FAQ about Naturopathic Medicine and Dr. Cole How does a naturopathic doctor differ from a traditional naturopath? Naturopathic doctors attend four-year, graduate-level, accredited naturopathic medical schools where they are trained as primary care doctors of natural medicine. Naturopathic doctors are licensed by the State of California Bureau of Naturopathic Medicine and have attended an accredited naturopathic medical school.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 23 states have no laws addressing the issue. Only seven states and the District of Columbia allow such direct reporting and thirteen states prohibit it. Connecticut is one of seven states that allow it only with a health care provider's approval.
The answer can be more complex than you might think. As far as the law is concerned physician assistants (PAs) can prescribe medication in 48 states at this time. The exceptions are Florida and Kentucky. Florida is investigating adding it and expanding the scope of practice for both Nurse practitioners and physician assistants in an effort to reduce costs in their state.