On August 12, the Washington Board of Naturopathy (BON) discussed a request from the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians about the authority of licensed naturopathic physicians in Washington State to perform vasectomies. The WANP believes vasectomies are within the current scope of licensed naturopathic physicians under the Board’s definition of “minor office procedures” (RCW 18.36A.020).

The AACU does not agree with this interpretation and provided comments as well as participating in the meeting. This topic will be discussed further at a BON meeting in November, and we will keep our membership apprised of future developments and next steps.