CA SB1333 amends the Business and Professions Code to extend the Naturopathic Doctors Act beyond its January 1, 2027 expiration date and significantly expands the scope of practice for licensed naturopathic doctors in California. The bill authorizes naturopathic doctors to perform minor office procedures including laceration care, skin lesion removal, abscess drainage, and subungual hematoma trephination with local anesthetics. Most substantially, SB1333 removes the physician supervision requirement and allows naturopathic doctors to independently prescribe and administer Schedule II through V controlled substances, provided they complete pharmacology coursework, and eliminates previous restrictions on drug furnishing.

Why It Matters to MAHA

SB1333 directly expands patient autonomy and health freedom by increasing access to naturopathic care and allowing patients to choose licensed naturopathic doctors as primary practitioners without mandatory physician gatekeeping. The bill removes regulatory barriers that previously limited naturopathic practice, aligning with MAHA principles of reducing unnecessary physician supervision mandates and trusting licensed practitioners to serve their patients. By permitting naturopathic doctors to independently prescribe medications and perform procedures, the legislation enhances patient choice and practitioner autonomy in the healing arts. However, MAHA requires careful attention to ensure that expanded prescribing authority, particularly for controlled substances, includes appropriate safety standards and training requirements to protect patient welfare while preserving access to alternative medicine practitioners.