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SB 688FLORIDA · STATEWIDESession 2026Ordered enrolled
High Impact

New Licensing and Regulation for Naturopathic Doctors

Original title: Naturopathic Medicine

December 1, 2025

HealthcareLicensingNaturopathyProfessional RegulationTelehealthexecutive branch

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Where This Stands

Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Signed

Currently Ordered enrolled. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Signed.

Procedural history

10 actions
  1. Feb 25, 2026Senate
    On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 03/02/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building
  2. Feb 25, 2026Senate
    Now in Fiscal Policy
  3. Feb 25, 2026SenateCommittee
    Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services; YEAS 5 NAYS 1
  4. Feb 20, 2026Senate
    On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, 02/25/26, 10:00 am, 412 Knott Building
  5. Feb 12, 2026Senate
    Now in Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services
  6. Feb 11, 2026SenateCommittee
    Favorable by Health Policy; YEAS 8 NAYS 3
Show 4 earlier actions
  1. Feb 6, 2026Senate
    On Committee agenda-- Health Policy, 02/11/26, 3:00 pm, 412 Knott Building
  2. Jan 13, 2026SenateIntroduced
    Introduced
  3. Dec 16, 2025SenateCommittee
    Referred to Health Policy; Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services; Fiscal Policy
  4. Dec 1, 2025SenateIntroduced
    Filed

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 →

The Frame

What this does

This legislation ends a long-standing near-total ban on the practice of naturopathic medicine in Florida, allowing qualified practitioners to obtain state licenses and provide services, while also establishing legal penalties for those who practice without a license.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Naturopathic doctors

Must obtain a state license, meet education and examination standards, and comply with new disciplinary and continuing education requirements.

Unlicensed naturopaths

Restricted from using specific professional titles and abbreviations unless they obtain a license under the new law.

Department of Health

Charged with administering the new licensing program, adopting rules, and overseeing the Board of Naturopathic Medicine.

What changed

Current stage: Ordered enrolled.

What's next

Signed.

Summary

This bill establishes a formal licensing process for naturopathic doctors in Florida, creating a new state board to oversee the profession and setting specific education and training standards. It also defines the scope of practice for these doctors, including what treatments they are authorized to provide and what medical procedures they are prohibited from performing.

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

Can I still call myself a 'naturopath' if I am not licensed under this new law?
Yes, the bill allows individuals to continue using terms like 'naturopath' or 'traditional naturopath' as long as they do not use the protected titles 'doctor of naturopathic medicine' or 'naturopathic doctor' and do not represent themselves as licensed naturopathic doctors.
What medical procedures are naturopathic doctors prohibited from performing?
They cannot perform surgery, administer ionizing radioactive substances, perform chiropractic or osteopathic adjustments (unless separately licensed), or manage labor and delivery (unless separately licensed as a midwife or physician).
How many continuing education hours are required for license renewal?
Licensed naturopathic doctors must complete at least 60 hours of continuing education during each renewal period.

Why It Matters

This legislation ends a long-standing near-total ban on the practice of naturopathic medicine in Florida, allowing qualified practitioners to obtain state licenses and provide services, while also establishing legal penalties for those who practice without a license.

News Coverage

Center1
1 source
Blind spot - only covered by center outlets
C

Lawmakers move to license an alternative medicine abolished decades ago

Florida PoliticsMay 2, 2026

The Florida Legislature has passed a bill to re-establish state licensing for naturopathic doctors after a 60-year hiatus. The legislation creates a regulatory board under the Department of Health but prohibits these practitioners from performing surgery, prescribing drugs, or using anesthesia.

Bias ratings based on AllSides / Media Bias/Fact Check

Voting Record

Motion succeededlower3/11/2026openstates_bulkOfficial roll call ↗

Passage, Third Reading

Total

117

Yes

85

No

22

Present

0

Not Voting

10

Abstain

0

Motion succeededupper3/5/2026openstates_bulkOfficial roll call ↗

Third Reading

Total

39

Yes

33

No

3

Present

0

Not Voting

1

Abstain

0

Motion succeededupper3/2/2026openstates_bulkOfficial roll call ↗

Favorable with Committee Substitute

Total

18

Yes

18

No

0

Present

0

Not Voting

0

Abstain

0

Motion succeededsenate2/25/2026Official roll call ↗

Favorable

Total

9

Yes

5

No

1

Present

0

Not Voting

0

Abstain

0

Motion succeededsenate2/11/2026Official roll call ↗

Favorable

Total

12

Yes

8

No

4

Present

0

Not Voting

0

Abstain

0

Full roll-call analysis →

Sponsors

Connected Entities

organizationFiscal Policy“Committee reviewing the bill”Map →
organizationAppropriations Committee on Health and Human Services“Committee reviewing the bill”Map →
organizationDepartment of Health“State department responsible for licensing and rule-making for naturopathic medi”Map →
location412 Knott Building“Meeting location”Map →
organizationHealth Policy“Committee reviewing the bill”Map →
organizationBoard of Naturopathic Medicine“Newly created board within the Department of Health to oversee naturopathic doct”Map →
organizationFlorida Naturopathic Physicians Association, Inc.“Organization previously involved in educational programs.”Map →
organizationCouncil on Naturopathic Medical Education“Accrediting body for naturopathic medical programs.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

openstates.org

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance85
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy40
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz30
    Current news / social attention level

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