Information for Physicians
Please Be Aware: The Board does not offer legal interpretation of the law.
PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Visit the Department of Health Services Website azdhs.gov/audiences/clinicians
TELEHEALTH Information may be found on AZLEG.Gov under Chapter 36
A.R.S. 36-3601 - 36-3608 and aznd.gov A.R.S. 32-1501(ww)
Unprofessional Conduct Statute
A.R.S. 32-1501(31)(ww) Prescribing, dispensing or furnishing a prescription medication or a prescription-only device as defined in section 32-1901 to a person unless the licensee first conducts a physical examination of that person or has previously established a doctor-patient relationship. The physical examination may be conducted during a real-time telemedicine encounter with audio and video capability unless the examination is for the purpose of obtaining a written certification from the physician for the purposes of title 36, chapter 28.1. (Medical Marijuana Certification)
If you are a Naturopathic Physician Licensed in the State of Arizona and would like to be considered for a role as a Board Medical Consultant, please complete the consultant request form located under the forms tab above. Please review the qualifications, role responsibility, and compensation policy, prior to submission of the form to the Board.
CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT
As a Naturopathic physician licensed in Arizona, part of the licensure renewal process requires completion of 30 hours of CME each year. At least 10 of those hours must be in the area of pharmacology as it relates to the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a disease. In addition to the required 10 in this area, SB1001 (2018 First Special Session) The Act adds 32-3248.02, imposing an obligation to complete a minimum three hours of Opioid related CME in the area of substance–use disorder or addiction related if the physician holds or plans on obtaining a DEA Registration.
- The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians or any of its constituent organizations.
- The Arizona Naturopathic Medical Association.
- Or any naturopathic licensing authority in the United States or Canada.
- Please reference the rules, R4-18-205. (Continuing Education Requirements)
For approved schools, refer to the Resources tab on the homepage
REQUIREMENT TO REGISTER WITH THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRESCRIPTION MONITORING PROGRAM
All licensed naturopathic physicians with a DEA Registration or who intend to apply for a DEA Registration in Arizona are required to register with the Controlled Substance Prescription Monitoring Program. Registration is available on the State of Arizona Pharmacy Board Website.
RETENTION OF RECORDS AND REQUIRED PROTOCOL
A.R.S. 12-2297. Retention of records
A. Unless otherwise required by statute or by federal law, a health care provider shall retain the original or copies of a patient's medical records as follows:
1. If the patient is an adult, for at least six years after the last date the adult patient received medical or health care services from that provider.
2. If the patient is a child, either for at least three years after the child's eighteenth birthday or for at least six years after the last date the child received medical or health care services from that provider, whichever date occurs later.
3. Source data may be maintained separately from the medical record and must be retained for six years from the date of collection of the source data.
B. When a health care provider retires or sells the provider's practice the provider shall take reasonable measures to ensure that the provider's records are retained pursuant to this section.
C. A person who is licensed pursuant to title 32 as an employee of a health care provider is not responsible for storing or retaining medical records but shall compile and record the records in the customary manner.
D. A nursing care institution as defined in section 36-401 shall retain patient records for six years after the date of the patient's discharge. For a minor, the nursing care institution shall retain the records for three years after the patient reaches eighteen years of age or for six years after the date of the patient's discharge, whichever date occurs last.
A.R.S. 32-3211. Medical records; protocol; unprofessional conduct; corrective action; exemptions
A. A health professional must prepare a written protocol for the secure storage, transfer and access of the medical records of the health professional's patients. At a minimum the protocol must specify:
1. If the health professional terminates or sells the health professional's practice and the patient's medical records will not remain in the same physical location, the procedure by which the health professional shall notify each patient in a timely manner before the health professional terminates or sells the health professional's practice in order to inform the patient regarding the future location of the patient's medical records and how the patient can access those records.
2. The procedure by which the health professional may dispose of unclaimed medical records after a specified period of time and after the health professional has made good faith efforts to contact the patient.
3. How the health professional shall timely respond to requests from patients for copies of their medical records or to access their medical records.
B. The protocol prescribed in subsection A of this section must comply with the relevant requirements of title 12, chapter 13, article 7.1 regarding medical records.
C. A health professional shall indicate compliance with the requirements of this section on the health professional's application for relicensure in a manner prescribed by the health professional's regulatory board.
D. A health professional who does not comply with this section commits an act of unprofessional conduct.
E. In addition to taking disciplinary action against a health professional who does not comply with this section, the health professional's regulatory board may take corrective action regarding the proper storage, transfer and access of the medical records of the health professional's patients. For the purposes of this subsection, corrective action does not include taking possession or management of the medical records.
F. For the purposes of this section, health professional does not include a veterinarian.
G. This section does not apply to a health professional who is employed by a health care institution as defined in section 36-401 that is responsible for the maintenance of the medical records.
