(a) Requirements for licensure. The Board shall issue a license to any naturopathic physician who meets the following requirements:
(1) Has graduated from an approved naturopathic medical college;
(2) Has successfully completed a competency-based examination given by the Naturopathic Physician Licensing Examination (NPLEX) or its equivalent;
(3) Possesses a good ethical and professional reputation;
(4) Is physically and mentally capable of safely practicing naturopathic medicine;
(5) Has not engaged in unprofessional conduct or any other conduct that would be grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation of a license under this chapter;
(6) Has not had a license to practice any profession refused, revoked, or suspended by any state, district, or territory of the United States or another country for reasons, that relate to the applicant's ability to skillfully and safely practice as a physician in this territory;
(7) Has filed an application and paid the licensing fees; and
(8) Has submitted a copy of a certified transcript of successful completion of a course of study in naturopathic medicine sent directly from an approved naturopathic medical college.
(b) Examinations.
(1) All applicants must take and pass all parts of the basic science, clinical series, homeopathy and minor surgery examination of the NPLEX or any other examination to be prescribed or endorsed by the Board.
(2) The applicant must achieve at least the minimum score determined by the NPLEX as the passing point for that examination.
(3) All applicants must take and pass the United States Virgin Islands Naturopathic Physicians Jurisprudence Examination as approved by the Board. The applicant must achieve at least the minimum score determined by the Board as the passing point for that examination.
(4) The Board shall establish by rule the requirements for a re-examination if the applicant has failed the examination.
(c) Reciprocity. A person licensed to practice naturopathic medicine or naturopathy under the laws of a state, district, or territory of the United States or in any foreign country which has educational requirements equal to those of the Virgin Islands and which extends like privileges to legally qualified naturopathic physicians from the Virgin Islands, who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Board that the person possesses qualifications substantially equivalent to those required of persons eligible for licensing under this chapter, may be issued a license to practice in this territory without a written examination upon payment of the license fee required under this section.
(d) Licensure fee; renewal fee. Applications for licensing and specialty certification must be on forms prescribed and furnished by the Board. The application fee is set by the Board by rule and is nonrefundable. The applicant shall deliver to an official of the Board a postal money order or certificate, bank draft or certified check. The fees shall be as follows:
(1) An initial application fee to practice naturopathic medicine must be established by the Board in an amount not to exceed $300.00.
(2) A specialty certification fee to practice natural childbirth must be established by the Board in an amount not to exceed $100.00 annually.
(3) A fee for a lost, duplicate or misplaced license must be established by the Board in an amount not to exceed $50.00.
(4) An annual renewal fee to practice naturopathic medicine must be established by the Board in an amount not to exceed $300.00.
(e) Continuing education.
(1) An approved continuing naturopathic medical education program means a program designed to continue the education of the licensee in current developments, skills, procedures, or treatment in the licensee's field of practice, which has been certified by a national or state naturopathic medical society or college or university and approved by the Board.
(2) Licensed naturopathic physicians must demonstrate completion or a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education biennially upon renewal of licensure. Programs of continuing education must be approved by the Board.
(3) All licensees holding a specialty certificate must complete an additional 10 hours of continuing education annually to continue certification. Programs of continuing education must be approved by the Board.