State Laws and Licensing Regulations...
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NCCAOM: National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
NCCA: National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists. This is the old term for what we now call the NCCAOM.
PEPLS: Practical Examination of Point Locations Skills.
CNT : Clean Needle Technique.
NACSCAOM: The National Accreditation Commission for Schools and Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. This is their old name. Their new name is the ACAOM or Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
D.O.: Doctor of Osteopathy.
ALABAMA
Alabama Association of Oriental Medicine
Hidden Creek Professional Park
28311 N. Main St. Ste B-101
Daphne, AL
36526
(866) 606-6866
(251) 626-5066 Fax
According to AOM Alliance, Alabama is a state
in which there is no legislation or rules
authorizing the practice by
licensed acupuncturists. However, a statute has been introduced.
ALASKA
Department of Commerce and Economic
Development
Division of Occupational Licensing - Acupuncture
P.O. Box
110806
Juneau, Alaska 99811-0806
(907) 465-2695
(907) 465-2974 Fax
E-mail: p.j._gingras@commerce.state.ak.us
For information on laws/statutes : http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/occ/pacu.htm
ARIZONA
Arizona Board of Acupuncture Examiners
1400 W. Washington #230
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 542-3095
(602) 542-3093 Fax
Email: pete.gonzalez@azacuboard.az.gov
For
information on laws/statutes:
http://www.azacuboard.az.gov/statutes.htm
Acupuncture requires a license, unless it is considered to be within the scope of practice of other health care providers. Acupuncture does not require a license for those who self-administer acupuncture.
Educational Requirements: Graduation from or completed training in a board approved program of acupuncture with a minimum of 1850 hours that includes at least 800 hour of clinical.
Examination Requirements: NCCAOM examinations are accepted as well as licenses from other states with substantially similar standards, and has not had certification or licensure revoked.
Information regarding
Acupuncture in Arizona
can be viewed on-line.
Scroll down to the very end of the document,
that's where you'll find the acupuncture links. You can also just do a
keyword search for "acupuncture" once that page loads.
ARKANSAS
Arkansas State Board of Acupuncture & Related
Techniques
1401 West 6th Street
Little Rock, AR 72201
(501)
683-3583
(501) 244-2333 Fax
Email: srfaughn@sbcglobal.net
For
information on laws/statutes:
http://www.asbart.org/rules.htm
Educational Requirements: An applicant must complete a program in acupuncture and related techniques from a board approved institute that meets the minimum requirements of a board approved national accrediting body. The training must be of at least four academic years and include a minimum of 800 hours of supervised clinical practice.
Examination Requirements: NCCAOM examinations in both acupuncture and Chinese herbology must be passed.
CALIFORNIA
The
Acupuncture Board
444 N. 3rd Street, Suite 260
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-3021
(916) 445-3015 Fax
For information on laws/statutes:
http://www.acupuncture.ca.gov/law_reg/laws.htm
Eligibility Requirements: An applicant must graduate from an approved school and complete four academic years of education with a minimum of 1548 hours of theory including Western science, clinical medicine, TCM theory, diagnosis, Chi Kung, needling techniques, moxibustion, and acupressure, herbology, practice management and ethics, and 800 hours of clinical training.
Examination Requirements: California administers its own exam which includes herbology.
COLORADO
Department of Regulatory Agencies
Office
of Acupuncturists Registration
1560 Broadway, Suite 1340
Denver, CO 80202 - 5140
(303) 894-7429
(303) 894-7764 Fax
Email:
acupuncture@dora.state.co.us
For information on laws/statutes: http://www.dora.state.co.us/Acupuncturists/Rules.htm
Educational and Examination Requirements: NCCAOM certification is required.
MD's, D.O.'s may practice acupuncture without any specialized training. Chiropractors must be certified with 100 hours of theory and clinic, plus an affidavit of 25 cases.
CONNECTICUT
Department of Public Health, Acupuncturist Licensure
410 Capitol Ave.
MS # 12 APP
P.O. Box 34308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
(860) 509-7603
Educational Requirements: Applicant must have successfully completed a course of study in acupuncture in a program which, at the time of graduation, was in candidate status with or accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the US DOE which included a minimum of 1,350 of didactic and clinical training, 500 of which were clinical.
Examination Requirements: NCCAOM examinations is utilized.
MD's, chiros, dentists and physical therapists are exempt from the statute.
