PEPLS stands for Practical Examination of Point Locations Skills.
CNT stands for Clean Needle Technique.
NACSCAOM is The National Accreditation Commission for Schools and Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
D.O. stands for the Doctor of Osteopathy.
If your state doesn't currently allow the practice of acupuncture or Oriental Medicine, we at Acupuncture.com invite you to write a suggestion letter to either the contact listed or the board if that's all the information I had.
The information that follows may be a little behind the times. It's the most current information we have available at this time, but for more information we urge you to contact the State regulatory agency listed for your state.
Contact: State Board of Medical Examiners
There is no practice act for acupuncturists. Only a medical doctor, osteopath, chiropractor or physician's assistant may practice acupuncture in Alabama. Only the chiropractor must take 100 hours of acupuncture coursework to practice. There are no specific training requirements for any of the others listed above to practice acupuncture.
Contact:
Ms. Nancy Ferguson
Department of Commerce and Economic Development
Division of Occupational Licensing - Acupuncture
P.O. Box 110806
Juneau, Alaska 99811-0806
(907) 465-2541
Educational Requirements: By statute an applicant must have "completed a course of study consistent with the core curriculum and guidelines of the National Council of Acupuncture Schools and Colleges at a school approved by the department."
Contact:
Ms. Sherry B. Mehl
Department of Consumer Affairs
Medical Board, Acupuncture Committee
1424 Howe Ave. Suite 37
Sacramento, CA 95825-3233
(916) 263-2680
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.
Acupuncture is within the scope of practice of medical doctors, though no training is required. Physician's Assistants can perform acupuncture under a supervising physician.
Contact:
Ms. Adrean Harris
Department of Regulatory Agencies
office of Acupuncturists Registration
1560 Broadway, Suite 1300
Denver, CO 80202
Educational and Examination Requirements: NCCA certification is required. New applicants for NCCA certification through formal schooling must complete 1350 hours of entry-level acupuncture education which must include 800 academic and 500 clinical hours.
MD's, D.O.'s may practice acupuncture without any specialized training. Chiropractors must be certified with 100 hours of theory and clinic.
Only MD's, osteopaths, podiatrists, RN's, and Physician's Assistants can perform acupuncture. No training is required.
Only MD's and osteopaths (under an MD's supervision) can perform acupuncture. No training is required.
Contact:
Mr. Keith L. Keemer
Advisory Committee on Acupuncture
D.C. Board of Medicine
605 G. Street. NW. Room LL 202
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 727-5365
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 applicant must them pass the NCCA exam.
Contact:
Division of Medical Quality Assurance
Board of Acupuncture
Northwood Centre
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0761
(904) 488-6015
Examination Requirements:Florida accepts NCCA certification.
There are no requirements for medical doctors or osteopaths to practice acupuncture. Chiropractors may practice acupuncture with 100 hours training.
Only physicians may practice acupuncture in Georgia. 100 hours of training are required.
And don't get caught speeding there, either.
Contact:
Ms. Charlene Kaninau
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Professional and Vocational Licensing Division
Board of Acupuncture
P.O. Box 3469
Honolulu, Hawaii 96801
(808) 586-2698
Examination Requirements:Hawaii accepts NCCA certification.
MD's, D.O.'s, Physician's Assistants, and Chiropractors must all conform to the above regulations.
Acupuncture is not regulated in the state of Idaho.
MD's, D.O.'s, may practice acupuncture without any specific training. The information regarding Chiropractors is ambiguous. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals (May 11, 1992) says Chiropractors can practice, the Department of Professional Regulation says they can't.
MD's and D.O.'s only can practice acupuncture.
Contact:
Ann Martino
Iowa Board of Medical Examiners
1209 E. Court Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0180
(515) 281-5171
Educational Requirements and Examination Requirements have not yet been determined.
Patients must first see an Md., D.O., D.C., Podiatrists, or Dentist. The above Western disciplines are also allowed to practice acupuncture without any additional training.
