§ 4121. Definitions

As used in this chapter:

(1) “Acupuncture” means the insertion of fine needles through the skin at certain points on the body, with or without the application of electric current or the application of heat to the needles or skin, or both, for the purpose of promoting health and balance as defined by traditional and modern Oriental theories.

(2) “Approved naturopathic medical college” means a college that grants a degree of doctor of naturopathic medicine or doctor of naturopathy:

(A) is accredited by the Council of Naturopathic Medical Education, its successor, or other accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education;

(B) has attained candidate for accreditation status with such agency; or

(C) meets educational standards essentially equivalent to those established by such accrediting agency.

(3) “Director” means the Director of the Office of Professional Regulation.

(4) “Disciplinary action” means any action taken by an administrative law officer established in 3 V.S.A. § 129(j) against a licensee or applicant on a finding of unprofessional conduct by the licensee or applicant. “Disciplinary action” includes issuance of warnings and all sanctions including denial, suspension, revocation, limitation, or restriction of licenses, and other similar limitations.

(5) “Natural” means present in, produced by, or derived from nature.

(6) “Naturopathic childbirth” means uncomplicated natural home birth assisted by a naturopathic physician.

(7) [Repealed.]

(8) “Naturopathic medicine” or “the practice of naturopathic medicine” means a system of health care that utilizes education, natural medicines, and natural therapies to support and stimulate a patient’s intrinsic self-healing processes and to prevent, diagnose, and treat human health conditions, injuries, and pain. In connection with such system of health care, an individual licensed under this chapter may:

(A) Administer or provide for preventative and therapeutic purposes nonprescription medicines, topical medicines, botanical medicines, homeopathic medicines, counseling, hypnotherapy, nutritional and dietary therapy, naturopathic physical medicine, naturopathic childbirth, therapeutic devices, barrier devices for contraception, and prescription medicines authorized by this chapter.

(B) Use diagnostic procedures commonly used by physicians in general practice, including physical and orificial examinations, electrocardiograms, diagnostic imaging techniques, phlebotomy, clinical laboratory tests and examinations, and physiological function tests.

(9) “Naturopathic physical medicine” means the use of the physical agents of air, water, heat, cold, sound, and light, and the physical modalities of electrotherapy, biofeedback, acupuncture, diathermy, ultraviolet light, ultrasound, hydrotherapy, and exercise. “Naturopathic physical medicine” also includes naturopathic manipulation and mobilization therapy if, in the opinion of the Director, the naturopathic physician’s education emphasized the importance of the neuromusculoskeletal structure and manipulative therapy in the maintenance and restoration of health. Naturopathic medicine does not include the practice of physical therapy, physical rehabilitation, or chiropractic.

(10) “Naturopathic physician” is a person who practices naturopathic medicine and is licensed under this chapter.

(11) “Prescription medicine” means any human drug, including finished dosage forms and active ingredients subject to Section 503(b) of the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, required by federal law or regulation to be dispensed only by prescription.

(12) “Topical medicines” mean medicines applied to the surface of the body and include topical analgesics, anesthetics, antiseptics, scabicides, antifungals, antibacterials, cryo-agents, and anti-inflammatory agents.

(13) “Naturopathic pharmacology examination” means a test administered by the Director or the Director’s designee, the passage of which is required to obtain the special license endorsement under subsection 4125(d) of this chapter. (Added 1995, No. 171 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1997, No. 40, § 49; 2001, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 32, eff. June 13, 2002; 2005, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), § 45; 2007, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), § 37; 2009, No. 25, § 12; 2011, No. 116 (Adj. Sess.), § 57.)