Contact: Board of Medical Practice
According to AOM Alliance, Delaware is a
state in which there is no legislation or rules
authorizing the practice
by licensed acupuncturists.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Department of Health
Advisory Committee on
Acupuncture
717 14th Street, NW
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005
(877) 672-2174
(202) 727-8471 Fax
For
information on laws/statutes:
http://hpla.doh.dc.gov/hpla/cwp/view,A,1195,Q,488827,hplaNav,|30661|,.asp
Educational and Examination Requirements: An applicant must show either completion of either three academic years of instruction in acupuncture including 500 hours of clinic, or two academic years of instruction in a school for acupuncture plus 1500 hours of apprenticeship. The school must be legally chartered or organized in the state, territory, or country where the school is located or accredited or recognized by ACAOM. The applicant must then pass the NCCAOM exam.
FLORIDA
Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA)
Board of Acupuncture
4052
Bald Cypress Way Bin #C06
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(850) 245-4161
Email: MQA_Acupuncture@doh.state.fl.us
For information on
laws/statutes:
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/acupunct/acu_statutes.html
Educational Requirements: An applicant must complete a three year course of study in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, and effective July 1, 2001, a four year course of study in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, which meets standards established by the board by rule. However, any person who enrolled in an authorized course of study in acupuncture before August 1, 1997, must have completed only a 2-year course of study.
Examination Requirements: Florida accepts NCCAOM certification.
There are no requirements for medical doctors or osteopaths to practice acupuncture. Chiropractors may practice acupuncture with 100 hours training.
GEORGIA
Composite State Board of Medical Examiners
2 Peachtree Street, N.W., 36th Floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3465
(404)
656-3913
(404) 656-9723 Fax
E-Mail:
medbd@dch.state.ga.us
For
information on laws/statutes:
http://www.ganet.org/meb/licensure_rr.html#acu
Educational Requirements: An applicant must be certified in acupuncture by a national certification agency accredited by the National Organization of Competency Assurance and approved by the Georgia acupuncture board. We're presuming that this is referencing the NCCAOM certification
There are no requirements for medical doctors to practice acupuncture, though they cannot call themselves "acupuncturists". Chiropractors must become licensed acupuncturists to practice acupuncture.
Please note that before any person licensed to practice acupuncture in Georgia, who has less than one year of postgraduate clinical experience, may practice on his or her own, such person must engage in one year of active practice under the supervision of a licensed acupuncturist with a minimum of four years active licensed clinical practice.
HAWAII
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Professional and Vocational Licensing Division
Board of Acupuncture
P.O. Box 3469
Honolulu, Hawaii 96801
(808) 586-2698 or 3000
Email:
acupuncture@dcca.hawaii.gov
For
information on laws/statutes:
http://www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/pvl/boards/
acupuncture/statute_rules/
Educational Requirements: An applicant must show completion of a formal program of not less than two academic years (600 hours) plus one year of supervised internship of not less than 12 months and 900 hours. The academic and internship training must total not less than 1500 hours. The rules allow clinical hours to be earned under a licensed acupuncturist who had been in practice a minimum of 5 years at the time the student intern commenced clinical training if the school does not provide the full clinical training.
Examination Requirements: Hawaii accepts NCCAOM certification. Hawaii also administers a jurisprudence examination.
MD's, D.O.'s, Physician's Assistants, and Chiropractors must all conform to the above regulations.
IDAHO
Idaho State Board of Acupuncture
Bureau of
Occupational Licenses
1109 Main Street, Suite 220
Boise, Idaho
83702-5642
(208) 334-3233
(208) 334-3945 Fax
http://ibol.idaho.gov/acu.htm
For information on laws/statutes:
http://www3.state.id.us/idstat/TOC/54047KTOC.html
ILLINOIS
Technical Assistance Unit
Illinois
Department of Professional Regulation
320 W. Washington Street, 3rd Floor
Springfield, IL 62786
(217) 782-8556
(217) 524-2169 Fax
http://www.idfpr.com/dpr/WHO/acupnt.asp
For information on laws/statutes:
http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/068/06801140sections.html
Examination Requirements: NCCAOM examinations are accepted as the basis for licensure.
MD's, D.O.'s and Chiropractors may practice acupuncture without any specific training. Dentists can practice too. Even nurses can do it with training (which is not specifically defined, under a doctor's orders).
