1. (1) Criteria for Board Approval of Licensee Applications for Continuing Education Credit for Structured Education Programs or Webinars Attended

   1. (a) Education must meet the criteria set per 850-040-0210
   2. (b) Licensees must submit applications for approval for continuing education credit to the Board no later than 30 days from the date of completion
   3. (c) Active Licensees may not submit applications for approval for continuing education credit to the Board after satisfying the 32 hours of continuing education as required in 850-040-0210
   4. (d) Inactive Licensees may not submit applications for approval for continuing education credit to the Board after satisfying the 10 hours of continuing education as required in 850-040-0210.

2. (2) Activities Eligible and Criteria for Board Approval of License Applications for Continuing Education for Self-Directed Education and Activities. Licensee may receive a maximum of ten (10) credit hours annually from any combination of the permitted hours for the following self-directed education and activities

   1. (a) Peer reviewed publication – Authorship or Review and Report: maximum of three (3) total credit hours annually. Subject of the article must be in the scope of practice of naturopathic medicine in the State of Oregon. Licensees must provide the Board with the following no more than 30 days from the date of completion:

      1. (A)  Authorship:

         1. (i) Copy or excerpt (up to ten (10) pages maximum) of the published article, including the name and issue of the peer reviewed publication
         2. (ii) Written description (up to five (5) pages maximum) of how research, development and content of the published article support, develop, and increase the knowledge, skills, and professionalism of naturopathic physicians
         3. (iii) Written record of the number of hours spent on research, development and writing the publication

      2. (B) Review and Report:

         1. (i) Copy or excerpt (up to five (5) pages maximum) of the published article, including the name and issue of the peer reviewed publication
         2. (ii) Written summary (up to five (5) pages maximum) describing how the content of the article supports, develops, and increases the knowledge, skills, and professionalism of naturopathic physicians
         3. (iii) Written record of the dates and number of the hours spent reviewing and summarizing material

   2. (b) Formal protocol writing for a health care facility or government health care agency: maximum of three (3) total credit hours annually. Subject of the formal protocol must be in the scope of practice of naturopathic medicine in the State of Oregon. Licensees must submit the following no more than 30 days from the date of completion:

      1. (A) Copy or excerpt (up to five (5) pages maximum) of the completed formal protocol
      2. (B) Written description (up to five (5) pages maximum) of how the research, development, content and writing of the formal protocol supports, develops, and increases the knowledge, skills, and professionalism of naturopathic physicians
      3. (C) Certificate/letter of completion with date protocol was finished, total number of hours spent on research, development, and protocol writing signed by licensee’s supervisor

   3. (c) Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) Committee for the development and writing of the NPLEX examinations: maximum three (3) total credit hours annually. Licensees must submit the following no more than 30 days from the date of completion:

      1. (A) Written description (up to five (5) pages maximum) of how exam research, development and writing support, develop, and increase the knowledge, skills, and professionalism of naturopathic physicians
      2. (B) Certificate/letter of completion with date of completion, and total number of hours spent on research, development, and writing signed by licensee’s supervisor or NPLEX designee

   4. (d) Research related to the advancement of naturopathic medicine, for a recognized educational or medical institution or organization: maximum of six (6) total credit hours annually. Licensee must submit the following no more than 30 days from the date of completion:

      1. (A) Attestation Licensee does not have financial conflicts or fiduciary relationships with the educational or medical institution or organization where licensee is conducting the research
      2. (B) Written description (maximum five (5) pages) how licensees research is in the scope of practice of naturopathic medicine in the State of Oregon, and supports, develops, and increases the knowledge, skills of naturopathic physicians
      3. (C) Certificate/letter of completion with date research was completed, total number of hours spent on research and development, signed by licensee’s supervisor

   5. (e) Presentation of a structured continuing education program in the scope of practice of naturopathic medicine in the State of Oregon: maximum of six (6) total credit hours annually. Licensee must submit the following no more than 30 days from the date of completion:

      1. (A) Declaration the presentation was developed and created in the calendar year applying for credit, and no portion of the presentation has been used in previous years.
      2. (B) Excerpt of presentation materials (up to five (5) pages maximum), and agenda, schedule, and total length of the presentation
      3. (C) Written description (up to five (5) pages maximum) how research, development and content of the presentation supports, develops, and increases the knowledge, skills, and professionalism of naturopathic physicians
      4. (D) Written record of hours spent researching, developing the content of the presentation, and length of presentation submitted total number of hours spent on research and development, signed by licensee’s supervisor

   6. (f) Teaching at an accredited graduate level course in the scope of practice of naturopathic medicine in the State of Oregon: maximum six (6) total credit hours annually. Licensee must submit the following no more than 30 days from the date of completion:

      1. (A) Declaration the course material was developed and created in the calendar year applying for credit, and no portion of the course material has been used in previous years.
      2. (B) Excerpt of course materials (up to ten (10) pages maximum), and syllabus, schedule, with the name of the accredited institution and faculty supervisor
      3. (C) Written description (up to ten (10) pages maximum) how research, development and content of the course supports, develops, and increases the knowledge, skills, and professionalism of naturopathic physicians
      4. (D) Certificate/letter of completion with total number of hours spent on research and development of course, signed by licensee’s faculty supervisor

   7. (g) Preceptorship with an Oregon licensed naturopathic physician or doctorate level clinician with a minimum of five (5) years of clinical experience: maximum six (6) total credit hours annually. Preceptorship must be in scope of practice of naturopathic medicine in the State of Oregon. Licensee must submit the following no more than 30 days from the date of completion:

      1. (A) Name of medical facility, preceptor, and licensee’s direct supervisor
      2. (B) Certificate/letter of completion with a record of attendance and total hours licensee participated in the preceptor program, signed by licensee’s preceptor/ supervisor,

3. (3) Activities Eligible and Criteria for Board Approval for Continuing Education for Volunteer Work: Licensees may submit proof of completion of volunteer hours for continuing education (CE) credit for the following qualifying volunteer services that advances patient and public health and safety, and access to care.

   1. (a) Service on the Board of Naturopathic Medicine: Licensed Board members who annually waive all compensation per 850-005-0190(1) for Board service may receive all annually required continuing education for renewal per OAR 850-040-0210. Board Executive Director will annually provide qualifying members with a letter confirming Board service prior to renewal.
   2. (b) Service on Council on Naturopathic Physicians Formulary: Licensed Council members who annually waive all compensation per 850-005-0190(1) for Council service may receive up to five (5) hours of either general or pharmacology continuing education required for renewal per OAR 850-040-0210. Board Executive Director will annually provide qualifying members with a letter confirming Council service prior to renewal.

   3. (c) Volunteer service for a qualified non-profit organization.

      1. (A) Licensee may receive a maximum of six (6) general education credit hours annually for providing naturopathic medical services without compensation, provided that:

         1. (i) Services were provided by or through a recognized tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or is a federally recognized tribe.
         2. (ii) The services constitute naturopathic medical services within the scope of the licensee’s Oregon license.
         3. (iii) The services are provided without compensation, either direct or indirect
         4. (iv) The services are rendered in compliance with all applicable state and local laws.
         5. (v) One (1) hour of qualifying volunteer service shall be credited as one (1) hour of general continuing education.

      2. (B) Licensee must submit a letter or certificate of completion from the qualified nonprofit organization on official letterhead, or federally recognized tribe, signed by an authorized representative, no more than 30 days from the date of completion of volunteer service, that verifies:

         1. (i) The name of the organization and confirmation of its 501(c)(3) or federally recognized tribe status.
         2. (ii) The dates of service and total number of hours performed.
         3. (iii) A brief description of the naturopathic medical services provided; and
         4. (iv) A statement affirming the services were provided without either direct or indirect compensation.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 685.125

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 685.102

History

OBNM 10-2026, amend filed 06/22/2026, effective 06/22/2026
OBNM 1-2024, amend filed 10/29/2024, effective 01/01/2025
OBNM 13-2020, amend filed 03/09/2020, effective 03/09/2020
BNE 1-2006, f. & cert. ef. 10-13-06