MD's, D.O.'s, Podiatrists can practice acupuncture. No additional training is required by law.
There is no information available regarding acupuncture in Kentucky. Please consult the State's Board of Medicine.
Contact:
Ms. M. Glasper
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
830 union Street, Suite 100
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112-1449
(504) 524-6763
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.
Contact:
Ms. Diane J. Bradstreet
Dept. of Professional and Financial Regulation
Division of Licensing and Enforcement, State House Station #35
Augusta, Maine 04333
(207) 582-8723
Examination Requirements: NCCA 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.
Contact:
Ms. Barbara Folderauer
Board of Physician Quality Assurance
P.O. Box 2571
Baltimore, Maryland 21215-0095
(301) 764-4781
Educational Requirements. An applicant need only provide evidence of having completed satisfactorily a course of training in acupuncture approved by the Maryland State Board of Higher Education. If not, other specific requirements are set forth by the board.
Examination Requirements: NCCA 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. (It is further suggested, by the makers of Acupuncture.com, that if the Registered Acupuncturist really wants to feel important, a spiffy white lab coat with a stethascope draped over the neck will usually do the trick.)
Contact:
Mrs. Ann Marie Casey
Board of Registration in Medicine
Acupuncture Unit
10 West Street 3d Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02111
(617)727-3086 #363
Examination Requirements: NCCA certification accepted.
An acupuncturist may "commence acupuncture treatments on a patient only after the acupuncturists has on file a written letter of referral or a written diagnosis from a physician, D.O., or dentist duly registered in the commonwealth (of Massachusetts)." MD's and D.O.'s can practice acupuncture. No training is required.
MD's and D.O.'s can practice acupuncture. No training is required. They can also supervise an acupuncturist. It is unclear as to what denotes an acupuncturist in the state of Michigan.
MD's and D.O.'s can practice acupuncture. No training is required. Chiropractors can practice acupuncture provided they take 100 hours of additional training.
MD's, dentists and D.O.'s can practice acupuncture. No additional training is required, although it is recommended.
Contact: State Board of Medical Examiners.
MD's and D.O.'s can practice acupuncture. No training is required. Acupuncturists can work under the supervision of MD's or D.O.'s. Chiropractors can practice acupuncture provided they take 100 hours of additional training.
Contact:
Ms. Patrician England
Department of Commerce
board of Medical Examiners
111 N. Jackson,
P.O. Box 200513
Helena, Montana 59620-0513
(406) 444-1988
Examination Requirement: NCCA certification required.
MD's, D.O.'s, podiatrists and chiropractors must also pass the NCCA examination.
MD's and D.O.'s alone are allowed to practice acupuncture. No training is required.
Contact:
Dr. William M. Edwards
Nevada State Board of Oriental Medicine
434 10th Street
Sparks, Nevada 89431
(702) 359-7025
Educational Requirements: To be a D.O.M. in Nevada, an applicant must have successfully completed a three year course in acupuncture or a four year course in traditional Oriental medicine and have practiced acupuncture and herbal medicine for six years.
Educational Requirements: To be an assistant in acupuncture, an applicant must have successfully completed a three year course in acupuncture; no experience is required.
Examination Requirements: Nevada gives its own examination. MD's can practice acupuncture if he/she has received "adequate training."
MD's and D.O.'s alone are allowed to practice acupuncture. No training is required.
Contact:
Mr. Morris Eugene
Board of Medical Examiners
Department of Law and Public Safety
Acupuncture Examining Board
28 W. State Street Room 602
Trenton, New Jersey 08608
(609) 292-4843
Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree and have successfully completed a board approved two year course of study or a board approved two year program of a school of acupuncture. Schools are limited to those accredited or admitted to candidacy by NACSCAOM.
Examination Requirements: NCCA certification for written the portion, or New Jersey's state sponsored written, plus New Jersey's practical examination.
