Examination Regulations for Naturopaths - Composition

**1. The Examination Commission consists of:**

a) the head of the Specialist Department for Health Professionals and Drug Control (Chair);

b) a medical doctor (Deputy Chair);

c) a nursing professional with tertiary level education;

d) a naturopath;

e) a pharmacist or a druggist.

**2. The Department of Health and Social Affairs appoints the members designated in para. 1 lit. b-e, as well as substitute members, for a term of four years.**

**3. The substitute member acts when the member is prevented from doing so.**

**4. ...**

1. The Examination Committee

a) is responsible for the organization and conduct of the examination;

b) formulates the examination questions and establishes the criteria for evaluating the answers;

c) conducts the oral examination and records the proceedings;

d) evaluates the answers and determines the examination results;

e) informs the examination participants of the results no later than fourteen days after the examination.

1. The examination committee conducts oral examinations and makes its decisions when fully assembled.

2. It decides by simple majority. Abstention from voting is not permitted.

1. Examination Subjects are

a) Structure and Function of Human Organs;

b) General Hygiene;

c) Pharmacology;

d) Preparation and Testing of Medicinal Products;

e) Significance of Notifiable Diseases;

f) Therapeutic Possibilities within the Framework of Naturopathic Procedures;

g) Federal and Cantonal Health Law.

2. The examination is passed by those who possess sufficient basic knowledge in the examination subjects.

3. The Examination Board determines the requirements applicable to the individual examination subjects.

1. Exemptions from the Examination are Granted to

a) individuals who hold a completed university degree in human medicine with a Swiss federal or equivalent diploma;

b) individuals who provide evidence of completed education, training, or continuing education that meets the requirements according to Article 4, paragraph 3. The chairperson of the examination board decides on behalf of the examination board regarding applications for full or partial exemption from the examination.

1. The examination typically takes place once a year.

2. The Examination Committee

a) determines the date and location;

b) announces the next examination date in the official journal at least three months in advance and provides information on the registration procedure.

1. Anyone who wishes to participate in the examination must register with the form issued by the Office for Health Professionals and Drug Control at least four weeks before the date with the Office for Health Professionals and Drug Control.

1. The examination lasts one day.

2. It consists of a written and an oral part.

3. The examination parts are structured in modules according to the examination subjects specified in Art. 4 para. 1.

1. The examination board assesses the result of both the written and oral examination as either "passed" or "failed."

2. The examination is considered passed if both parts are evaluated as "passed."

3. The examination board certifies the passing of the examination in a diploma.

1. Whoever does not pass the examination may repeat it at most once.

2. The repetition includes the parts of the examination that were not passed.

1. Anyone who registers for the examination or for the retake of the examination shall pay a fee of CHF 500.

2. The fee will be refunded

a) in full, if the candidate withdraws for justifiable reasons at least two weeks before the examination date;

b) by half, if the candidate does not appear for the examination.

3. The applicant shall pay a fee of CHF 300 for the decision on complete or partial exemption from the examination according to Art. 5 lit. b. This fee will be credited towards the examination fee pursuant to Para. 1 of this provision.

1. Decisions of the Examination Commission may be appealed to the Department of Health and Social Services within twenty days from their announcement.

2. The procedure is governed by the Administrative Procedure Act.

1. The Examination Regulations for Heilpraktiker of April 7, 1987, are hereby repealed.

1. This regulation enters into force immediately.