Administrative Rules of Montana › Department 24 - LABOR AND INDUSTRY › Chapter 24.111 - ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CARE BOARD › Subchapter 24.111.5 - Licensing and Scope of Practice - Naturopathic Physicians › Rule 24.111.501 - MINIMUM NATUROPATHIC MEDICAL EDUCATION STANDARDS

Current through Register Vol. 13, July 5, 2024
(1) The board may approve a naturopathic
				medical college degree if it is obtained from a naturopathic medical program
				which meets the following minimum naturopathic medicine educational standards:
(a) The naturopathic medical college is or
				was incorporated in the United States under the laws of the state of its
				residence as a nonprofit, nonproprietary institution exempt from taxation by
				the IRS, due to its devotion to educational purposes. Foreign country
				naturopathic medical colleges must possess equivalent qualifications to those
				required of U.S. naturopathic medical colleges.
(b) The naturopathic medical college has or
				had formal authority from the appropriate state or provincial governmental
				agency to grant an N.D. or N.M.D. degree, and has as its major mission the
				education of naturopathic doctors and their preparation for
				licensing.
(c) The naturopathic
				medical college's objective shall be clearly stated and should address the
				preparation of naturopathic physicians to provide patient care and for
				licensing by state or provincial authorities. The curriculum shall encompass a
				minimum of four academic years of a full-time resident program of academic and
				clinical study of naturopathic medicine.
(d) Educational standards shall include
				instruction in a core program which requires each student to demonstrate
				competence in each of the following substantive content areas:
(i) The basic sciences program must include
				in-depth study and courses on human anatomy, physiology, biochemistry,
				pathology, pharmacology and pharmacognosy. A basic sciences program may also
				include, without limitation, courses in public health and naturopathic
				philosophy. Total hours in basic sciences must be a minimum of 1000 clock
				hours, with 12 clock hours equal to one quarter credit, or equivalent semester
				credit.
(ii) The clinical sciences
				program must include preparation of the student to diagnose the causes of human
				ailments and effective treatment of them using naturopathic medications and
				methods. A clinical sciences program may also include, without limitation,
				courses in acupuncture and office management. Total hours in clinical sciences
				must be a minimum of 1200 clock hours with 12 clock hours equal to one quarter
				credit, or equivalent semester credit. The clinical sciences program must
				include:
(A) diagnostic courses, which shall
				include physical, clinical, laboratory and radiological,
(B) therapeutic courses, which shall include
				materia medica (botanical medicine, homeopathy, emergency drugs), nutrition,
				physical medicine (including but not limited to naturopathic manipulative
				therapy and hydrotherapy), and psychological counseling,
(C) specialty courses, which shall include
				organ systems (cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, EENT, gastroenterology,
				orthopedics, neurology), human development (gynecology, natural childbirth,
				obstetrics, pediatrics, geriatrics), jurisprudence, medical emergencies, and
				minor surgery.
(iii) The
				clinical practicum program shall give the student experience in a clinical
				setting, under licensed supervision, in all aspects of naturopathic practice.
				The student shall, at a minimum, have primary care responsibility in the
				institution's teaching clinic and preceptorships in one or more practicing
				physician's offices. Total hours in clinical practicum must be a minimum of
				1000 clock hours, with 12 clock hours equal to one quarter credit, or
				equivalent semester credit.
(e) The naturopathic medical college must
				have an identifiable faculty. The faculty must have advanced or professional
				degrees in either the subject being taught or in related areas. The faculty
				should be involved in continuing education and provisions should exist in
				teaching loads to encourage academic excellence through research, publication,
				attendance at conventions and educational symposia.
(f) The board reserves the right to evaluate
				individual applications as to their compliance with equivalent naturopathic
				medical educational standards, on a case-by-case basis, in the sole discretion
				of the board.