Maine Code § 32-12522

Scope of practice
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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.
[PL 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.
[PL 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.
[PL 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. [PL
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 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. [PL 2025, c. 150, §1 (AMD).]
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. [PL 1995, c. 671, §13 (NEW).]
[PL 2025, c. 150, §1 (AMD).]
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; [PL 1995, c. 671, §13 (NEW).]
B. Perform surgical procedures except those office procedures authorized by this chapter; [PL
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 [PL 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. [PL 1995, c. 671, §13 (NEW).]
[PL 1995, c. 671, §13 (NEW).]

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