Can Naturopathic Doctors Prescribe Medication? A State-by-State Guide

Yes, in some states. Licensed naturopathic doctors (NDs) can prescribe medication only where state law gives them prescriptive authority, and the scope varies widely. Arizona, Oregon and New Mexico let NDs prescribe most prescription drugs and some controlled substances. Other states limit NDs to a short list of drugs or to prescribing under a physician. In some licensed states, and in every state that doesn't license NDs (including New York), they can't prescribe at all.

The table below shows each jurisdiction's rules, with a source for every row. It was last reviewed in October 2026.

The short version: three tiers

• Broad authority: Arizona, Oregon, New Mexico, New Hampshire and Washington. NDs can prescribe most prescription drugs and at least some controlled substances. Washington's controlled-substance list is narrow: codeine and testosterone products only.
• Limited authority: California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont and DC. NDs prescribe from a set list (a formulary), under physician supervision, protocol or a collaborative agreement, or after individual board approval or endorsement.
• No authority to prescribe prescription drugs: Alaska, Connecticut and Rhode Island; Massachusetts and Minnesota, where NDs may use nonprescription drugs but the rules bar prescription drugs and controlled substances; Pennsylvania, where none is documented; Wisconsin, whose law lists no prescription-drug authority for its limited-scope NDs; and Puerto Rico, where NDs may recommend or prescribe only natural products that don't need a prescription. NDs also have no prescribing authority in states that don't license them, including New York.
• Unclear: Montana's statute and board rule conflict.

Licensing is not the same as prescribing. Twenty-three states license (20) or register (3) naturopathic doctors, plus DC and Puerto Rico; the U.S. Virgin Islands passed a law in 2001 but has no operating board (AANP). The AMA counts at least 24 states plus DC (AMA, 2024), so sources differ slightly. A 2023 Connecticut legislative research report found that 15 licensing states gave NDs some prescriptive authority (CT OLR, 2023). For the full licensing picture, see states where naturopathic doctors are licensed.

State-by-state table (last reviewed October 2026)

"Prescription drugs" here means legend drugs: medicines that need a prescription. "Controlled substances" are drugs on the federal DEA schedules. Rules change; confirm with the state board before you rely on a row.

New York: NDs can't prescribe. New York does not license naturopathic doctors. The sponsor memo for the current licensing bill says that because the state doesn't regulate NDs, anyone can claim the title (S8714). That bill and its Assembly version, A10064, were sent to the Higher Education committees in January 2026 and have not moved since. An ND practicing in New York has no prescriptive authority, even if they hold a license from another state. The AANP has said NDs in New York can work only as consultants (AANP, 2022).

If you see a naturopathic doctor in New York and need a prescription, it has to come from a clinician whose New York license includes prescribing, such as an MD or DO. You can look up New York professional licenses through the NYSED Office of the Professions. Browse naturopathic doctors in New York to see each practitioner's listed credentials.

Can naturopathic doctors write prescriptions?

Only licensed NDs, and only in a state whose law grants it. Where they can't, NDs typically work with diet, supplements and referrals, and send you to another clinician when you need a prescription drug.

In a few states, ND prescribing also depends on a physician. California NDs need a supervising physician for drugs other than hormones and epinephrine for anaphylaxis. Kansas NDs need a written physician protocol. Maine NDs need 12 months of collaboration with an MD or DO first. Arizona, Oregon and Washington have no such requirement (CT OLR, 2023). North Dakota NDs need a prescribing endorsement, which requires a collaborative agreement with a supervising physician and a pharmacology exam (NDCC 43-58-08.1).

Wondering about weight-loss drugs? See whether naturopaths can prescribe Ozempic, including the without-diabetes question and compounded semaglutide.

Arizona: the broadest scope

Arizona is often described as having the broadest ND prescribing scope in the country (California formulary report, 2025). Under A.R.S. 32-1501, licensed NDs can prescribe most drug classes, including antibiotics and Schedule III–V controlled substances. The law excludes:

• Schedule I and II controlled substances (with a narrow exception for morphine);
• cancer chemotherapy drugs;
• antipsychotics;
• IV prescription drugs, except vitamins, minerals, nutrients, chelation and emergency drugs.

