2012 Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 32: PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS
Chapter 113-B: COMPLEMENTARY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
32 §12522. Scope of practice

Subchapter 3: NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE HEADING: PL 1995, C. 671, §13 (NEW)

§12522. Scope of practice

1. Medicines and therapies. A naturopathic doctor may use and order for preventative and therapeutic purposes the following natural medicines and therapies: food, food extracts, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, digestive aids, whole gland thyroid and other natural hormones, plant substances, all homeopathic preparations, immunizations, counseling, hypnotherapy, biofeedback, dietary therapy, naturopathic manipulative therapy, naturopathic physical medicine, therapeutic devices, barrier devices for contraception and office procedures. Naturopathic doctors may also prescribe medications, including natural antibiotics and topical medicines, within the limitations set forth in subsection 4. This subsection may not be construed to prevent an individual other than a naturopathic doctor from using, ordering or recommending any of the above listed items as long as the individual is not prohibited from doing so by any other federal or state statute or regulation.

[ 1995, c. 671, §13 (NEW) .]

2. Diagnostic procedures. A naturopathic doctor may use physical examinations for diagnostic purposes including phlebotomy, clinical laboratory tests, speculum examinations and physiological function tests, excluding all endoscopies and physiological function tests requiring infusion, injection, inhalation or ingestion of medications to perform tests. A naturopathic doctor may order ultrasound, x-ray and electrocardiogram tests but must refer to an appropriate licensed health care professional for conducting and interpreting the tests.

[ 1995, c. 671, §13 (NEW) .]

3. Other devices and procedures. A naturopathic doctor may prescribe therapeutic devices or use noninvasive diagnostic procedures commonly used by allopathic or osteopathic physicians in general practice.

[ 1995, c. 671, §13 (NEW) .]

4. Prescriptive authority. Naturopathic doctors have a limited scope of prescriptive authority.

A. A naturopathic doctor may prescribe nonprescription medications without limitation. [1995, c. 671, §13 (NEW).]

B. A naturopathic doctor may only prescribe noncontrolled legend drugs from the following categories: homeopathic remedies, vitamins and minerals, hormones, local anesthesia and immunizations that are designated by rule by a subcommittee of the board consisting of the naturopathic members, the pharmacist member and the allopathic or osteopathic physician member, as consistent with a naturopathic doctor's education and training. A naturopathic doctor may not prescribe psychotropic medications. [1995, c. 671, §13 (NEW).]

C. Prior to independently prescribing noncontrolled legend drugs, a naturopathic doctor shall establish and complete a 12-month collaborative relationship with a licensed allopathic or osteopathic physician to review the naturopathic doctor's prescribing practices. The board shall further define the terms of the collaborative relationship by rule. [1995, c. 671, §13 (NEW).]

[ 1995, c. 671, §13 (NEW) .]

5. Prohibition. A naturopathic doctor may not:

A. Prescribe, dispense or administer any substance or device identified in Schedule I, II, III, IV or V as described in the federal Controlled Substance Act, 21 United States Code, Sections 801 to 971 (1988), or any controlled substances or devices; [1995, c. 671, §13 (NEW).]

B. Perform surgical procedures except those office procedures authorized by this chapter; [1995, c. 671, §13 (NEW).]

C. Practice emergency medicine except when a good Samaritan rendering gratuitous services in the case of emergency and except for the care of minor injuries; or [1995, c. 671, §13 (NEW).]

D. Practice or claim to practice medicine and surgery, osteopathy, dentistry, podiatry, optometry, chiropractic, physical therapy or any other system or method of treatment not authorized in this chapter. [1995, c. 671, §13 (NEW).]

[ 1995, c. 671, §13 (NEW) .]

SECTION HISTORY

1995, c. 671, §13 (NEW).