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chapter-455•Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 455 — Naturopathic Medicine
chapter-455Haw. Rev. Stat. ch. 455CodeJan 1, 1925
Division 2. Business — Title 25. 25a
Hawaii Revised Statutes as published by the Hawaii State Legislature (files updated 1/5/2026 7:15 PM).
As used in this chapter:
"Behavioral medicine" means therapy techniques including biofeedback, relaxation training, hypnosis, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and cognitive therapy.
"Board" means the board of naturopathic medicine.
"Common diagnostic procedures" means the use of venipuncture consistent with the practice of naturopathic medicine, commonly used diagnostic modalities consistent with naturopathic practice, taking of health history, physical examination, radiography, laboratory medicine, and obtaining samples of human tissue as authorized as a minor office procedure.
"Continuing education courses" means courses approved by a professional association or organization representing a licensed profession whose program objectives are related to naturopathic medicine; provided that the professional association or organization is approved by the board.
"Department" means the department of commerce and consumer affairs.
"Diagnosis" means using all recognized and accepted physical and laboratory diagnostic procedures including the taking of blood for diagnostic purposes.
"Disaster condition" means a sudden catastrophic event that overwhelms public order, causes loss of property or life, and exceeds or disrupts the capabilities of available medical resources to provide medical care within a community.
"Homeopathic" means minute doses of substances that have been highly diluted and shaken according to standardized pharmaceutical methods.
"Hygiene and immunization" means the use of preventative techniques including personal hygiene, asepsis, public health, and, to the extent allowed by rule, immunizations.
"Legend drug" means any drug falling within section 503(b)(1) of the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and which is required to be labeled with the statement "Rx only".
"Manual manipulation" or "mechanotherapy" means manipulation of a part or the whole of the body by hand or mechanical means.
"Minor office procedures" means care and procedures relative to superficial lacerations, lesions, and abrasions, and the removal of foreign bodies located in superficial structures not including the eye; and the topical and parenteral use of substances consistent with the practice of naturopathic medicine, in accordance with rules established by the board.
"Naturopathic formulary" means vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements, botanical medicines, homeopathic medicines, hormones, and those legend drugs consistent with naturopathic medical practice.
"Naturopathic medicine" means the practice of the art and science of diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disorders of the body by support, stimulation, or both, of the natural processes of the human body. The practice of naturopathic medicine includes the prescription, administration, dispensing, and use of nutrition and food science, physical modalities, manual manipulation, parenteral therapy, minor office procedures, naturopathic formulary, hygiene and immunization, contraceptive devices, common diagnostic procedures, and behavioral medicine of the type taught in education and training at naturopathic medical colleges; provided that the use of parenteral therapy and performance of minor office procedures shall not be allowed until the board adopts rules in accordance with chapter 91 pursuant to section 455-6.
"Naturopathic physician" means a person who holds a current license issued under this chapter to practice naturopathic medicine.
"Nutrition and food science" means the prevention and treatment of disease or other human conditions through the use of diet.
"Parenteral therapy" means the administration of substances by means other than through the gastrointestinal tract, including intravenous, subcutaneous and intramuscular injection.
"Physical modalities" means use of physical, chemical, electrical, and other means, including but not limited to heat, cold, air, light, including lasers, water in any of its forms, sound, massage, and therapeutic exercise.
"Radiography" means the ordering of radiographic diagnostic and other imaging studies, including but not limited to computed tomography scans, x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography scans, and ultrasounds. The term also means and includes the taking and interpreting of x-rays.
[L 1925, c 77, pt of §1; RL 1935, §1300; RL 1945, §2651; RL 1955, §66-1; HRS §455-1; am L 1986, c 76, §5; am L 1987, c 281, §2(1); am L 1994, c 71, §1; am L Sp 2009, c 22, §3; am L 2014, c 222, §1]
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit or restrict:
(1) The practice of a profession by individuals who are licensed, certified, or registered under the laws of this State who are performing services within their authorized scope of practice;
(2) The practice of naturopathic medicine by an individual employed by the government of the United States while the individual is engaged in the performance of duties required of the individual by the laws and regulations of the United States;
(3) The practice of naturopathic medicine by students enrolled in a school that meets the requirements of section 455-3. The performance of naturopathic medicine by students shall be pursuant to a course of instruction or assignments from an instructor and under the supervision of an instructor who is a naturopathic physician licensed pursuant to this chapter; and
(4) The practice by a doctor of naturopathic medicine duly registered or licensed in another state, territory, or the District of Columbia who is called into this State for consultation with a licensed naturopathic physician, including in-person, mail, electronic, telephonic, fiber-optic, or other telehealth consultation; provided that:
(A) The naturopathic physician from another state shall not open an office, appoint a place to meet patients, or receive calls within this State for the provision of care for a patient who is located in this State; and
(B) The licensed naturopathic physician of this State retains control and remains responsible for the provision of care for the patient who is located in this State.