To prescribe controlled substances, an Arizona ND must hold a DEA registration and register with the state's Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program (CSPMP). Arizona has required pharmacology training and an exam before prescribing since 2005 (California formulary report, 2025). You can look up an Arizona ND through the Arizona naturopathic board.

Controlled substances: which states, which schedules

Most licensing states don't let NDs prescribe controlled substances at all. Where they can, the scope is narrow and differs by state:

• Oregon: Schedules II–V for DEA-registered NDs, if the drug is on the formulary.
• Arizona: Schedules III–V.
• New Mexico: Schedules III–V after a pharmacy exam, excluding opioids and benzodiazepines.
• New Hampshire: certain controlled substances listed on its formulary.
• California: Schedules III–V, only under physician supervision.
• Washington: codeine and testosterone products only. Claims that Washington NDs prescribe stronger narcotics or amphetamines are wrong (RCW 18.36A.020).
• Utah: testosterone only.
• Idaho: testosterone only, for hormone replacement, gender dysphoria or hypogonadism (IDAPA 24.33.04).
• North Dakota: testosterone only, and only for NDs with a prescribing endorsement (NDCC 43-58-08).
• Vermont: controlled "natural medicines" only, not synthetic drugs.
• Montana: disputed. The statute limits ND prescribing to listed substances and a board formulary, but the board's rule says NDs with a DEA registration may prescribe Schedule II to V drugs (ARM 24.111.511). Ask the board.

Every ND who prescribes controlled substances also needs a DEA registration, and some states add their own steps. Washington, for example, requires board approval and either a DEA registration from another state or at least four hours of graduate-level pharmacology instruction before an ND gets one (WAC 246-836-211).

What naturopathic doctors can't prescribe

Even in the broadest states, some drugs are off-limits:

• Arizona: Schedule I and II drugs, cancer chemotherapy, antipsychotics, and most IV prescription drugs.
• Oregon: general anesthetics, injectable ketamine for general anesthesia, listed chemotherapy drugs, and mifepristone and misoprostol as abortifacients (OAR 850-060-0215).
• New Mexico: opioids, natural opium derivatives such as codeine, and benzodiazepines.
• Washington: any controlled substance other than codeine and testosterone products. Treating cancer is outside ND scope (RCW 18.36A.040).

In formulary states, the rule is simpler: if a drug isn't on the list, the ND can't prescribe it.

Hormones, testosterone and bioidentical hormones

Hormones are one of the most common reasons people ask about ND prescribing. The rules split testosterone from other hormones, because testosterone is a controlled substance:

• California: NDs may prescribe natural and synthetic hormones on their own, without physician supervision (BPC 3640.7; California board).
• Hawaii and Utah: hormones are on the formulary, except testosterone in Hawaii. Utah allows testosterone as its one controlled substance.
• Idaho: testosterone is excluded from the formulary, except in physiologic doses for hormone replacement, gender dysphoria or hypogonadism, with regular lab checks (IDAPA 24.33.04).
• Washington and New Mexico: testosterone products are allowed (New Mexico after the pharmacy exam).
• DC: NDs may not prescribe controlled substances, except natural medicines the law authorizes (17 DCMR 5210.3). We could not find the current formulary, so ask the ND whether it includes any hormone you need.

What if your state doesn't license NDs?

Then no naturopath there can prescribe prescription drugs, whatever their training. The word "naturopath" covers two different groups (NCCIH):

• Licensed naturopathic doctors complete a four-year doctoral program at an accredited school, pass national board exams, and hold a state license where one exists.
• Traditional naturopaths train in non-accredited programs and aren't eligible for licensure.

In most states without licensing, practitioners may call themselves naturopaths as long as they don't claim a state license (CT OLR, 2023). Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee are exceptions: they ban the practice, and in Florida using an ND-type title without a license is a felony (Fla. Stat. 462.17). A licensed ND who moves to an unlicensed state, such as New York, can't prescribe there either. A prescription drug needs a prescriber authorized under that state's law.

