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Naturopathy Scandal in Arizona

In May 2001, the Arizona Naturopathic Physicians Board of Medical Examiners fired its executive director, John L. Brewer, D.C., following allegations that he shredded documents, copied exams, and misrepresented his credentials.  According to a report in the Arizona Republic, a board member had discovered that Brewer did not receive a naturopathic degree from a college in Los Angeles as he had claimed on his license application{1}.

In June 2000, the Arizona Auditor General had severely criticized the board's performance.  The most serious deficiencies involved the naturopathic licensing examination, which had not been validated to ensure that it tests what naturopaths would need to practice safely.  Even worse, the board consistently "adjusted" scores upward so that everyone taking the exam since 1998 passed it.  With the February 1999 exam, for example:

• Although none of the 18 applicants scored the necessary 75%, all scores were adjusted upward.
• The board gave full credit for about one-sixth that were "too difficult."
• Since 9 out of 18 applicants were still to low, additional "adjustments" were made.
• One applicant got full credit for 90 incorrect answers on part 2 of the 3-part test.
• The Auditor General's report also noted that complaints to the board had not received adequate attention and that record-keeping and overall management had been inadequate {2}.

References:

1. Cohen W. Naturopathy. In Independent Practitioners under Medicare: A Report to Congress. Washington, D.C., 1968, US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, pp 126-145.

2. Fehr-Snyder K. Naturopathic board director on leave. Arizona Republic, May 11, 2001. Naturopathic Board votes to vote to fire chief: Allegations tied to credentials, paper shredding. Arizona Republic, May 12, 2001.

For the complete report go to Arizona's Office of The Auditor General website.