Assigned to HHS AS PASSED BY COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1163
homeopathic medicine; integrated medicine; qualifications
Purpose
Establishes a pathway for acupuncturists, physical therapists, naturopaths, chiropractors,
individuals trained by the U.S. Armed Forces in emergency medical care and individuals who
complete an approved program to become licensed homeopathic physicians.
Background
The Board of Homeopathic and Integrated Medicine Examiners (Board) is responsible for
the licensing and oversight of the practice of homeopathic and integrated medicine in Arizona,
including but not limited to: 1) conducting all licensure examinations, issuing licenses and
conducting hearings; 2) enforcing prescribed standards of practice; 3) collecting and accounting
for fees; 4) maintaining a record of its acts and proceedings; 5) maintaining a roster of all licensees;
and 6) adopting and using a seal. Additionally the Board may adopt necessary rules and hire
personnel to enforce laws governing homeopathic and integrated medicine (A.R.S. § 32-2904).
The Board must appoint an executive director from outside its membership, who serves at the
pleasure of the Board (A.R.S. § 32-2905).
The Board must grant a license to practice homeopathic medicine to an applicant who:
1) holds a degree from an approved school of medicine or has received an equivalent medical
education; 2) holds a license in good standing to practice medicine as a medical or osteopathic
physician in Arizona or is licensed in another state, district or territory of the United States; 3) has
a professional record indicating the applicant has not had a license to practice medicine refused,
revoked, suspended or restricted for reasons related to the applicant's ability to competently and
safely practice medicine; 4) has a professional record indicating the applicant has not committed
or engaged in any conduct constituting disciplinary action; 5) has the physical and mental capacity
to safely engage in the practice of medicine; 6) pays all required fees and costs; and 7) completes
the application. However, an applicant may also be licensed as a homeopath without holding a
license as a medical or osteopathic physician if the applicant holds a degree from an approved
school of medicine (A.R.S. 32-2912).
For a homeopath that is also licensed to practice as a medical or osteopathic physician,
practice of homeopathic medicine means the practice of medicine in which a person purports to
diagnose, treat or correct real or imagined human diseases, injuries, ailments, infirmities and
deformities of a physical or mental origin and includes acupuncture, chelation therapy,
homeopathy, minor surgery, neuromuscular integration, nutrition, orthomolecular therapy and
pharmaceutical medicine. For a homeopath that does not hold an additional medical license,
practice of homeopathic medicine means the practice of medicine in which a person purports to
diagnose, treat or correct real or imagined human diseases, injuries, ailments, infirmities and
deformities of a physical or mental origin by means of homeopathy and nutrition. FACT SHEET – Amended
S.B. 1163
Page 2
Homeopathy is a system of medicine that employs homeopathic medication in accordance
with the principle that a substance that produces symptoms in a healthy person can cure those
symptoms in an ill person (A.R.S. § 32-2901).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the Board to award a license to practice homeopathic medicine to an eligible applicant
who has completed an approved training program.
2. Eliminates the ability of the Board to appoint a temporary secretary to perform the duties of
the executive director if that office is vacant.
3. Directs the executive director of the Acupuncture Board of Examiners to serve as the executive
director of the Board.
4. Requires the staff of the Acupuncture Board of Examiners to carry out the administrative
responsibilities of the Board.
5. Requires the executive director of the Board to perform all duties of the Board and employ
personnel necessary to carry out Board functions.
6. Requires the Board to meet each January with the Acupuncture Board of Examiners to set
financial compensation for staff and operating expense sharing.
7. Requires the licensing exam for a prospective homeopathic physician seeking licensure
through an approved training program to include all subject that are generally accepted as
necessary for a thorough knowledge of the practice of homeopathic medicine.
8. Requires the Board to prescribe rules for conducting the homeopathic licensure examination
and set the passing grade.
9. Directs the Board to issue a license, without examination, to any applicant that holds or has
passed the examination to hold a certification from the Council for Homeopathic Certification
or its equivalent.
10. Removes the requirement that the executive director send a license renewal notice by first class
mail to the address most recently provided to the Board.
11. Requires the Board to include a list of approved training programs in its annual directory.
12. Requires licensees to inform the Board in writing of any change in personal or work email
address within 45 days.
13. Removes the requirement that the Board:
a) elect a secretary-treasurer from its membership; and FACT SHEET – Amended
S.B. 1163
Page 3
b) include the signatures of the president or vice-president and secretary-treasurer together
with the Board's seal as evidence of its official acts.
14. Classifies it as a class 5 felony to practice as a homeopathic practitioner without being licensed
or exempt from licensure.
15. Classifies it as a class 2 misdemeanor to use the titles of osteopathic medicine (homeopathic)
or homeopathic practitioner without being licensed.
16. Allows a licensee to use the titles homeopathic physician if the licensee holds:
a) a degree from an approved school of medicine or has received an equivalent medical
education; or
b) a license in good standing to practice medicine as a medical or osteopathic physician in
Arizona or by another state, district or territory of the United States.
17. Allows a licensee that does not hold a degree from an approved medical school or a license to
practice medicine in good standing to use the designations homeopathic practitioner, doctor
of homeopathy or homeopathic doctor, except that only a person dual-licensed as an
acupuncturist, naturopath, physical therapist or chiropractor may use the designations
homeopathic doctor or doctor of homeopathy.
18. Allows the Board to adopt in rule abbreviations for titles used by homeopathic physicians.
19. Defines approved training program, for a person seeking licensure as a homeopath, as a
program that requires the person to both:
a) successfully complete:
i. a program that would qualify an applicant for certification or licensure as a
chiropractor, naturopath, physical therapist or acupuncturist;
ii. training and testing by the U.S. Armed Forces at a level comparable to the national
standards for emergency medical care technicians; or
iii. a program approved by the Board or accredited by the Accreditation Commission for
Homeopathic Education in North America, its successor organization or a similar
accrediting body; and
b) meet one of the following:
i. hold, or pass the examination to hold, a certification from the Council for Homeopathic
Certification or its successor; or
ii. complete a Board-approved program designed to prepare the person for the practice of
homeopathic medicine.
20. Makes technical and conforming changes.
21. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
1. Removes the addition of the practice and licensure of doctors of integrated medicine.
2. Removes the ability to become licensed as a homeopathic physician by way of receiving a
medical degree or certification in an approved foreign county. FACT SHEET – Amended
S.B. 1163
Page 4
3. Reorganizes the definition of approved training program.
4. Allows individuals licensed by way of completing an approved training program to use the
title of homeopathic doctor only if the individual is licensed as an acupuncturist, physical
therapist, naturopath or chiropractor.
Senate Action
HHS 2/6/24 DPA 7-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
February 7, 2024
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