INDIANA
Professional Licensing Agency
(Attn:
Indiana Acupuncture Advisory Committee)
402 W. Washington St., Room W072
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 234-2060
Email:
hpb3@hpb.IN.gov
http://www.in.gov/pla/bandc/iaac/
For information on laws/statutes:
http://www.in.gov/pla/bandc/iaac/statruls.html
IOWA
Iowa Board of Medical Examiners
400 SW 8th
Street, Suite C
Des Moines, Iowa 50309-4686
(515) 281-5171
(515)
242-5908 Fax
http://www.docboard.org/ia/Acupuncture.htm
For information on laws/statutes:
http://www.legis.state.ia.us/IACODE/1999SUPPLEMENT/148E/
Educational Requirements and Examination Requirements : The NCCAOM comprehensive examination including the acupuncture theory and clean needle technique portions are required as is the NCCAOM PEPLS exam.
MD., D.O., D.C., Podiatrists, and Dentists are allowed to practice acupuncture without any additional training.
Chiropractors are allowed to practice acupuncture but is unknown what kind of training, if any is required for them.
KANSAS
Kansas State Board of Healing Arts
(Regulatory Agency)
234 SW Topeka Blvd.
Topeka, KS 66603-3068
(785) 296-7413
(888) 886-7205
(785) 296-0852 Fax
For information on laws/statutes:
http://www.ksbha.org/
MD's, D.O.'s, Podiatrists can practice acupuncture. No additional training is required by law. Physician's assistants may practice acupuncture if authorized by the physician.
Acupuncturists may practice under the supervision of, by order of or referral by a M.D., D.O., or D.C.
Just in: Kentucky Senate and House of Representatives just passed House Bill 17 allowing for the practice of acupuncture by nonphysician acupuncturists. Instead of requiring licensure, HB 17 calls for a certification process, whereby practitioners will be certified by the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure to practice acupuncture.
For more information, contact the Kentucky
Board of Medical Licensure at:
http://www.state.ky.us/agencies/kbml/index.html
LOUISIANA
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
630 Camp Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
(504) 568-6820
For information on laws/statutes:
http://www.lsbme.org/laws_and_rules.htm
Educational Requirements for Md.'s & D.O.'s: six months of training in traditional Chinese acupuncture in a school or clinic approved by the board.
Educational Requirements for Acupuncture Assistant: 36 months training in a school or clinic of traditional Chinese acupuncture approved by the board.
Examination Requirements: Non specified.
The so-called acupuncture assistant must be employed by and work under the physical direction, control and supervision of a physician or acupuncturists (medical doctor with six months of traditional Chinese acupuncture training) certified by the board to practice acupuncture.
MAINE
Maine Dept. of Professional and
Financial Regulation
Office of Licensing and Enforcement
# 35 State
House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0035
(207) 624-8600
(207) 624-8637 Fax
http://www.state.me.us/pfr/olr/categories/cat12.htm
or
http://www.state.me.us/pfr/olr/
For information on laws/statutes:
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/32/title32ch113-Bsec0.html
Education Requirements: A minimum of 1,000 hours of classroom instruction acupuncture and related subjects at an institution approved by the board and a minimum of 300 hours of clinical experience in the field of acupuncture.
Examination Requirements: NCCAOM exam is accepted. Md.'s and Physician's Assistants may practice acupuncture with no further training. Chiropractors can with 100 hours of training in acupuncture.
MARYLAND
State Board of Acupuncture
4201 Patterson
Avenue, Room 320
Baltimore, MD 21215
(410) 764-4766
(410) 358-7258 Fax
http://dhmh.state.md.us/bacc/
For information on laws/statutes:
http://dhmh.state.md.us/bacc/
Educational Requirements. The statute requires that an applicant shall have graduated from a course of training of at least 1,800 hours, including 300 clinical hours that is approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, approved by ACAOM or found by the Board to be equivalent to a course approved by ACAOM. An applicant need not take an examination if she/he has met these educational requirements.
Examination Requirements: NCCAOM certification is accepted.
Use of Titles: An acupuncturist must wear a tag designating him or herself as a "Registered Acupuncturist" while doing treatment and may not use the word "doctor" unless he or she is currently a physician.
MASSACHUSETTS
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Board of
Registration in Medicine
Committee on Acupuncture
560 Harrison Avenue,
Suite G-4
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 654-9810
(617) 426-9358 Fax
http://www.massmedboard.org/acupuncture/
For information on laws/statutes:
http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/112-148.htm
Examination Requirements:An applicant must graduate from a committee approved acupuncture school with a minimum of 1350 clinical/didactic hours combined. An applicant must document 100 hours of clinic with sole responsibility for diagnosis and treatment of patients within the required 1350 hours of acupuncture education. If the school is in the USA, it must be accredited or in candidacy status with ACAOM.
