Acupuncture Laws by State
The information that follows was taken from the 1995 Edition of
"Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Laws"
To obtain your own copy, please contact:
National Acupuncture Foundation
1718 M Street, Suite 195
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 332-5794
or, call "Bookmasters" at (800) 247-6553
Abbreviations you'll see a lot on this page:
NCCA stands for the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists.
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.
Alabama
There are about 30 chiropractors practicing acupuncture in Alabama.
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.
Alaska
There are 14 Licensed Acupuncturists in Alaska.
Contact:
Ms. P.J. Gingras
Department of Commerce and Economic Development
Division of Occupational Licensing - Acupuncture
P.O. Box 110806
Juneau, Alaska 99811-0806
(907) 465-2695
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." NCCA certification is required.
More Information Links to full text of Statutes
(Title 8-Chapter 6)
Arizona
Contact: State Board of Medical Examiners.
There is no practice act for acupuncturists. MD's, Naturopaths, Homeopathic
physicians and osteopaths can practice acupuncture. Chiropractors and Physician's
Assistants can practice if certified by the board. This requires at least 50
credit hours of study.
Arkansas
Contact: State Medical Board.
There is currently no licensing board for acupuncture and there has been no ruling
regarding whether acupuncture falls with the definition of the practice
of medicine. Legislation, House Bill 1031, is pending and needs your support.
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House Bill 1031
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California
There are 3.049 actively licensed acupuncturists in California.
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.
Colorado
There are 143 Registered Acupuncturists in the state of Colorado.
Contact: Ms. Ouida Magee
Department of Regulatory Agencies
office of Acupuncturists Registration
1560 Broadway, Suite 1310
Denver, CO 80202 - 5140
(303) 894-7758 #301
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.
Connecticut
Contact: State Department of Health Services-Medical Licensure
Only MD's, osteopaths, podiatrists, RN's, and Physician's Assistants can
perform acupuncture. No training is required.
Delaware
Contact: Board of Medical Practice
Only MD's and osteopaths (under an MD's supervision) can perform acupuncture.
No training is required.
District of Columbia
There are 42 Acupuncturists in the District of Columbia.
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.
Florida
There are 442 Certified Acupuncturists in Florida.
Contact: Penny Perkins
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.
Georgia
Contact: Composite State Board of Medical Examiners.
Only physicians may practice acupuncture in Georgia. 100 hours of training
are required.
And don't get caught speeding there, either.
Hawaii
There are 276 Licensed Acupuncturists practicing in Hawaii.
Contact:
Ms. Charlene Kaninau Tamanaha
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.
Idaho
Contact:State Board of Medicine.
Acupuncture is not regulated in the state of Idaho.
Illinois
Contact: Department of Registration and Education.
MD's, D.O.'s and Chiropractors may practice acupuncture without any specific
training.
Indiana
Contact: Health Professions Bureau
MD's and D.O.'s only can practice acupuncture. It has not been determined
whether a medical doctor or D.O. can supervise an acupuncturist.
Iowa
There are not yet any Registered Acupuncturists in the state of Iowa.
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 : The NCCA
comprehensive examination including the acupuncture theory and clean needle
technique portions are required as is the NCCA PEPLS exam.
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.
Kansas
Contact: State Board of Healing Arts.
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 or or referral
by a M.D., D.O., or D.C.
Kentucky
Contact: State Board of Medicine
The practice of acupuncture constitutes the practice of medicine and as
such may only be engaged in by licensed physicians. Licensed physicians
may not employ unlicensed practitioners and therefore may not supervise
acupuncturists.
Louisiana
There are two practitioners of acupuncture currently licensed in Lousiana.
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.
Maine
There are 45 Licensed Acupuncturists in the State of Maine.
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.
Maryland
There are 259 Registered Acupuncturists in the state of Maryland.
Contact:
Ms. Penny Heisler
State Board of Acupuncture
Room 513
4201 Patterson Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215
(410) 764-4766
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, approved by NACSCAOM, or
found by the Board to be equivalent to a course approved by NACSCAOM. Or, an applicant may qualify for licensing after successful completion of an apprenticeship in another state consisting of at least 2,700 hours within a five year period. Restrictions apply. An
applicant need not take an examination if she/he has met these educational
qualifications.
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.)
Massachusetts
There are 434 Licensed Acupuncturists in the state of Massachusetts.
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.
Michigan
Contact: Board of Medicine.
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.
Minnesota
Contact: Board of Medical Practice.
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.
Mississippi
Contact: State Board of Medical Licensure.
MD's, dentists and D.O.'s can practice acupuncture. No additional training
is required, although it is recommended. An acupuncturist may not practice under the supervision of an M.D., or D.O.
Missouri
There are 341 Chiropractors practicing acupuncture in the "Show Me
a needle" state of Missouri.
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.
Montana
There are 68 Certified Acupuncturists in the Big Sky Country of Montana.
Presumably, they practice beneath a roof.
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.
Nebraska
Contact: State Board of Examiners in Medicine and Surgery.
MD's and D.O.'s alone are allowed to practice acupuncture. No training is
required. M.D.'s cannot supervise a practicing acupuncturist.
Nevada
There are 30 Doctors of Oriental Medicine and Assistants in Acupuncture.
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. However, there are two more levels of licensing, one is the "Acupuncturist" and the other is Doctor of Oriental Medicine. Once you have practiced under the supervising Doctor of Oriental Medicine for six years you can become an acupuncturist. It is unclear as to what or how one becomes a Doctor of Oriental Medicine in Nevada. Please contact the Board for more information.