The initial acupuncture treatment shall only be performed with a referral or diagnosis from a physician.
MD's and dentists can practice acupuncture, but cannot call themselves acupuncturists until passing the above described tests.
Contact:
Ms. Lynn Schmolke
New Mexico Board of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
P.O. Box 25101
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504
(505) 827-7180
Eligibility Requirements: Applicants who begin their education after September 30, 1993 must have completed 2400 clock hours of classes including a minimum of 1100 didactic education in acupuncture and oriental medicine and a minimum of 900 hours of supervised clinical practice.
Examination Requirements: The NCCA written exam is required, along with the New Mexico sponsored practical exam.
M.d.'s, Chiropractors can practice acupuncture with no additional training, though they cannot call themselves "acupuncturists".
Contact:
Ms. Ronnie Hausheer
State Board for Acupuncture
State Education Department
Cultural Educational Center Room 3013
Albany, New York 12230
(518) 473-0221
Eligibility Requirements: An applicant must document completion of 4050 clock hours (three year equivalent) of didactic and clinical work.
Examination Requirements: NCCA written examination is required. Passage of the NCCA PEPLS and an NCCA CNT course is required.
Md.'s, D.O.'s, and dentists must be certified to practice acupuncture. They are required to document 300 hours of training in acupuncture.
Contact:
Ms. Junie Norfleet
North Carolina Acupuncture Licensing Board
P.O. Box 25171
Asheville, NC 28813
(704) 251-0859
Eligibility Requirements: Applicant shall "Successfully complete a three-year postgraduate acupuncture college or training program approved by the Board."
Examination Requirements: Not yet determined.
Md.'s and D.O.'s are allowed to practice acupuncture without any further education or training.
MD's and D.O.'s alone are allowed to practice acupuncture. No training is required. Chiropractors can practice acupuncture with an additional 100 hours training.
MD's, podiatrists and D.O.'s alone are allowed to practice acupuncture. No training is required.
MD's and D.O.'s alone are allowed to practice acupuncture. No training is required. Chiropractors can practice acupuncture with additional training.
Contact:
Ms. Diana Dolstra
Board of Medical Examiners
620 Crown Plaza
1500 SW First Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97201-5770
(503) 229-5770
Eligibility Requirements: Applicant must graduate from a program with a minimum of 750 hours of acupuncture and 484 hours of western medicine fundamentals. The program must include 12 months of clinical training with 250 hours of clinical observation, 500 hours of treatment and diagnosis in not less than nine months.
Examination Requirements: NCCA written credential is accepted. Oregon requires passage of the NCCA PEPLS exam as well.
MD's and D.O.'s are allowed to practice acupuncture. No training is required.
Contact:
Mr. Jack Paruso
P.O. Box 2649
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105
(717) 783-1400
Eligibility Requirements: Graduates of U.S> programs must show two academic years of acupuncture training plus two academic years of a college level educational program.
Examination Requirements: NCCA certification accepted. Practitioners must be supervised by a medical doctor registered as an acupuncture supervisor.
MD's can practice acupuncture provided they complete a 200 hour CEU training program.
Contact:
Mr. Russell J. Spaight
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Department of Health, Cannon Building
Three Capitol Hill
Providence, Rhode Island 02908
(401) 277-2827
Eligibility Requirements: Applicant must have "successfully completed an accredited course of study... at a foreign or domestic college... satisfactory to the department."
Examiination Requirements:NCCA written exam is accepted.
MD's can practice acupuncture with no additional training.
MD's, dentists, and D.O.'s can practice acupuncture with no additional training.
Acupuncturists can practice under the supervision of any of the above listed licensed professionals, provided the treatment takes place in a state approved facility. The acupuncturists training is reviewed by the board on an individual basis.
Chiropractors can practice acupuncture with the completion of a 100 hour course and 100 hours CEU in the two years following certification.
