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HB 2159MISSOURISession 2026State Billin committee

Missouri creates board of naturopathic medicine to license naturopathic doctors

Original title: NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE

Last action · May 15, 2026: Referred: Emerging Issues(H)Sponsors: Josh Hurlbert and 1 other

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What This Bill Would Do

House Bill 2159 establishes state licensure and regulatory requirements for naturopathic doctors in Missouri, creating a five-member Board of Naturopathic Medicine under the division of professional registration. The measure defines the authorized scope of practice—including primary care, diagnostic procedures, s, and prescribing certain drugs and controlled substances—while explicitly prohibiting major surgery, general anesthetics, and the practice of chiropractic, acupuncture, or physical therapy.

Why it matters

Practitioners seeking to use titles such as 'naturopathic physician' or 'naturopathic doctor' in Missouri must meet specific educational standards, pass national and state examinations, carry professional liability insurance, and obtain a license, while individuals without a license remain prohibited from using protected titles.

Background
  • Missouri regulates various healthcare professions through boards housed within the division of professional registration of the department of commerce and insurance. context
  • The General Assembly is the state legislature of Missouri, responsible for enacting statutory laws. context

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Naturopathic doctors

Practitioners must obtain a state license, meet educational and insurance standards, pay established fees, and adhere to defined scope-of-practice limits.

Directly affected

Physicians

Licensed medical physicians are represented on the regulatory board and receive mandatory patient referrals when medical conditions exceed a naturopathic licensee's scope of practice.

Directly affected

Health care consumers

Patients receive standardized practitioner credentials, formal complaint and disciplinary procedures through the administrative hearing commission, and transparent disclosures of provider education.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to serve on the Board of Naturopathic Medicine?
The five-member board appointed by the governor includes three naturopathic doctors with at least four years of experience, one physician licensed under chapter 334 with at least four years of experience, and one public member who is a registered voter, resident for at least one year, and without financial ties to the profession.
What educational credentials are required for licensure?
Applicants must graduate from an approved naturopathic medical education program, such as a doctoral program in the United States accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education or an equivalent Canadian institution approved by the board.
Can naturopathic doctors prescribe opioids under this bill?
No. While licensees may prescribe certain controlled substances within Schedules III, IV, and V, all opioids and opioid derivatives are explicitly excluded.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

4 actions
  1. May 15, 2026HouseCommittee
    Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
  2. Jan 8, 2026HouseFloor
    Read Second Time (H)
  3. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced
    Read First Time (H)
  4. Dec 3, 2025HouseIntroduced
    Prefiled (H)

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

Josh HurlbertHouse · District 8RepublicanSponsor
Mark MeirathHouse · District 39RepublicanCosponsor

Connected Entities

Board of Naturopathic Medicine, Joseph Engler, Council on Naturopathic Medical Education and 3 more
OrganizationBoard of Naturopathic Medicine“Newly created board within the division of professional registration”Map →
PersonJoseph Engler“Chief Clerk of the House”Map →
OrganizationCouncil on Naturopathic Medical Education“Accrediting body for naturopathic medical education programs”Map →
OrganizationNorth American Board of Naturopathic Examiners“Administers competency-based national licensing and pharmacy examinations”Map →
PersonJosh Hurlbert“Representative for District 008 who introduced House Bill 2159”Map →
PersonMark Meirath“Representative for District 039 listed as a cosponsor”Map →

Sources

Open source document

house.mo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance65
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy45
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz25
    Current news / social attention level

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