Concerning naturopathic physician scope of practice.

HB 1888 would expand the prescriptive authority of licensed naturopathic physicians in Washington State to include controlled substances in Schedules III through V of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. Currently, Washington naturopaths have limited prescriptive authority for certain controlled substances, but this bill would align their scope with other states by allowing them to prescribe and manage these medications, including for opioid and benzodiazepine treatment. The bill directly affects licensed naturopathic physicians who currently face restrictions compared to practitioners in neighboring states. It amends Washington Revised Code sections to explicitly include these controlled substances within the scope of naturopathic practice, while maintaining oversight by the Board of Naturopathy. This change aims to address primary care shortages and improve patient access to comprehensive care, particularly in underserved areas.