Required Continuing Education

A naturopathic doctor must complete six hours of Board-approved pain management training by the end of the first licensing cycle after initial licensure. Nothing in this provision is intended to expand or limit the scope of practice for naturopathic doctors in 273 CMR 4.00: Scope of Practice and 5.00: Professional and Ethical Standards of Conduct. A naturopathic doctor must complete one hour of medical ethics in the 24 months immediately preceding [expiration/year]. A naturopathic doctor must obtain at least two hours of Board-approved pharmacy continuing education in the 24 months immediately preceding [expiration/year]. The following examples of acceptable CE programs are: (a) bio-pharmacology; (b) non-formulary substances or drugs relevant to patient care; (c) substances listed in drug formulary and their application to patient care; (d) drug-drug, drug-herb, drug-nutrient interactions and contraindications; and (e) research of formulary substances and drugs in conjuncture with naturopathic medical care. (Mass. Register #1468 4/29/22) (4) A naturopathic doctor shall maintain current certification in Basic Life Support for the Health Care Provider or in a Board-approved equivalent. (1) CE activities must have significant intellectual or practical content which deals primarily with matters directly related to the practice of naturopathic health care or with the professional responsibilities or ethical obligations of the profession. Nonclinical subjects relevant to naturopathic health care may meet the criteria for acceptance for CE credit. (2) Acceptable CE for credit must: (a) Be presented by naturopathic doctors, other physicians, or other professionally acknowledged health care educators with expertise in the subject matter taught; (b) foster the competency and skills of the naturopathic doctor; (c) consist of education covering review, new, experimental, research or specialty subjects relevant to the practice of naturopathic health care; (d) exclude the selling or promotion of proprietary products or practice building; and (e) not misrepresent or mislead the end result/skill to be gained by the education or training offered. (3) Continuing education credit will be rounded to the nearest quarter hour. (4) The licensee shall only receive CE credit upon demonstrating written verification of attendance, course title, number of credit hours obtained, and the licensee's name. The written verification must be signed by the program provider. A naturopathic doctor may receive CE credit for the following qualifying education. Continuing education may be approved based on the following criteria: (1) Continuing education provided by recognized professional health care licensing agencies, hospitals, or institutions; or programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the North American Naturopathic Continuing Education Accreditation Council (NANCEAC), the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education 1 (ACPE), or the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), or continuing education approved by other state boards licensing naturopathic doctors, state associations of states that license naturopathic doctors, or continuing education otherwise approved by the Board. A naturopathic doctor may obtain 100% of CEs for attending or participating in live, webinar, or other interactive courses or presentations. (2) Video or Audio CE Courses or Seminars: A naturopathic doctor may receive up to 20 credits per renewal cycle for video or audio recorded CE courses or seminars. Verification must include an original outline of the presentation as well as the name and date of the presentation and the date of review, length of course or seminar, and sponsor information. (3) Literature Review: A naturopathic doctor may receive up to five credits per renewal cycle for literature review. The Board credits one hour of CE for each article reviewed. Articles must be from peer-reviewed publications and verification must include the article's title, full journal citation and time spent reviewing such article. (4) Research: A naturopathic doctor may receive up to 10 CE credits per renewal cycle for participation in research related to the advancement of naturopathic health care. The CE credit for research shall be preapproved by the Board and such research shall be directed by a Board-recognized educational or medical institution or organization and fully compliant with all federal and state laws related to conducting research. A request for Board approval must include the type of research being conducted, purpose and summary of research, dates of participation and disclosure of any fiduciary relationships. (5) Teaching/Presentation: A naturopathic doctor may receive up to eight credits in aggregate for actual presentation hours for an initial course or initial seminar and up to three hours for preparation for each hour of the presentation, when subject is specific to professional-level health education. (6) Participation in the NPLEX committee for the development and writing of the NPLEX examinations. (7) Other courses or activities as the Board may authorize. (1) A naturopathic doctor shall maintain verification of CEs for at least four years or two renewal cycles following renewal of a license, which shall be submitted to the Board upon request. (2) The Board may conduct random audits to determine compliance with CE requirements. (3) When there is evidence of a lack of compliance with CE requirements, an applicant shall be notified in writing and the Board may initiate disciplinary proceedings. (1) The Board may upon written request and for good cause shown, waive or modify the CE requirements for a particular licensee. Good cause may include, but is not limited to: (a) Full-time service in the armed forces of the United States or the U.S. Public Health Service; (b) Service in the armed forces of the United States during a substantial part of such period; (c) An incapacitating illness documented by a licensed physician; (d) Undue hardship (e.g., prolonged hospitalization); (e) Disability accompanied by inability to practice naturopathic health care for greater than one year; and (f) Matriculation in a program of advanced study in naturopathic health care. (2) The Board may request an interview with the licensee whenever a request for a waiver is filed with the Board.