A new Idaho law quietly opens a path for pharmacists to expand their scope of practice—but it requires planning.
Most Idaho pharmacy owners haven't heard about a provision in S1313 that could reshape how they staff and bill for services. Starting July 1, 2026, a licensed pharmacist in Idaho can voluntarily obtain a naturopathic doctor license—potentially without leaving their current practice.
Section 2 of S1313 amends Idaho Code §54-5905(1)(a)(vi) to create a new pathway: pharmacists who complete a 160-credit-hour naturopathic curriculum and meet other specified conditions can apply for voluntary licensure as a naturopathic doctor. This is not automatic. It requires the pharmacist to pursue additional education and formally apply for the credential.
The law is titled "voluntary licensure," which means pharmacists can choose whether to pursue it. Those who do will hold both licenses simultaneously—pharmacist and naturopathic doctor—under Idaho law.
This provision directly affects:
Larger chains and hospital systems may see less immediate impact, though staffing flexibility could matter in rural or underserved markets.
The practical significance is scope expansion. A pharmacist with dual licensure could potentially offer services under the naturopathic doctor license that would otherwise require a separate practitioner—and bill accordingly. For a small practice, this could mean:
However, this is not a shortcut. The 160-credit-hour curriculum is substantial. Pharmacists pursuing this would need to complete that education while maintaining their pharmacy license and, likely, their current job. Employers considering hiring dual-licensed pharmacists should budget for the time and cost of that training.
Effective date: July 1, 2026. This gives pharmacists and employers about 18 months to plan if they want to have dual-licensed staff in place when the law takes effect.
Legal citation: Section 2, amending §54-5905(1)(a)(vi), Page 2 of S1313.
If you operate a pharmacy or integrative health service in Idaho, now is the time to understand what "naturopathic doctor" scope of practice means under Idaho law, what the 160-credit curriculum entails, and whether dual-licensed staff makes sense for your business model. The Idaho Board of Pharmacy and the Idaho Board of Naturopathic Doctors will likely issue guidance as the July 2026 date approaches.
A detailed, business-focused summary of S1313 and its implications for Idaho health services is available through your state trade association or local health law resources.