HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1394
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to health care professionals.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1. The legislature finds that under existing law, continuing education requirements for naturopathic physicians only include courses approved by professional associations or organizations approved by the board of naturopathic medicine.  Certain course, which are otherwise accredited by a naturopathic medical school or another licensing board, are therefore not acceptable in Hawaii unless approved by a board-approved organization.  This has resulted in significant amounts of additional work for these board-approved organizations and confusion amongst Hawaii's naturopathic physicians regarding acceptable continuing education courses.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to clarify the list of acceptable institutions or organizations that can meet the continuing education requirements needed by naturopathic physicians for license renewal.

     SECTION 2.  Section 455-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definition of "continuing education courses" to read as follows:

     ""Continuing education courses" means courses approved by a state or province naturopathic licensing board; university, college, or institution of naturopathic medicine program accre4dited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education; or 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."

     SECTION 3. Section 455-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:

     "(f)  Prior to December 31 of each odd-numbered year, each license 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 state or province licensing board; university, college, or institution of

naturopathic medicine program; or 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."

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Naturopathic Medicine; Continuing Education; Licensure Requirements

 

Description:

Clarifies the list of acceptable institutions or organizations that can approve the continuing education courses needed by naturopathic physicians for license renewal.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.