Examination Requirements: Nevada gives its own examination. MD's
can practice acupuncture if he/she has received "adequate training."
New Hampshire
Contact: State Board of Registration.
MD's and D.O.'s alone are allowed to practice acupuncture. No training is
required. Supervision of a practicing acupuncturist is not allowed.
New Jersey
There are 45 Certified Acupuncturists.
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.
New Mexico
There are 270 Doctors of Oriental Medicine in New Mexico.
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 and PEPLS exams are 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".
New York
Since 1976, NYS has licensed more than 500 Licensed acupuncturists. These are non-physician
acupuncturists. In addition, they have certified 652 physicians to practice
acupuncture.
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: For licensure of non-physician acupuncturists
in NYS, they require completion of a program of 4050 clock hours (Most 3-year
NACSCAOM-accredited programs meet this requirement.) In addition, an individual
must have completed a minimum of 60 semester hours from an accredited college
or university (or the equivalent), including 9 semester hours in the biosciences.
We also require course work in anatomy, pathology and physiology. Finally,
as with all the licensed professions in NYS, proof of English proficiency
is required.
North Carolina
There are 7 Licensed Acupuncturists in North Carolina.
Contact:
Ms. Junie Norfleet
North Carolina Acupuncture Licensing Board
P.O. Box 25171
Asheville, NC 28813
(704) 255-8965
Eligibility Requirements: Applicant shall "Successfully complete
a three-year postgraduate acupuncture college or training program approved
by the Board."
Examination Requirements: NCCA written and PEPLS exams are required.
North Dakota
Contact: State Board of Medical Examiners.
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. It has not been determines whether or not a MD can supervise an acupuncturist.
Ohio
Contact: State Medical Board.
MD's, podiatrists and D.O.'s alone are allowed to practice acupuncture.
No training is required. Supervision of an acupuncturist is not allowed.
Oklahoma
Contact: 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
There are 168 Licensed Acupuncturists in Oregon
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 and PEPLS exams are accepted.
MD's and D.O.'s are allowed to practice acupuncture. No training is required.
Pennsylvania
There are 249 Acupuncturists practicing in Pennsylvania
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.
Rhode Island
There are 45 Doctors of Acupuncture in Rhode Island.
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 required.
MD's can practice acupuncture with no additional training.
South Carolina
Contact: State Board of Medical Examiners.
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 acupuncturist's training is reviewed by the board on an individual
basis.
South Dakota
Contact: State Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners.
Chiropractors can practice acupuncture with the completion of a 100 hour
course and 100 hours CEU in the two years following certification.
Tennessee
Contact: Tennessee Department of Health and Environment.
The word "acupuncture" does not exist in the laws regulating the
practice of medicine.
Texas
There 154 Licensed Acupuncturists in the state of Texas.
Contact:
Jane Peyton Rogers
Texas State Board of Medical Examiners
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: NCCA written and PEPLS exams are required.
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.
Utah
There are 22 Acupuncture Practitioners in the Beautiful state of Utah.
Contact:
Ms. Laura Poe
Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
Herber M. Wells Bldg.
P.O. Box 45805
Salt Lake City, Utah 84145
(801) 530-6736
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. Additionally, an examination on Utah laws and rules is required.
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.
Vermont
There are an unknown number of Registered Acupuncturists in Vermont.
There are no Certified Acupuncturists in Vermont.
Contact:
Ms. Rita Knapp
Office of Professional Regulation
Redstone Building
26 Terrace Street
Montpelier, Vermont 05602
(802) 828-2363
Eligibility and Examination Requirements: Completion of a three year program in acupuncture and Oriental medicine with a minimum of 800 hours of supervised clinical practice approved by the director.
NCCA exam is accepted.
Chiropractors can registered with the above office for their privilege
to practice.
Virginia
There are 3 Licensed Acupuncturists in Virginia.
Contact:
Ms Eugenia Dorson or Russell Porter, Ph.D.
Virginia Board of Medicine
6606 W Broad Street 4th Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23230-1717
(804) 662-9908
Eligibility and Examination Requirements Applicants who graduated from a NACSCAOM accredited school must document 1,000 hours of training. The language is rather lengthy, and those interested in more info, are encouraged to call the Virginia Board of Medicine. NCCA written and PEPLS exams are accepted.
MD's, D.O.'s and Podiatrists can practice acupuncture following 200 hours
of instruction.
Washington
There are 169 Licensed Acupuncturists (formally "certified acupuncturist")
in the state of Washington.
Contact:
Ms. Erika Newton
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 written, PEPLS and the CNT Course are required.
Acupuncturists are required to refer the patient out to an MD for specific
acute 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.
West Virginia
Contact: WV Association of Oriental Medicine
590 Willey Street
Morgantown, WV 26505
E-mail: sample29@citynet.net
Acupuncturists are now being licensed, (new for 1996!)
Examination Requirements: Requirements include: graduation from a NACSCAOM accedited course (1800 hrs with 300 clinical)
or an equivalent course;
OR passing score on the NCCA exam or an equivalent exam;
OR a five year appenticeship of 2700 hrs;
OR practice and licensure in another state (jurisdiction) for at least
three years prior to application in WV.
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.
Wisconsin
There are 108 Acupuncturists in Wyoming
Contact:
Mr. Alfred Hall, Jr.
Dept. of Regulation and Licensure
Bureau of Health Service Professions
Acupuncture Certification
1400 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, Wisconsin 53702
(608) 267-7223
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. Chiropractors cannot practice acupuncture without receiving the same training as listed above for acupuncturists.
Wyoming
Contact: State Board of Medical Examiners.
Acupuncture is not regulated in Wyoming.
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