Requirements | Frequently Asked Questions
Requirements
Naturopathic physicians are required to complete 60 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to maintain their license. Visit WAC 246-836-080 to ensure you remain compliant with CE requirements and regulations.
Pharmacology
Upon renewal, a licensee must complete a minimum of 15 continuing education hours every two years on the subject of pharmacology.
- Eligible Pharmacology Course Content
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- Legend substances as defined in RCW 69.41.010;
- Controlled substances in chapter 69.50 RCW;
- Biopharmacology, which is the study of medicinal or drug products manufactured in, extracted from, or semi-synthesized from biological sources;
- Pharmacognosy, which is the study of medicinal drugs derived from plants or other natural sources;
- Contraindications or interactions of drug-to-drug, drug-to-herb, or drug-to-nutrient; or
- Other subjects approved by the board.
Suicide Prevention Requirement
Newly licensed naturopathic physicians must complete a one-time six-hour course on suicide prevention. This course must be completed by the second CE cycle due date after being issued their first license. Approved courses are on the department's Suicide Prevention Training for Health Professionals webpage.
Health Equity Requirement
Starting in currently licensed professionals’ first, full continuing education (CE) reporting cycle after January 1, 2024, you must complete a minimum of two hours of CE training in health equity every four years. For more information visit part 15 of chapter 246-12 WAC.
Frequently Asked Questions
General
- Do I need to send copies of certificates of completion when I renew?
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No. You must sign an affidavit of compliance that is on the renewal notice. Renewals are required annually, and the affidavit of compliance is required every two years.
- If I don't know if I will be able to meet the requirement, may I get an extension of time to complete my continuing education requirement?
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WAC 246-836-080(7) allows naturopathic physicians to request an extension of continuing education requirements due to emergent or unusual circumstances. Such requests should be made several weeks before the due date to prevent delays in processing license renewals. Request must be made in writing and sent to the Board of Naturopathy program manager either by email at naturopathy@doh.wa.gov or by mail to:
Washington Board of Naturopathy
PO Box 47852
Olympia, WA 98504-7852
Pre-recorded Courses
- Does “pre-recorded” include web-based courses that were never actually “live” presentations, such as Dr. Journal or UpToDate?
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Yes. Courses that are asynchronous learning or web-based are considered “pre-recorded” so long as the courses meet the accrediting source requirements of the various categories.
- For naturopathic-focused CE (Category 1), will pre-recorded offerings count?
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Yes, so long as there is a mechanism in the course that triggers the issuance of a certificate.
- Is this true for general medicine CME (Category 2) too?
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Yes, so long as there is a mechanism in the course that triggers the issuance of a certificate.
Health Equity
- Does this requirement change the total number of CE hours required?
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No. The requirement does not change the total number of CE hours required. The health equity CE training requirement will be included in the existing 60 hours required per WAC 246-836-080.
- Where can I find the training?
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We identified a list of free training courses that meet the minimum requirement. The list will be updated on a regular basis. The list is on the Department of Health's Health Equity Continuing Education webpage.
- Can I take a course that is not listed on Department of Health’s Health Equity Continuing Education website?
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Yes. Your course must meet the educational requirements listed in WAC 246-12-830 and RCW 43.70.613.
Pharmacology
- Do the 15 hours of pharmacology need to be obtained separately or are they part of the overall CE requirements?
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They are part of the overall requirement and can be fulfilled through any of the Categories.
- How do I document pharmacology if it isn't designated as such on my certificate, like courses that are Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) accredited?
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Acceptable documentation includes course completion certificates, transcripts, course descriptions, course brochures, or registration forms.
Teaching CE
- The rule states “one full-time work week” equals one continuing education hour. Does this have to be full-time employment?
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No, to count teaching hours, the individual is not required to be a full-time employed teacher or faculty member.
- Can it be cumulative? For example, if I am a part-time instructor and only work 20 hours per month, will 2 months as an instructor equal one continuing education hour?
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Yes. The teaching hours are cumulative; once 40 hours are reached, these hours equal one continuing education hour for reporting purposes.
- How do I – or can I – claim hours for teaching pharmacology courses?
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Yes, if the course being taught qualifies as a pharmacology course. The teaching hours are subject to the calculation indicated above (a cumulative 40 teaching hours equals 1 hour of continuing education for reporting purposes).