2023 Tennessee Code
Title 63 - PROFESSIONS OF THE HEALING ARTS (§§ 63-1-NEW — 63-32-119)
Chapter 6 - MEDICINE AND SURGERY (§§ 63-6-NEW — 63-6-1207)
Part 2 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 63-6-201 — 63-6-248)
Section 63-6-205 - Practice of naturopathy

• (a) It is unlawful for any person to practice naturopathy in this state.

• (b) "Naturopathy" means nature cure or health by natural methods and is defined as the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human injuries, ailments and disease by the use of such physical forces as air, light, water, vibration, heat, electricity, hydrotherapy, psychotherapy, dietetics or massage and the administration of botanical and biological drugs.

• (c) In no event shall naturopathy mean the sale of herbs or natural health information exchanges provided as a service so long as:
  • (1) The sale or provision of information exchanges is not conducted for the purpose of the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of any physical ailment or physical injury to or deformity of another; and
  • (2) In any instance involving natural health information exchanges, the seller obtains a signed acknowledgement from the buyer that the seller is neither a licensed practitioner of the healing arts in this state, nor meets the recognized qualification criteria that would allow the provision of any form of diagnosis, treatment recommendation or medical care in this state. For the purposes of meeting the requirements of this section, the seller shall keep the signed acknowledgement from the buyer on file for a period of three (3) years.

• (d) A violation of this section is a Class B misdemeanor.

• (e) This section does not apply to persons who comply with the regulatory laws of the state with respect to the practice of the various healing arts.

Acts 1947, ch. 2, §§ 1, 2; mod. C. Supp. 1950, § 6940.1 (Williams, § 7025.4); T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 63-609; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 112; 2009 , ch. 416, § 1; 2012 , ch. 745, § 1.