Examination Requirements: NCCAOM certification accepted.
Board Certification for Chinese Herbology: A licensee who wishes to use herbal therapy, patent or raw herbs, must obtain committee approval by submitting evidence of completion of ACAOM accredited or candidate status oriental medicine program; (2) completion of an herbal medicine program offered by a ACAOM accredited or candidate school that meets ACAOM curriculum requirements regarding herbal medicine or (3) completion of a program that is substantially equivalent to or exceeds the ACAOM curriculum requirements regarding herbal medicine.
MICHIGAN
Michigan Association
of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
P.O. Box 4404
East Lansing MI
48826-4404
(517) 381-0299
(517) 381-9950 Fax
E-mail:
Staff@michiganacupuncture.org
For information on standards and training:
http://www.michiganacupuncture.org/
MINNESOTA
Minnesota Board of Medical Practice
University Park Plaza
2829 University Ave. SE - Suite 500
Minneapolis,
MN 55414-3246
(612) 617-2130
(612) 617-2166 Fax
http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/home.do?agency=BMP
For information on laws/statutes:
http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/147B/
MISSISSIPPI
State Board of Medical Licensure.
According to AOM
Alliance, Mississippi is a state in which there is no legislation or rules
authorizing the practice by licensed acupuncturists.
MISSOURI
Missouri State Acupuncturist Advisory
Committee
3605 Missouri Boulevard
P.O. Box 1335
Jefferson City, MO
65102-1335
(573) 526-1555
(573) 751-0735 Fax
acupuncture@pr.mo.gov
http://pr.mo.gov/acupuncturist.asp
For information on laws/statutes:
http://pr.mo.gov/acupuncturist-statutes.asp
MONTANA
Montana Board of Medical Examiners
301
South Park, 4th Floor
P.O. Box 200513
Helena, MT 59620-0513
(406)
841-2360
(406) 841-2305 Fax
E-mail: dlibsdmed@mt.gov
For information on laws/statutes:
http://mt.gov/dli/bsd/license/bsd_boards/med_board/licenses/med/lic_acup.asp
Examination Requirement: NCCAOM certification required.
MD's, D.O.'s, podiatrists and chiropractors must also pass the NCCAOM examination.
NEBRASKA
Nebraska Health and Human Services
PO Box
94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-4986
(402) 471-2118
For information on laws/statutes:
http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/crl/profindex1.htm
and
http://www.sos.state.ne.us/business/regsearch/Rules/
Health_and_Human_Services_System/Title-172/Chapter-89.pdf
Nevada State Board
of Oriental Medicine
9775 S. Maryland Pkwy., Ste. F-280
Las Vegas, NV
89123
(702) 837-8921
(702) 914-8921 Fax
For information on laws/statutes:
http://oriental_medicine.state.nv.us/
New Hampshire Board
of Acupuncture Licensing
NH DHHS Office of Program Support
Licensing
& Regulative Services
129 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301-3857
(603) 271-4814
(603) 271-5590 Fax
For information on laws/statutes:
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/indexes/328-g.html
State of New Jersey
Acupuncture Examining
Board
PO Box 46019
Newark, NJ 07101
(973) 273-8092
(973)
273-8075 Fax
http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/medical.htm#bme5
For more information:
http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/medical/acupuncture.htm
Board of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
2550 Cerrillos Road
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 476-4630
(505) 476-4545 Fax
Email: acuormedboard@state.nm.us
http://www.rld.state.nm.us/b%26c/acupuncture/index.htm
For information on laws/statutes:
http://www.rld.state.nm.us/b%26c/acupuncture/
Rules%20&%20Law/rules-and-law.htm
NY State Education Department
Office of
the Professions
Division of Professional Licensing Services
Acupuncture Unit
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12234-1000
(518) 474-3817, ext. 270
(518) 402-5354 Fax
Email:
acupbd@mail.nysed.gov
For information on laws and legislation:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/acupun.htm
http://www.asny.org/landl.asp
North Carolina Acupuncture Licensing Board
P.O. Box 10686
Raleigh, NC 27605
(919) 821-3008
(919) 833-5743 Fax
For information on laws and legislation:
http://www.ncalb.state.nc.us/
According to AOM Alliance, North Dakota is a state in which there is no legislation or rules authorizing the practice by licensed acupuncturists. However, a statute has been introduced.
Ohio State Medical Board
77 South High
Street, 17th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215-6127
(614) 466-3934
(614)
728-5946 Fax
http://med.ohio.gov/ACUsubwebindex.htm
For information on laws/statutes:
http://med.ohio.gov/4762index.htm
State Board of Medical Licensure.
