This law makes it clear that keeping the public safe is the most important job for the board when it comes to licensing, regulating, and disciplining professionals. If there's ever a conflict between public safety and other interests, keeping the public safe should always come first.

This section describes the structure and rules for a board that oversees naturopathic doctors in California. The board has nine members: seven appointed by the Governor, one by the Senate, and one by the Assembly. Five members must be licensed naturopathic doctors, two must be licensed physicians or surgeons, and two are public members. Each board member serves a four-year term and can only serve two consecutive terms. Public members must have lived in the state for at least five years and must not have conflicts of interest related to naturopathy. They also can't have close family involved in naturopathic education or business. Board members receive compensation for their service, and the board can appoint an executive officer to handle duties. The appointing authorities can remove board members as needed.

This law requires the board to meet at least twice every year and hold extra meetings in different places as needed to handle its tasks effectively.

This section explains that the board in charge has to create rules to implement this chapter effectively. It also states that existing rules from the Bureau of Naturopathic Medicine and its Committee will still apply unless they go against this chapter.

This law details the requirements for a naturopathic medical education program to be approved by the board in California. It requires that the program be accredited by a recognized body and meet specific criteria such as having rigorous admission standards and a comprehensive curriculum of at least 4,100 hours. It must include a mix of academic and clinical training with certain minimum hours dedicated to each. For programs in the U.S., they must offer full-time, graduate-level studies culminating in a Doctor of Naturopathy degree and be part of an accredited institution. Programs in Canada or the U.S. must qualify graduates for licensure and examinations. Additionally, the law mandates that these programs evaluate and possibly credit military training and experience relevant to naturopathy.

This law allows someone who doesn't have a naturopathic doctor's license to get a certificate to practice naturopathic medicine if they're offered a faculty position at a board-approved naturopathic school. To qualify, the applicant must apply using a board-provided form, the school's dean must vouch for their qualifications, and must ensure that the applicant practices only as part of their teaching duties. This certificate is not for personal practice or earning money and is valid for two years.

This section says that if you're a naturopathic doctor licensed in another state or country, you don't have to follow the rules of this chapter if you meet certain conditions. First, you must be working with a California-licensed practitioner, or be invited by a recognized medical group like the California Medical Association, to provide education through talks or demonstrations. Second, you're not allowed to set up an office, meet with patients, take patient calls, or make major decisions about patient care in California.

This law allows the board to hire the staff it needs to do its work, including a full-time staff member focused on enforcing the rules in this chapter. The position will report to the executive officer. Additionally, any costs related to renaming the Naturopathic Medicine Committee to the California Board of Naturopathic Medicine must be covered by existing resources, ensuring there are no extra expenses.

This law requires the creation of a special committee to decide what medicines naturopathic doctors can prescribe. The committee will have members from both education and clinical backgrounds, including physicians, pharmacists, and naturopathic doctors. They will examine the education and training of naturopaths and suggest guidelines for what and how these doctors can prescribe medications, as well as how they should be supervised.