[L Sp 2009, c 22, pt of §1; am L 2014, c 159, §9]
(a) Any person desiring to practice naturopathic medicine shall be licensed under this chapter. To obtain a license under this chapter, a person shall submit a completed application prescribed by the board; provide the information required under this chapter, rules of the board, and other applicable laws and rules; and pay a nonrefundable application fee and other fees provided in rules adopted by the department in accordance with chapter 91.
(b) To qualify for licensure, an applicant shall have met the education, examination, and other requirements prescribed by this chapter, the rules of the board, and other applicable laws and rules.
[L 1925, c 77, pt of §1; RL 1935, §1301; am L 1937, c 221, §1; RL 1945, §2652; RL 1955, §66-2; am L 1957, c 316, §6; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §15; am L 1963, c 114, §3; HRS §455-2; am L 1969, c 106, §1; am L 1982, c 204, §8; am L 1984, c 7, §38; am L 1986, c 76, §6; am L 1987, c 281, §2(2); am L 2002, c 14, §1; am L Sp 2009, c 22, §4]
Each applicant shall be a graduate of a school, university, or college of naturopathic medicine that has received candidacy status with, or has been accredited by, a regional or a national accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education; provided that any applicant who graduated from a college of naturopathic medicine prior to 1987 shall be deemed qualified if the college was approved by the board prior to 1987 and has been accredited by a regional or national accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.
[L 1925, c 77, pt of §1; RL 1935, §1302; am L 1935, c 221, §2; RL 1945, §2653; am L 1949, c 214, §1; RL 1955, §66-3; HRS §455-3; am L 1985, c 66, §1; am L 1986, c 76, §7; am L 1987, c 281, §2(3); am L 1991, c 38, §1; am L 1994, c 29, §1; am L 2002, c 14, §2; am L Sp 2009, c 22, §5]
The governor shall appoint the board of naturopathic medicine, consisting of five members. Each member shall serve until the member's successor is appointed and qualified. Three members of the board, before appointment, shall have been licensed as a naturopathic physician in the State and two shall be public members. The members of the board may elect a chairperson and a vice-chairperson who shall each serve one year or until a successor is elected.
[L 1937, c 221, §3; RL 1945, §2654; RL 1955, §66-4; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §5; HRS §455-4; am L 1978, c 208, §6; gen ch 1985; am L 1986, c 76, §8; am L 1992, c 9, §1 and c 202, §103; am L Sp 2009, c 22, §6]
[Repealed]
[L 1992, c 9, §2]
In addition to any other powers and duties authorized by law, the board may:
(1) Adopt and use a seal to be affixed to all official acts of the board;
(2) Adopt, amend, or repeal rules in accordance with chapter 91 to carry out the purposes of this chapter; provided that all rules shall be approved by the governorand the director of commerce and consumer affairs; and provided further that the rules:
(A) May forbid acts or practices deemed by the board to be detrimental to the accomplishment of the purpose of this chapter;
(B) Shall establish standards of practice, care, and ethics; and
(C) Shall establish the education and training requirements for parenteral therapy and the standards to administer parenteral therapy, and establish examination standards and require the passage of an examination on minor office procedures, which standards and requirements shall take effect after December 31, 2009;
(3) Develop standards for licensure;
(4) Issue, renew, suspend, and revoke licenses and fine licensees;
(5) Investigate and conduct hearings regarding any violation of this chapter and any rules of the board;
(6) Maintain a record of its proceedings;
(7) Annually establish and publish a naturopathic formulary that has been approved by the board for prescription, administration, or dispensing by naturopathic physicians; and
(8) Do all things necessary to carry out the functions, powers, and duties set forth in this chapter.
[L 1949, c 214, §2; RL 1955, §66-6; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §19; HRS §455-6; am L 1969, c 106, §2; am L 1974, c 205, §2(16); am L 1978, c 162, §2; am L 1986, c 76, §10; am L 1987, c 281, §2(4); am L 1992, c 202, §104; am L Sp 2009, c 22, §7]
(a) The board shall specify the examination for licensure in its rules.
(b) The board shall contract with a professional testing agency to prepare, administer, and grade each part of the examination for licensure. Each applicant shall pass the examination that has been developed, validated, and tested for reliability by a professional testing agency selected by the board. The board shall provide in its rules the passing scores for each part of the examination.
(c) To be eligible to take the examination for licensure, an applicant shall have met the education requirements specified in section 455-3.