What training NDs need to prescribe

Licensed NDs graduate from a four-year doctoral program accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) and pass the national NPLEX board exams (California board, 2026). Several states add prescribing-specific requirements:

• Arizona: pharmacology training and an exam.
• Oregon: a separate NPLEX pharmacology exam or a state pharmacology exam (Oregon board).
• New Mexico: a pharmacy exam approved by the board.
• Idaho: 45 pharmacology credits and individual board approval.

Organized medicine disagrees with expanding ND prescribing. The American Academy of Family Physicians opposes widening ND scope where NDs are licensed (AAFP). The AMA says it is staunchly opposed to expanding ND scope and has testified against ND prescribing bills in Connecticut and Alaska, citing differences in residency and clinical training (AMA, 2024). For how ND training compares with medical school, see whether a naturopathic doctor is a real doctor.

How to check your state's rules

1. Find your state in the table above and open the source link.
2. Check the state's naturopathic board or licensing agency for the current formulary or scope rules. The AANP's regulated-states page lists the state boards.
3. Look up your ND's license on the board's website and confirm it's active.
4. Ask the ND directly what they can prescribe in your state, and whether they need physician supervision or board approval for it.

Our guide on how to find and vet a naturopathic doctor covers the other checks worth making before a first visit.

Recent and pending changes

• Colorado: SB25-032, which would have added prescription drugs and some controlled substances, failed in committee on February 6, 2025 (Colorado General Assembly).
• Connecticut: SB 1069 (2025) would let NDs prescribe. It has been referred to the Public Health committee with no further action.
• New York: licensing bills S8714 and A10064 were introduced in January 2026 and are in committee.
• Washington: HB 1888 (2025–26) was retained in committee in January 2026 (Washington Legislature).
• California: SB 1303 was signed on September 20, 2026, as Chapter 430 of 2026. It amended section 3686 of the Business and Professions Code, moving the naturopathic practice act's repeal date from January 1, 2027 to January 1, 2031 (SB 1303 status). The state's online code may still show the old date until it is updated. SB 1303 did not amend BPC 3640.5, the main ND prescribing section. Check the California board for current rules.
• New Jersey: S904 (2026), the Naturopathic Doctors Licensing Act, would create a State Board of Naturopathic Examiners and license NDs. It was introduced and referred to the Senate Commerce Committee on January 13, 2026 (NJ bill status, checked October 10, 2026).

Common questions

Can naturopathic doctors prescribe antibiotics?

In some states. Arizona allows all drug classes outside its listed exclusions, so antibiotics are included. New Mexico allows all prescription drugs after the pharmacy exam. In formulary states, it depends on whether the list includes them. In states without prescribing authority, the answer is no.

Can naturopathic doctors prescribe peptides?

It depends on the product. A peptide that is a prescription drug falls under the same state rules as any other prescription drug. Ask the ND exactly which product it is, whether it's FDA-approved, and which pharmacy makes it.

Can an ND be my primary care provider?

No source we found supports a blanket "primary care" status for NDs. New Mexico's law limits licensed NDs to primary care in collaboration with a physician. The AAFP says NDs should not be considered primary care physicians. See whether a naturopathic doctor is a real doctor for more.

Can naturopathic doctors order lab tests?

Lab ordering follows separate rules from prescribing. See whether naturopathic doctors can order lab tests.

Can NDs refer you to specialists?

An ND can recommend that you see a specialist. Whether your insurance accepts that as a formal referral depends on your plan, so ask the plan and the ND before you book.

Will insurance cover what an ND prescribes?

Coverage of the drug and coverage of the ND visit are separate questions. See what naturopathic care costs and whether insurance covers it.

What to do next

• If your state lets NDs prescribe, find a naturopathic doctor and check their license before you book.
• If you're in New York, browse naturopathic doctors in New York for non-prescription care, and plan to get any prescriptions from an MD, DO or other licensed prescriber. Our functional medicine doctors directory lists each practitioner's credentials.
• See a medical doctor if you need a drug outside your ND's scope, if you take several prescription drugs, or if a condition is getting worse.

Last reviewed: October 2026