The word "acupuncture" does not exist in the laws regulating the practice of medicine.
Contact:
Cindy Schneider
Texas State Board of Medical Examiners
Acupuncture Advisory Council
P.O. Box 149134
Austin, TX 78714-9134
(512) 834-7728
Eligibility Requirements: Applicant must have graduated from a board approved school of not less than six terms in residence or four months each for a total of not less than 1800 instructional hours, with at least two terms in residence in supervised patient treatment.
Examination Requirements: Not yet determined.
Acupuncture must be performed only on patients referred from MD's, dentists, or chiropractors.
MD's and D.O.'s can practice acupuncture with no additional training. Chiropractors can practice with additional training.
Contact:
Ms. Laura Poe
Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
Herber M. Wells Bldg.
P.O. Box 45805
Salt Lake City, Utah 84145
Eligibility Requirements: Applicant must have completed a course in acupuncture of at least two years, in a school accredited by or in candidacy with NASCSAOM or acceptable to the NCCA, including 500 hours of clinic either in school or post graduate work under a licensed acupuncture practitioner; or have a license or certificate from another state or country after at least two years of equivalent training.
Examination Requirements: The NCCA written exam is required along with the NCCA PEPLS.
Acupuncturists must practice under the supervision of a physician currently licensed in the state of Utah, or an acupuncturist who has been licensed in the state of Utah for not less than three years.
MD's can practice acupuncture with no additional training.
Contact:
B. Newman
Office of Professional Regulation
Redstone Building
26 Terrace Street
Montpelier, Vermont 05602
Eligibility and Examination Requirements: Vermont is a true registration state. Anyone who intends to practice acupuncture must register with the Office of Professional Regulation. There are no eligibility or examination requirements to register.
Chiropractors too, can registered with the above office for their privilege to practice.
Contact:
Ms Eugenia Dorson
Virginia Board of Medicine
6606 W Broad Street 4th Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23230-1717
(804) 662-9925
Eligibility and Examination Requirements have not yet been determined.
MD's, D.O.'s and Podiatrists can practice acupuncture following 200 hours of instruction.
Contact:
Ms. Peggy Henderson
Department of Health Professional Licensing Services
1300 SE Quince Street
P.O. Box 47868
Olympia, Washington 98504-7868
(206) 586-7759
Eligibility Requirements: Applicant must show two years of academic coursework. Clinical work must by completed over a minimum of one academic year, and include 100 hours of observation and at least 400 patient treatments with 100 different patients.
Examination Requirements: NCCA written exam is required along with the NCCA PEPLS and the CNT Course.
Acupuncturists are required to refer the patient out to an MD for specific problems. If the Patient declines the referral, the acupuncture treatment shall not be continued.
MD's and D.O.'s can practice acupuncture with no additional training. Osteopathic physician acupuncture assistant is a unique designation that requires completion of a minimum of two academic years of undergraduate college education in the general sciences and humanities plus 700 hours of acupuncture theory, diagnosis and treatment techniques plus acupuncture clinical training of one year with a minimum of 400 separate patient treatments.
MD's, D.O.'s and podiatrists may practice acupuncture provided they register with the board and complete an "acceptable course of study." Chiropractors can practice after 120 hours of training.
Contact:
Ms. Pam Mickelson
Dept. of Regulation and Licensure
Bureau of Health Service Professions
Acupuncture Certification
P.O. Box 8935
Madison, Wisconsin 53708
(608) 267-7222
Eligibility Requirements: Applicant must show the equivalent of at least two consecutive years of full time education and clinical work in Oriental diagnostic and therapeutic theories and practices at a school accredited by the NACSCAOM or the NCCA Examination Requirements: NCCA exam accepted, plus CNT Course. MD's, D.O.'s, Podiatrists and Physician's Assistants can practice acupuncture without additional training.
Acupuncture is not regulated in Wyoming.
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