IV Therapy

1) What are the requirements for naturopathic doctors to perform IV therapy in California? 

To perform IV therapy in CA, you must have completed a qualifying course on IV therapy from a course provider approved by the NMC. As of 1/17/19, approved providers include Bastyr University (2007 and forward), NUNM (2009 and forward), and IV Nutritional Therapy for Professionals (all years). The most recent list of providers can be found here: NMC IV Therapy Approved Providers. Only courses offered through Approved Providers qualify NDs to perform IV therapy in California. For more information on the laws regulating IV therapy, see the NMC's New Laws Effective January 1, 2013. 

IMPORTANT! If you are going to be performing IV Therapy in California, you need to be compliant with CA OSHA standards and you should also be compliant with USP 797 clean room standards, otherwise you are liable for extensive fines and risk to your license. Dr. Paul Anderson offers a great FREE overview of USP 797 compliance here. 

2) I have met the necessary training requirements to practice IV Therapy. Do I need to have something on file with any agency or pharmacy? 

Once you receive your certificate of completion, forward this to the NMC so they may update the database with this information. Your IV certification will be displayed on your license as well as in the online license search so that pharmacies and other agencies may check your IV certification status. If a pharmacy asks for your certificate, you can direct them to this online database or forward them your license indicating your IV certification. 

3) Is it legal for me to do IM nutrient injections if I haven’t yet attained the twenty-five IV therapy training hours described in the new law? 

Yes. Intramuscular injections are within the California ND scope of practice, andinjectable nutraceuticals are part of the ND independent formulary.