Our Mission:

Health.

We’re working towards a healthier Kansas by advancing naturopathic medicine.

Meet our Leadership

The executive officers of the Kansas Association of Naturopathic Doctors are elected by their peers to guide and inspire the organization's vision, legislative action and strategic initiatives.

Katelyn Janssen-Roberts, ND

Executive Committee Secretary

Kansas City Integrative Health
11791 W. 112 St, Ste 100
Overland Park, KS 66210
913-214-6536

Charles Andrews, ND

Executive Committee Treasurer

Kansas City Integrative Health
11791 W. 112 St, Ste 100
Overland Park, KS 66210
913-214-6536

 2025 Legislative Update

Below is a summary of the two Kansas legislative bills related to naturopathic medicine in 2025, focusing on their content, intent, and legislative progress.

1. HB 2366 Expanding the scope of practice of naturopathic doctors, specifying continuing education requirements, increasing the required amount of professional liability insurance and modifying certain provisions relating to the licensure and regulations of naturopathic doctors

Summary:

• Purpose: This bill seeks to expand the scope of practice for naturopathic doctors in Kansas, updating the Naturopathic Doctor Licensure Act to reflect modern training and capabilities. It aims to allow NDs to provide a broader range of services, including additional therapeutic procedures, while revising licensure and regulatory provisions.

• Key Provisions (based on similar past bills and general intent):

  • Expands permissible activities for NDs, including limited prescriptive authority, advanced diagnostic testing, or minor procedures, aligning with their doctoral training.

  • Updates licensure (incluging malpractice and continuing education) requirements, streamlining renewals or disciplinary processes overseen by the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts.

  • Clarifies the definitions of naturopathic medicine practice.

• Intent: To enhance patient access to naturopathic care by allowing NDs to practice to the full extent of their education, particularly in underserved areas like rural Kansas, while ensuring regulatory oversight protects public safety.

Legislative Progress in 2025:

• Status: Stalled in committee without hearing.

• Available for action in 2026
  

2. HB2367: Adding NDs and LAcs to the Corporate Practice of Medicine Act

Summary:

• Purpose: This bill amends Kansas law to permit naturopathic doctors (NDs) and licensed acupuncturists (LAcs) to engage in the corporate practice of medicine. The Corporate Practice of Medicine Act traditionally restricts non-medical providers from owning or operating medical practices to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure patient care prioritizes health over profit. This bill would allow NDs (and possibly LAcs) to form or participate in professional corporations or partnerships with other healthcare providers, expanding their ability to operate practices or collaborate in multidisciplinary settings.

• Key Provisions:

  • Aims to modernize regulations, enabling NDs to integrate into broader healthcare systems, such as clinics or hospitals, as partners or owners.

  • Aims to enable NDs to hire MDs/DOs when needed for advisors or oversight for medical interventions (e.g. hiring a physician as a medical director)

• Intent: To remove barriers for NDs (and possibly LAcs) in establishing or joining medical practices, enhancing access to naturopathic care in Kansas by allowing greater collaboration with other healthcare professionals.

Legislative Progress in 2025:

• Status: Stalled in committee without hearing.

• Available for action in 2026

 You can change Kansas healthcare today because your voice and your right to choose naturopathic care matters.

Every email strengthens our case, building momentum to protect and expand naturopathic care across Kansas. This is a priority, backed by people like you who are informed, engaged, and ready to hold them accountable. Thank you.

How Are Naturopathic Doctors Trained?

Accredited naturopathic medical schools are four-year, in-residence, hands-on medical programs consisting of a minimum of 4,100 hours of class and clinical training. During naturopathic medical school, students are educated in the biomedical sciences as well as the latest advances in science in combination with natural approaches to therapy. They also study disease prevention and clinical techniques.

In addition to a standard medical curriculum, schools require their graduates to complete four years of training in disciplines such as clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, physical medicine, and counseling. For at least the final two years of their medical program, naturopathic medical students intern in clinical settings under the close supervision of licensed professionals.

Given the importance of hands-on, clinical experience for naturopathic medical students, the accrediting body for naturopathic medical colleges does not recognize degrees from online programs of study.
 
Differences between how MDs and DOs and naturopathic doctors are trained
 
The general educational structure for naturopathic doctors is comparable to that of conventional medical doctors (MDs) and osteopathic doctors (DOs). In all three medical programs, the first year emphasizes biomedical sciences such as anatomy and biochemistry. Second year classes focus on the diagnostic sciences, including areas such as evidence-based medicine and physiological assessment. All programs progressively increase students’ problem-based learning and integrated coursework, enabling students to learn how different concepts affect one another.
 
After the first two years, the curricula of the three medical programs focus on applying medical knowledge to real-life situations with simultaneous classroom studies supporting this training. During these later years, the education of MDs and DOs begins to differ from those of naturopathic doctors. For example, students of conventional medical complete clerkships, which are courses in various medical specialties. Although MD students see patients during these clerkships, their roles are primarily observational: they are not primarily responsible for patient care.
 
Third- and fourth-year naturopathic medical students have more opportunities for hands-on clinical training and practice, often at their schools’ teaching clinics and off-site clinics. This period of clinical training is essential to these students’ education—so much so that clinical training is introduced during the first and second years of education at several AANMC-member schools. As a result, naturopathic medical students graduate with experience in diagnosing and treating patients, even before they begin formal practice, unlike MD/DO counterparts.

A major difference between the training of the MDs and naturopathic doctors is medical residencies. MD residencies are mandated and regulated by conventional medical schools. As a result, many opportunities for residencies exist at a wide variety of medical facilities and are funded by the federal government. Naturopathic medical residencies are not nearly as common because they are not yet required by most states (Utah is an exception) or funded by the federal government. In place of a residency, many new naturopathic doctors choose to practice with or shadow an experienced doctor before setting up their own practices.

