What’s Behind an Acupuncture License?
Individual state requirements vary. Most states regulate acupuncture licensing through the state medical board and accept a national certification of Acupuncture through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), sometimes with a few additional requirements.
Earning and Updating the NCCAOM National Acupuncture Certification
Bachelor’s degree: University at Buffalo
Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Music Performance Minor, 2009
I graduated from the State University at Buffalo in 2009 with a Bachelor in Science and a minor in Music Performance. I was involved in research and originally planned on studying to earn a PhD in how the brain understands music.
Prerequisite college level courses: Biology, Calculus, Physics
Master’s Degree: National University of Natural Medicine
Master of Acupuncture, 2014
My 4 year program exceeded the minimum requirements of licensing, which require a 3 year (1905 hour) program. Study includes Acupuncture Theory, Clinic (both as a student observer and student acupuncturist), Biomedical education, and Ethics.
Clean Needle Technique (CNT) Certification: Use of acupuncture needles is regulated via this national safety course. CNT requirements are kept up to date based on the most recent research on the best safe-use practices of acupuncture needles.
NCCAOM Board Exams: For Acupuncture licensing without use of Chinese Herbology, three exams are required. Acupuncture with Point Location, Foundations of Oriental Medicine, and Biomedicine.
Continuing Education: Keeping up NCCAOM certification requires 60 hours of continuing education every 4 years.
Health Care Professional Basic Life Support Certification: Basic life support skills including CPR, AED use, and ventilation. Must be updated every 2 years.
PA State Acupuncture License through the Medical Board
Mandatory Reporting Course: Identify and report signs of child abuse. Updated every 2 years.
Criminal History Check: In this state and prior states that you’ve lived in for the past 5 years.
National Practitioner Data Bank report: regulated by the US Department of Health and Human services, this report shows a history of medical malpractice payments, adverse licensure or privileges actions, or any past judgments and convictions.
Educational transcripts and verification: Direct documentation of a Master’s degree from an accredited school.
NCCAOM Exam Documentation: Documentation of completion of Board Exams. NCCAOM also provides documentation of the completion of Clean Needle Technique course.
Letter of Good Standing: Required from any state where you have previously held a license. I have held licenses in both New York and Massachusetts.
Malpractice Insurance: Proof of malpractice insurance is required for licensing. I am covered through CM&F, and have been with them since originally becoming licensed.
Resume Curriculum Vitae: listing all periods of employment or unemployment from graduation from acupuncture school to present.