MD's and D.O.'s alone are allowed to practice acupuncture. No training is required. Supervision of an acupuncturist by an M.D. is not allowed. Chiropractors can practice acupuncture with additional training.
Oregon Board of Medical Examiners
1500 SW
First Avenue, Suite 620
Portland, Oregon 97201
(971) 673-2700
(971) 673-2670 Fax
http://egov.oregon.gov/BME/
For information on laws/statutes:
http://landru.leg.state.or.us/ors/677.html
http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/rules/OARS_800/OAR_847/847_070.html
Board of Osteopathic Examiners/Board of
Medical Examiners
P.O. Box 2649
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105
(717) 787-8503
http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/site/default.asp
NCCAOM Certification Examination
For
examination information contact:
National Certification
Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), 11 Canal
Center Plaza, Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314. Phone 703-548-9004; FAX
703-548-9097.
State of Rhode Island & Providence
Plantations
Department of Health, Cannon Building
Three Capitol Hill,
Room 104
Providence, Rhode Island 02908
(401) 222-2827
(401) 222-1272 Fax
http://www.health.state.ri.us/hsr/professions/acup.php
For information on laws/statutes:
http://www.rules.state.ri.us/dar/regdocs/released/pdf/DOH/DOH_191_.pdf
Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
P.O. Box 11289
Columbia, SC 29211
(803) 896-4500
(803) 896-4515
For information:
http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/Medical/
According to AOM Alliance, South Dakota is a state in which there is no legislation or rules authorizing the practice by licensed acupuncturists.
Tennessee Department of Health
425 Fifth
Avenue, North
Cordell Hull Building, 3rd Floor
Nashville, TN 37247
(615) 532-4384
(615) 253-4484 Fax
http://www.state.tn.us/health/
For information on rules/regulations:
http://tennessee.gov/sos/rules/0880/0880-12.pdf
Texas State Board of Medical Examiners
P.O. Box 2018 MC - 231
Austin, TX 78768-2018
(512) 305-7030
(512)
305-9416 Fax
http://www.tmb.state.tx.us/professionals/acupuncturists/acupuncturists.php
For information on statutes/rules:
http://www.tmb.state.tx.us/rules/acu/acurandr.php
Division of Occupational and Professional
Licensing
160 East 300 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
(801)
530-6628
(801) 530-6511
http://www.dopl.utah.gov/licensing/acupuncture.html
For information on rules/regulations:
http://www.dopl.utah.gov/licensing/acupuncture_sub_page.html#acupustatutes
Office of Professional Regulation
26
Terrace Street, Drawer 09
Montpelier, VT 05609-1106
(802) 828-2191
(802) 828-2465 Fax
http://vtprofessionals.org/opr1/acupuncturists/
For information on statutes/laws:
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/statutes/fullchapter.cfm?Title=26&Chapter=075
Virginia Board of Medicine
6603 West Broad
St., 5th Fl.
Richmond, VA 23230-1712
(804) 662-9900
http://www.dhp.state.va.us/medicine/advisory/lac/default.asp
For information on statutes/laws:
http://www.dhp.state.va.us/medicine/leg/LicensedAcupuncture2-8-06.doc
Washington Department of Health
Health
Professions Quality Assurance
310 Israel Road
Tumwater, WA 98501
(360) 236-4700
Fax: (360) 236-4818
Email: hpqa.csc@doh.wa.gov
https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/hpqa1/hps3/Acupuncture/default.htm
For information on statutes/laws:
https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/hpqa1/hps3/Acupuncture/laws.htm
West Virginia Acupuncture Board
P.O. Box
157
White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986-0157
(304) 529-4558
http://www.wvs.state.wv.us/acupuncture/
For information on rules/regulations:
http://www.wvs.state.wv.us/acupuncture/rules.html
State of Wisconsin
Dept. of
Regulation and Licensure
Bureau of Health Service Professions
Acupuncture Certification
PO Box 8935
Madison, Wisconsin 53708
(608) 266-2811
http://drl.wi.gov/prof/acup/def.htm
http://drl.wi.gov/boards/rla/index.htm
For information on statutes/laws:
http://folio.legis.state.wi.us/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll?clientID=60854059&infobase=stats.nfo&jump=ch.
451
According to AOM
Alliance, Wyoming is a state in which there is no legislation or rules
authorizing the practice by licensed acupuncturists. However, a statute has
been introduced.