Like MDs, a growing number of naturopathic doctors choose to specialize or focus their practices. Specialty associations currently exist for Endocrinology, Environmental Medicine, Gastroenterology,  Pediatrics, Primary Care Physicians, Psychiatry, and Oncology. In addition, while practicing Family Medicine, many naturopathic doctors choose an area of focus based on a therapeutic, condition, or population subset.
 
Prerequisites
Prior to admission into an accredited naturopathic medical school, the typical entering student has completed three years of pre-medical training and earned a bachelor of science degree. Students are expected to have completed courses in English and the humanities as well as math, physics, and psychology, with a strong emphasis on chemistry and biology. In addition to prerequisite course work, prospective students must demonstrate appropriate observational and communication skills, motor function, intellectual-conceptual abilities, integrative and quantitative abilities, and behavioral and social maturity.

Accredited schools
 There are currently seven accredited schools with eight campus locations in the United States and Canada. A degree from an accredited medical school is required for licensure or certification by a state.

The following accrediting institutions provide accreditation services for naturopathic medical schools:
 
College accreditation is issued by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). All AANMC member schools have been accredited or are in candidate status for accreditation by an ED-approved regional accrediting agency.

Programmatic accreditation is issued by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME). All AANMC member schools have also been accredited—or are candidates for accreditation—by the CNME, the recognized accrediting body for naturopathic medical programs in North America.
 
The exam required to qualify for naturopathic doctor licensure is administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE). The Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) is a two-part examination. Only students and graduates from accredited or candidate naturopathic programs are eligible to sit for the NPLEX. Passing the NPLEX is required before a doctor of naturopathic medicine can be licensed by a state.
 
Licensure and certification
 Licensure and certification are the highest forms of regulation. They are designed to protect the public by ensuring that certain minimum competency requirements are met. They also set standards for the profession.

Currently 26 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands offer licensure or certification for naturopathic doctors. The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians maintains a list of states and territories that license or certify naturopathic doctors.
 

 Naturopathic Medicine in Kansas: A Remarkable Record of Trust and Safety Since 2003

Since naturopathic doctors (NDs) became licensed and regulated by the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts (BOHA) in 2003, there have been zero recorded complaints from patients or the broader community against NDs. A comprehensive review of BOHA board actions from 2003 to 2025 reveals that the only issues involving NDs relate to licensure requirements or misrepresentation, with no disciplinary actions stemming from patient care or community concerns. This impeccable record underscores the safety, professionalism, and trust that naturopathic medicine has earned in Kansas.

A Testament to Safe, Patient-Centered Care

Naturopathic medicine, a holistic healthcare system emphasizing prevention, natural therapies, and the body’s self-healing abilities, has thrived in Kansas for over two decades. This dedicated group of practitioners has achieved an extraordinary feat: not a single BOHA complaint from patients or community members in 22 years. This speaks volumes about the rigorous training, ethical standards, and patient-focused care that define naturopathic practice in the Sunflower State.

Why is this so impressive? Consider the context:

• Regulated Excellence: Since the Naturopathic Doctor Licensure Act (K.S.A. 65-7201 et seq.) took effect on January 1, 2003, NDs have been held to high standards by the BOHA. This includes a four-year doctoral program, passing the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination (NPLEX), mandatory malpractice insurance, and 50 annual hours of continuing education.

• Low-Risk Practice: Naturopathic medicine’s focus on non-invasive therapies—like nutritional counseling, herbal medicine, and lifestyle changes—contributes to its safety profile. The BOHA’s oversight ensures NDs stay within their defined scope, avoiding risky procedures like surgery or controlled substance prescriptions.

• Community Trust: The absence of complaints reflects strong patient satisfaction and community confidence in NDs, whether in Wichita, Overland Park, Topeka, or rural Kansas communities.

What the BOHA Record Shows

A thorough review of BOHA disciplinary actions from 2003 to 2025 confirms that NDs have faced no board actions related to patient care or community issues. The only documented issues involve:

• Licensure Compliance: Administrative matters, such as ensuring timely renewals or meeting education requirements.

• Misrepresentation: Rare cases where individuals may have used the title without proper licensure, quickly addressed by the BOHA to protect the public.

These findings highlight the professionalism of Kansas’s NDs and the effectiveness of BOHA’s regulatory framework. Unlike other healthcare fields where patient complaints, patient mismanagement, or scope violations may arise, naturopathic medicine stands out for its clean slate.

Why This Matters for Kansas Residents

For those exploring holistic healthcare options, this record offers peace of mind. Choosing a licensed ND in Kansas means partnering with a highly trained professional backed by a history of safety and trust. Here’s what this means for you:

• Safe, Natural Care: NDs provide gentle, evidence-informed treatments for conditions like chronic fatigue, digestive issues, stress, and more, without the risks of invasive procedures.

• Personalized Wellness: With a focus on treating the whole person—body, mind, and lifestyle—NDs empower patients to achieve long-term health.

• Trusted Professionals: The BOHA’s rigorous oversight ensures only qualified NDs practice, and their flawless complaint record reflects their commitment to ethical care.

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Naturopathic Medicine

Despite its small presence in Kansas, naturopathic medicine is poised for growth, driven by increasing demand for holistic, preventive care. Recent legislative efforts, aimed to expand NDs’ scope of practice and allow participation in corporate medical practices, reflecting growing recognition of their value. These bills signal a promising future where NDs could play an even larger role in addressing Kansas’s healthcare needs, especially in underserved rural areas.

The absence of complaints also counters misconceptions about naturopathic medicine. Critics, like some medical organizations, have raised concerns about ND training or scope, yet the BOHA’s data tells a different story: Kansas NDs are safe, compliant, and trusted by their communities.