top of page

Authorizations of Practice

Alaska

  • Statute: AK Stat § 08.64.370 (2022)

  • Provision: Exempts individuals practicing the religious tenets of a church from the chapter's requirements regarding medical practice.

Arizona

  • Statute: AZ Code § 32-1421

  • Provision: Exemptions include administering family remedies, practicing religion through prayer or laying on of hands, and selling health-related products not requiring prescriptions.

Arkansas

  • Statute: AR Code § 17-95-203 (2020)

  • Provision: Exemptions include the practice of Christian Science (with or without compensation) and the domestic administration of family remedies.

California

  • Statute: CA Bus & Prof Code § 3644 (2022)

  • Provision: Allows individuals to practice religious tenets without prescription drugs. Unlicensed individuals may practice naturopathy within specific limitations.

Colorado

  • Statutes: CO Code §§ 12-240-107, 12-250-106 (2022)

  • Provision: Exempts religious worship, Christian Science practices, and the provision of natural health care or natural product education if certain conditions are met.

Connecticut

  • Statute: CT Gen Stat § 20-9 (2022)

  • Provision: Exempts Christian Science practitioners who do not use or prescribe drugs or surgery.

Delaware

  • Statute: 24 DE Code § 1703 (2022)

  • Provision: Allows healing practices by accredited religious practitioners, with restrictions on medical titles and prescribing medications.

Florida

  • Statute: FL Stat § 458.303 (2022)

  • Provision: Exempts individuals practicing the religious tenets of any church.

Georgia

  • Statute: GA Code § 43-34-22 (2022)

  • Provision: Permits practices consistent with the religious tenets or beliefs of any church.

Hawaii

  • Statute: HI Rev Stat § 453-2 (2022)

  • Provision: Exempts Christian Scientists practicing the tenets of their church without claiming medical expertise.

Idaho

  • Statutes: ID Code §§ 54-1804, 54-5103, 54-5908 (2022)

  • Provision: Allows individuals to practice religious tenets, administer treatments using natural elements, and sell health-related products under specific conditions.

Illinois

  • Statute: 225 ILCS 60/4

  • Provision: Exempts treatment by prayer or spiritual means under religious freedom.

Indiana

  • Statute: IN Code § 25-22.5-1-2 (2022)

  • Provision: Exempts church members practicing religious tenets without making diagnoses, prescribing drugs, or assuming physician titles.

Kansas

  • Statute: KS Stat § 65-2872 (2021)

  • Provision: Exempts individuals practicing household remedies or religious tenets, provided public health regulations are followed.

Louisiana

  • Statute: LA Rev Stat § 37:1291 (2022)

  • Provision: Exempts Christian Science and religious worship practices relying on faith and prayer.

Maine

  • Statute: 32 ME Rev Stat § 12602 (2022)

  • Provision: Permits unlicensed individuals to provide complementary or alternative health care services if requirements are met.

Maryland

  • Statute: MD Health Occupations Code § 14-5F-03 (2022)

  • Provision: Allows individuals to treat themselves or their families based on religious beliefs or sell vitamins and herbs with product information.

Michigan

  • Statute: MI Comp L § 333.16171 (2022)

  • Provision: Permits spiritual care through prayer, excluding individuals from presenting themselves as health professionals.

Minnesota

  • Statutes: MN §§ 147E.10, 146A.01

  • Provision: Supports complementary and alternative health care methods like naturopathy and prohibits invasive medical procedures by unlicensed practitioners.

Missouri

  • Statute: MO Rev Stat § 334.150 (2022)

  • Provision: Exempts Christian Science practices relying on spiritual means, subject to quarantine compliance.

Montana

  • Statute: MT Code § 37-3-103 (2022)

  • Provision: Exempts religious practices such as Christian Science and ritual circumcisions by rabbis.

Nebraska

  • Statute: NE Code § 38-2025 (2022)

  • Provision: Allows church members practicing religious tenets without prescribing drugs or performing surgery, subject to quarantine laws.

Oregon

  • Statute: OR Rev Stat § 677.060 (2021)

  • Provision: Supports religious healing practices by prayer, respecting public health compliance.

Pennsylvania

  • Statute: Medical Practice Act of 1985

  • Provision: Excludes healing by prayer from the scope of medical practice.

Rhode Island

  • Statute: RI Gen L § 5-37-15 (2022)

  • Provision: Permits the practice of religious tenets, ensuring adherence to sanitary laws.

South Carolina

  • Statute: SC Code § 40-47-30 (2022)

  • Provision: Excludes religious practices adhering to public health laws from medical regulations.

Texas

  • Statute: TX Occ Code § 151.051 (2022)

  • Provision: Permits pastoral counseling and ministering through prayer, excluding material remedies.

Utah

  • Statute: UT Code § 58-67-305

  • Provision: Exempts religious practices, including the use of natural health products and non-invasive treatments, from licensure.

Virginia

  • Statute: VA Code § 54.1-2901 (2022)

  • Provision: Allows spiritual healing practices by churches without the use of drugs.

Washington

  • Statute: WA Rev Code § 18.71.030 (2022)

  • Provision: Exempts religious treatment by prayer.

West Virginia

  • Statute: WV Code § 30-3-13 (2022)

  • Provision: Permits religious tenets in assisting the sick through spiritual means.

Wisconsin

  • Statute: WI Stat § 448.03 (2022)

  • Provision: Protects Christian Science treatment methods.

This summary outlines legislative allowances for religious practices and alternative health care across various states, ensuring adherence to public health and legal standards.

Copyright Rose Health 2024

bottom of page