(d) An applicant may apply to take the examination for licensure and pay any required examination fees directly to the professional testing agency.
(e) The board shall set forth the requirements and limitations for reexamination, if any, in its rules.
[L 1937, c 221, §5; RL 1945, §2656; RL 1955, §66-7; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §19; HRS §455-7; am L 1969, c 106, §3; am L 1978, c 162, §3; am L 1985, c 66, §2; gen ch 1985; am L 1986, c 76, §11; am L 1987, c 281, §2(5); am L 1989, c 84, §1; am L 2002, c 14, §3]
(a) Licenses to practice naturopathic medicine shall be issued by the board to those who qualify according to this chapter. Naturopathic physicians licensed under this chapter shall observe and be subject to all state requirements relative to reporting births and all matters pertaining to the public health with equal rights and obligations as physicians, surgeons, and practitioners of other schools of medicine. These equal rights shall apply to all matters of public health, including the performance of medical examinations and evaluations.
(b) Every licensee shall renew the licensee's license on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year. Failure to renew the license on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year shall automatically constitute a forfeiture of the license; provided that the license shall be restored upon written application therefor together with payment of the renewal fee, all delinquent fees, a penalty fee, and, beginning with the December 31, 2017, renewal, satisfactory proof of compliance with the continuing education requirements set forth in this section.
(c) Beginning with the December 31, 2017, renewal and prior to every biennial renewal thereafter, each licensee shall complete at least thirty-five hours of continuing education courses within the two-year period preceding the renewal date, including a minimum of fifteen hours of continuing education courses in pharmacology within every licensing biennium.
(d) A licensee who graduated from a school, university, or college of naturopathic medicine pursuant to section 455-3 within one year of the licensee's first renewal period shall not be subject to the continuing education requirement for the first license renewal.
(e) Each licensee shall be responsible for maintaining the licensee's continuing education records, including but not limited to certificates of completion of the continuing education courses.
(f) Prior to December 31 of each odd-numbered year, each licensee shall:
(1) Complete the renewal form prescribed by the board and certify that the licensee has complied with the continuing education requirement of this section for the applicable renewal period; and
(2) Submit evidence of completion of the continuing education courses taken during the applicable renewal period to the board, including but not limited to certificates of completion. At a minimum, documentation shall contain the following information:
(A) Name of the licensee;
(B) Title of the continuing education course taken;
(C) Date that the continuing education course was taken;
(D) Name of the professional association or organization that approved the continuing education course;
(E) Number of hours for the course; and
(F) Number of hours for the course in pharmacology.
[L 1925, c 77, pt of §1; RL 1935, §1303; am L 1937, c 221, §6; RL 1945, §2657; RL 1955, §66-8; am L 1957, c 316, §7; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §19; HRS §455-8; am L 1969, c 106, §4; am L 1975, c 118, §18; am L 1978, c 162, §4; am L 1982, c 112, §5; am L 1984, c 7, §39; am L 1986, c 76, §12; am L 1990, c 77, §1; am L Sp 2009, c 22, §8; am L 2014, c 222, §2]
(a) If a public health emergency or disaster condition is declared by the governor, the board shall allow naturopathic physicians licensed in another state to provide temporary and limited naturopathic medicine in Hawaii under special provisions during the period of the declared public health emergency or disaster condition, subject to limitations and conditions as the governor and the board may prescribe.
(b) A limited and temporary license issued pursuant to this section shall be valid only for the period of the declared public health emergency or disaster condition.
(c) Out-of-state naturopathic physicians shall submit to the board the following information:
(1) Verification of a valid, permanent, current, and unrestricted license to practice naturopathic medicine in another state which is not the subject of a pending investigation by a state medical board, or another state or federal agency; and
(2) A valid United States passport or state-issued driver's license for photo identification.
[L Sp 2009, c 22, pt of §1]
§455-8.5 REPEALED. L 1992, c 202, §214.
Any person except a licensed naturopathic physician who practices, attempts to practice, or advertises the practice of naturopathic medicine, or any person who buys, sells, or fraudulently obtains any diploma or license to practice naturopathic medicine whether recorded or not, or any person who uses the title "natureopath", "naturopath", "doctor of naturopathy", "doctor of naturopathic medicine", "naturopathic healthcare", "naturopathic physician", "naturopathic medicine", "naturopathy", "naturopathic doctor", or "N.D.", or any word or title to induce the belief that the person is engaged in the practice of naturopathic medicine without complying with this chapter, or any person who violates this chapter, shall be fined a sum of not less than $500 nor more than $10,000 for each violation, which sum shall be collected in a civil action brought by the attorney general or the department on behalf of the State.
