To become a licensed naturopathic doctor in California, an applicant must submit a form to the board showing they meet specific criteria. First, they must not have committed any acts or crimes that would prevent them from getting licensed, as outlined in a separate section. Second, the applicant needs a degree in naturopathic medicine from an approved school that meets certain educational standards.

If you want to become a licensed naturopathic doctor in California, you need to pass the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination (NPLEX) or another test approved by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners. If that board doesn't approve a test, the California board can give its own similar test. They might also have you take extra tests related to what you'll be doing in your practice in California.

This law allows the board to give a license to someone who meets certain requirements and graduated in naturopathy before 1986. They must have passed a state or Canadian naturopathic exam instead of the NPLEX. Applications had to be submitted by the end of 2007.

If you hold a license under this chapter, you need to renew it every two years as set by the board. If you don't renew it, the license will expire. The board can also set rules for how you might renew it late if you miss the deadline.

This section requires licensed naturopathic doctors in California to complete 60 hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license, except for the first renewal. At least 20 of these hours must focus on medication uses (pharmacotherapeutics). Other restrictions include a limit of 15 hours from specific media types (like videos or journals) and up to 20 hours on any single topic. The law also specifies no more than 15 hours for childbirth attendance can contribute to the 60-hour total. Courses must be relevant to naturopathic, osteopathic, or medical practices, and must be approved by designated organizations. Education providers also need to confirm they meet specific standards by submitting an annual declaration to the board and will be listed online.

If you hold a professional license, you must keep proof of taking continuing education courses for six years. The committee can check your education records to make sure you meet the education requirements. It’s considered unprofessional behavior if you provide false information about your education to the committee.

This section lays out rules for continuing education providers, especially in the field of naturopathic medicine. The content must be well-balanced, unbiased, and scientifically rigorous, with patient care recommendations based on solid evidence. There shouldn't be any conflicts of interest, like financial ties to companies selling health products, as these could skew opinions and teachings. If such conflicts exist, they must be disclosed and resolved before the course is presented. Ways to resolve conflicts include changing relationships or content control, or having the course peer-reviewed. The goal is to ensure that education remains objective and evidence-based.

If a licensed naturopathic doctor in good standing requests it in writing, they can be granted inactive status by the board. While inactive, they can't practice as a naturopathic doctor and don't need to complete continuing education. To return to active status, they must catch up on two years of continuing education and pay any required fees.

This law states that only a single person, not a group or company, can receive a license according to this chapter.