Authoritative Institutional Statements on the Illegitimacy of Naturopathy
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): Personal SubStack
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2026/07/07
Fifteen major medical organizations and government agencies express concerns about naturopathy, citing insufficient scientific evidence, limited clinical education, inconsistent residency training, inadequate pharmacological preparation, and potential patient safety risks. Their policy statements generally oppose expanded prescribing authority or licensure unless education, evidence, and training meet standards comparable to physician-led medical care.
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- American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
Excerpt from Policy:
“Governmental endorsement of naturopaths through licensure will jeopardize the health and safety of patients.”
Source: AAFP Formal Policy on Naturopathic Practice.
- American Medical Association (AMA)
Excerpt from Report:
“When all is said and done, the AMA believes that naturopaths lack the education and training necessary to safely diagnose and prescribe medications to patients.”
Source: AMA Scope of Practice Advocacy Report, Across the Nation, the Fight’s On to Protect Physician-Led Care.
- Washington State Department of Health
Excerpt from Sunrise Review Draft:
“The proposal does not demonstrate sufficient minimum education and training to safely prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances.”
Source: Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH), Naturopathic Physician Scope of Practice Sunrise Review Report.
- Australian Medical Association
Excerpt from Position Statement:
“The AMA is concerned patients are often insufficiently aware that a majority of complementary and alternative treatments lack adequate scientific evidence for effectiveness. Accessing these treatments without professional medical guidance introduces potential risk to patients.”
Source: Australian Medical Association, Position Statement on Complementary and Alternative Treatments.
- U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW)
Excerpt from Report to Congress:
“Naturopathic theory and practice are not based upon the body of basic knowledge related to health, disease, and health care that has been accepted widely by the scientific community.”
Source: U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Independent Practitioners Under Medicare (1968).
- American College of Surgeons (ACS)
Excerpt from Policy Brief:
“This approach jeopardizes the safety and quality of healthcare delivered to patients.”
Source: ACS Scope of Practice Statement on Non-Physician Licensure and Expansion.
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Excerpt from Clinical Report:
“There is currently little evidence on the use of naturopathy in medical conditions in children.”
Source: AAP Clinical Report, Pediatric Integrative Medicine (Pediatrics, Vol. 140, No. 3).
- Kansas State Board of Healing Arts
Excerpt from Findings:
“Less than 10% of naturopaths participate in an approved residency. These residencies last for one year, with a lack of standardization across programs.”
Source: Kansas State Board of Healing Arts Report on Naturopathic Education & Clinical Training.
- Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS)
Excerpt from Resolution/Policy:
“The mechanism of action and the efficacy of many naturopathic treatment modalities are not scientifically supported.”
Source: ISMS Legislative Advocacy Brief on Naturopathic Scope Expansion.
- Florida Medical Association (FMA)
Excerpt from Legislative Report:
“Would legitimize a profession that does not believe in or study modern medicine. It is an egregious and dangerous scope of practice expansion.”
Source: FMA Session Report on House Bill 843 / Senate Bill 898 (Naturopathic Scope).
- California Medical Association (CMA)
Excerpt from Advocacy Statement:
“A dangerous expansion of naturopathic scope of practice,” involving concerns about “patient safety and insufficient clinical training.”
Source: CMA Legislative Alert on SB 1106 / AB 2097.
- Washington State Medical Association (WSMA)
Excerpt from Testimony:
“A naturopath’s education and training do not include the comprehensive medical and pharmacological background needed to safely prescribe controlled substances.”
Source: WSMA Written Comments on Naturopathic Prescribing Authority (WA Sunrise Review).
- Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS)
Excerpt from Statement:
“Licensing won’t protect patients because naturopathy lacks standards for proper care.”
Source: MMS Legislative Testimony on Proposed Naturopathic Licensure.
- Kansas Medical Society (KMS)
Excerpt from Policy Position:
“They do not have the breadth and depth of training in these areas to ensure safety.”
Source: KMS Position Statement on Scope of Practice & Non-Physician Prescribing.
- Colorado Medical Society (CMS)
Excerpt from Policy Manual:
“The Colorado Medical Society opposes the licensing of naturopaths.”
Source: CMS Policy Manual, Policy RES-09.01 (Scope of Practice: Naturopathy).
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