[L 1925, c 77, pt of §1; RL 1935, §1304; RL 1945, §2658; RL 1955, §66-9; HRS §455-9; am L 1978, c 162, §5; gen ch 1985; am L 1986, c 76, §13; am L 1989, c 85, §1; am L Sp 2009, c 22, §9]
Unless otherwise expressly provided, the remedies or penalties provided by this chapter are cumulative to each other and to the remedies or penalties available under all other laws of this State.
[L 1986, c 76, §4]
(a) In addition to any other actions authorized by law, the board shall have the power to deny, revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew any license to practice naturopathic medicine applied for or issued by the board in accordance with this chapter, and to fine or otherwise discipline a licensee for any cause authorized by law, including but not limited to the following:
(1) Failing to meet or maintain the conditions and requirements necessary to qualify for the issuance of a license;
(2) Procuring, or aiding or abetting in procuring, an abortion that is unlawful under the laws of this State or that would be unlawful under the laws of this State if performed within this State;
(3) Employing any person to solicit patients;
(4) Obtaining a fee on the assurance that a manifestly incurable disease can be permanently cured;
(5) Betraying a patient's confidence;
(6) Making any untruthful and improbable statement in advertising one's naturopathic practice or business;
(7) False, fraudulent, or deceptive advertising;
(8) Being habituated to the excessive use of drugs or alcohol; or being addicted to, dependent on, or a habitual user of a narcotic, barbiturate, amphetamine, hallucinogen, or other drug having similar effects;
(9) Practicing naturopathic medicine while the ability to practice is impaired by alcohol, drug, physical disability, or mental instability;
(10) Procuring a license through fraud, misrepresentation, or deceit or knowingly permitting an unlicensed person to perform activities requiring a license;
(11) Professional misconduct or gross carelessness or manifest incapacity in the practice of naturopathic medicine;
(12) Conduct or practice contrary to recognized standard of ethics of the naturopathic profession;
(13) Using medical service or treatment that is inappropriate or unnecessary;
(14) Submitting to or filing with the board any notice, statement, or other document required under this chapter that is false or untrue or contains any material misstatement of fact, including any false certification of compliance with the continuing education requirement specified under section 455-8;
(15) Failure to report to the board any disciplinary action taken against the licensee in another jurisdiction within thirty days after the disciplinary action becomes final;
(16) Using the title "physician" without clearly identifying oneself as being a naturopathic physician;
(17) Prescribing, administering, and dispensing naturopathic formulary that are not included in the formulary established by the board under section 455-6; and
(18) Violation of any provision of this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter.
(b) Any fine imposed by the board after a hearing in accordance with chapter 91 shall be no less than $500 and no more than $10,000 for each violation.
[L 1986, c 76, §2; am L 1992, c 202, §105; am L Sp 2009, c 22, §10; am L 2014, c 222, §3; am L 2023, c 2, §9]
§455-12 REPEALED. L 1992, c 202, §215.
(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the board shall automatically revoke a license or deny an application to renew, restore, or reinstate a license under either of the following circumstances:
(1) The licensee has been convicted in any court in or outside of this State of any offense that, if committed or attempted in this State, based on the elements of the convicted offense, would have been punishable as one or more of the offenses described in chapter 846E; or
(2) The licensee has been required to register as a sex offender pursuant to chapter 846E, regardless of whether the related conviction has been appealed.
(b) The board shall notify the licensee of the license revocation or denial of application to renew, restore, or reinstate the license and of the right to elect to have a hearing as provided in subsection (c).
(c) Upon revocation of the license or denial of an application to renew, restore, or reinstate, the licensee may file a written request for a hearing with the board within ten days of the notice. The hearing shall be held within thirty days of the revocation or denial. The proceeding shall be conducted in accordance with chapter 91.
(d) For the purposes of enforcement of this section, a plea or verdict of guilty, or a conviction after a plea of nolo contendere, shall be deemed a conviction. The record of conviction shall be conclusive evidence of the fact that the conviction occurred.
(e) If the related conviction of the license holder is overturned upon appeal, the revocation or denial ordered pursuant to this section shall automatically cease. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the board from pursuing disciplinary action based on any cause other than the overturned conviction.
(f) Any final order of discipline taken pursuant to this section shall be a matter of public record.
(g) The board shall not restore, renew, or otherwise reinstate the license of a person under any of the following circumstances:
(1) The person has been required to register as a sex offender pursuant to chapter 846E, regardless of whether the conviction has been appealed; and
(2) The person engaged in the offense with a patient or client, or with a former patient or client if the relationship was terminated primarily for the purpose of committing the offense.
[L 2025, c 273, §14]
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