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Acupuncturists

Certification, Licensing, and Special Requirements

Certification or Licensing

For acupuncture, certification indicates that an individual meets the standards established by a nationally recognized commission. Licensing is a requirement established by a state's governmental body that grants individuals the right to practice within that state. Licensing requirements vary widely around the country and are changing rapidly.

Certification and licensing are usually achieved by meeting educational requirements and passing an examination. Forty-five states and the District of Columbia use the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) standards as an integral part of their licensing process. To become nationally board-certified in acupuncture, NCCAOM requires applicants to have followed one of the following: a formal education route, apprenticeship route, professional acupuncture practice route, or combination of training and experience. All applicants must complete a Clean Needle Technique course and pass the NCCAOM Acupuncture Examination, which consists of a written examination and the Point Location Examination.

Many states certify only licensed physicians to practice acupuncture, while others extend this right to chiropractors. In certain states, an acupuncturist is granted the right to practice only after a ruling from the state's board of medical examiners. Some states with no requirements for practicing acupuncture are considering legislation on the subject.