The Texas Association of Naturopathic Doctors (TXAND) has introduced House Bill 3979 in the 2025 legislative session, aiming to establish licensure for naturopathic doctors (NDs) in Texas. This bill seeks to include Texas among the 26 US states and jurisdictions that license or regulate naturopathic medicine, allowing qualified professionals to provide holistic healthcare services.

Sponsored by Representative Briscoe Cain, the bill represents a significant step in expanding access to patient-centered primary care across Texas. Naturopathic doctors are trained as primary care providers specializing in natural medicine but currently face restrictions due to a lack of licensure in Texas. The state is experiencing a severe shortage of primary care providers, with projections indicating a deficit of over 10,000 physicians by 2032. Over six million Texans live in designated Health Professional Shortage Areas.

Naturopathic doctors complete a four-year doctoral program accredited by the U.S. Department of Education, covering biomedical sciences and various medical disciplines. Their approach focuses on addressing root causes of illness rather than just managing symptoms.

"This bill will allow naturopathic doctors to fully serve their communities, improve access to care, and help address the growing primary care shortage," said Amy Nelson, ND, President of TXAND. "Texans deserve more choices in healthcare."

TXAND is working towards securing a committee hearing for HB 3979 and building legislative and public support. A resolution passed by Congress in 2013 recognized the safety and efficacy of naturopathic care.

For more information or support for HB 3979, visit TXAND.org.

Information from this article can be found here.