Puerto Rico Territory Exemptions

Puerto Rico Territory Exemptions

Please note: We (NAIC) are an affiliate of The Boriken Nation and a seminary of the Church of Hope Taino auxillary and the University (of PanAm) of Indigenous/Monastic Medicine of Boriken. We are a registered seminary in Puerto Rico and legally authorized to conduct all educational programs “El Departamento de Estado de Puerto Rico quiere agradecerle por haber radicado el Certificado de Incorporación de una Corporación No Autorizada a Emitir Acciones de Capital para UNIVERSIDAD DE MEDICINA INDIGENA MONASTICA DE BORIKEN, INC.”.  This course is NOT a Massage Course as defined by secular law. It is offered to our NAIC Members as an indigenous Religious Therapeutic Ministry of Chirothesia or Hands of Healing.

Puerto Rico’s relationship to the US is sometimes complicated. Puerto Rico is an unincorporated US Territory. Although Puerto Rico has it’s own constitution, that constitution and Puerto autonomy is subservient and conditional to US Federal Code and US Constitution. This allows Puerto Rican’s to enjoy US citizenship.

The Law that determines the legal existence and rules of Puerto Rico’s legal existence are found in US CODE Title 48.

Specifically US CODE 48, Section 734 states “The statutory laws of the United States not locally inapplicable, except as hereinbefore or hereinafter otherwise provided, shall have the same force and effect in Puerto Rico as in the United States…”

Puerto Rico has tried to pass a Religious Freedom act that would re-affirm religious freedoms as specified in US Federal Code (https://www.washingtonblade.com/content/files/2019/04/ps1253-religiosa.pdf). This did not pass so far. However, it is legally irrelevant as Puerto Rico is legally required to abide by the US Federal Codes regardless of whether the government of Puerto Rico affirms them or not!

PLEASE NOTE! NAIC: SomaVeda College of Natural Medicine/ Thai Yoga Center including SomaVeda Integrated Traditional Therapies Certification programs and classes are conducted by and under the Authority of Dr. Anthony B. James. Dr. Anthony B. James is Gobierno De Puerto Rico: Departmento de Salud Registro Demografico Registro de Celebrante #9650. As a licensed Priest and Minister his ministry and religious therapeutic seminary (classes) are protected practices as religious therapeutics.

As stated above, our use of the term “Thai Yoga” refers exclusively to ITTM! Ayurveda/  SomaVeda® Thai Yoga, Yoga Therapy etc.  practiced and expressed as an indigenous, traditional, native (aboriginal), expression of Sacred Healing and Medicine. ITTM is not a practice of manipulation and is a religious and spiritual practice sacred to indigenous peoples and as such protected by both international treaty (UN WHO; DESA, UDHR etc. and by US Federal Code (AIRFA and RLUIPA). Additionally, if practiced by authorized and or ordained ministers, clergy, medicine persons of a cognizable Tribal organization and or church as a sacerdotal duty and obligation to facilitate healing and or a healing ministry it is exempt from these requirements.

Where can I start? As Thai Yoga is Yoga/ Ayurveda/ Indigenous, Traditional, Spiritual Medicine and not “Massage” and or “Massage Therapy” it is an abuse of law and and unconstitutional act to require a person to obtain a permit from a private association or Governmental entity to practice and or express a religious, ecclesiastical, and or spiritual faith and or belief. It is furthermore a human rights violation to attempt to curtail the communication, practice and expression of indigenous, spiritual beliefs and practices under at least two federal laws and numerous international treaty which the US is signor and party to such as UDHR etc.

Therefore we can reasonably assert that the Spiritual, Religious, Ceremonial, Sacredotal, Ministerial, Pastoral, practices of Indigenous and traditional and or tribal/ familial counseling and healing as ordained tenants authorized by the Native American Indigenous Church Inc. 508(c)1(A) FBO Church/ Tribal Organization is exempted from the Medical Practices Act of the Territory/ Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

This applies to the full scope of practice and training as authorized by NAIC. Clearly NAIC Authorized ABM, AFM, CHT ministers practicing in accordance with their appropriate authorization and scope of practice and not claiming or advertising inappropriately that they are specifically Licensed  “Medical Doctors”, “Massage Therapists” and or “Psychologist” are not required to obtain or hold a Governmental License for the practice of Native American and or Indigenous Traditional Healing or religious practices of any kind. If you are practicing in Puerto Rico we recommend you print this article and either post in your office of keep handy with your NAIC Credentials should there be some query about why you might or might not have a Governmental License.

The above provided information is not intended as legal advise and is furnished to assist NAIC Members to make informed decisions about their exercise of religious freedoms guaranteed under Federal and State Code and Law.