ensuring persons practicing naturopathic
medicine possess the required qualifications by issuing and renewing licenses;
conducting investigation and hearings concerning unprofessional conduct and
other violations; disciplining violators; and providing consumer information to
the public. The “practice of
naturopathic medicine” is defined as a medical system of diagnosing and treating
diseases, injuries, ailments, infirmities and other conditions of the human
mind and body including by natural means, drugless, methods, nonsurgical
methods, devices, physical, electrical, hygienic and sanitary measures and all
forms of physical agents and modalities (A.R.S. §32-1501). According to NPBOMEX, it regulates 224
licensed naturopathic physicians and 184 certified medical assistants,
naturopathic school students in clinical training programs and naturopathic
school graduates in a preceptorship program.
The Joint Legislative Budget
Committee staff operating budget recommendations for the NPBOMEX for FY
2001-2002 is $199,400 and FY 2002-2003 is $199,500. These funds are appropriated by the Legislature from the
naturopathic physicians board of medical examiners fund.
Last
year, the Senate Commerce, Agriculture and Natural Resources and House of
Representatives Health Committees of Reference held a meeting to review an
Office of the Auditor General (OAG) performance audit of NPBOMEX. The OAG made several recommendations
relating to scope of practice, licensing examinations, complaint processing,
board operation and oversight of the Executive Director.
According to NPBOMEX, moving
to a national examination will save approximately $8,000 each year which is
spent on writing and verifying examination questions.
Provisions
1. Requires, by July 1, 2002, NPBOMEX to prescribe in rule a national examination to satisfy the examination requirements.
2. Requires NPBOMEX to administer a written national examination for licensure.
3. Allows NPBOMEX to administer its own examination for areas not covered by a the national examination.
4. Requires NPBOMEX to accept the grade issued on the national examination without adjustment.
5. Prohibits NPBOMEX and its staff from having any financial interest in the national examination.
6. Specifies an applicant must obtain a grade of 75 or more on each subject of the national and board examination.
7. Specifies examination materials and records of grading are confidential and not public records.
8. Prohibits the Executive Director of NPBOMEX from having any financial interests in the practice of medicine or the training of naturopathic physicians.
9. Requires, within 90 days of receiving a completed application for licensure, NPBOMEX to issue a license if the applicant is in compliance with NPBOMEX statutes and rules.
10. Allows NPBOMEX to appoint an investigation to provide information to the Board concerning an alleged violation.
11. Prohibits a board member from participating in the adjudication of a case if the member conducted the investigation or worked with the investigator.
12. Allows the Board and its investigators to subpoena any medical record that is relative to an investigation.
13. Eliminates the ability of a school of naturopathic medicine to become an approved school if the school is certified, recognized or approved by another state’s naturopathic licensing agency and the school is located in the jurisdiction of that agency.
14. Makes conforming and technical changes.
15. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
February 9, 2001