Acupuncture School and Licensing Overview
Get Acupuncture School, Certification, Licensure and State Regulation Info
Get Acupuncture School, Certification, Licensure and State Regulation Info
Find Acupuncture Schools | Acupuncture Career and School Guide
| | "Alternative medicine's traditional therapies, such as massage, acupuncture and ointments play a major role for sooner patient recovering." Acupuncture is one of the most ancient healing modalities in the world—more than 2,000 years old—but there's never been a better time to pursue an acupuncture career. |
Being an acupuncturist can be a very rewarding and exciting profession, but finding the right acupuncture college and knowing what to expect when starting your acupuncture career are a crucial elements in your acupuncture career success.
Preparing For Acupuncture School
Being prepared for acupuncture school will save you both time and education dollars. Here are some important considerations for choosing the acupuncture school that's right for you:
- Knowing your chosen acupuncture college's prerequisites – Many acupuncture schools do not require candidates to have an undergraduate degree. However, all Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) accredited schools require at least two years of undergraduate study, such as community college, prior to entry. Many schools prefer that applicants have a bachelor's degree in a related field.
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- Anticipating the cost of your acupuncture education – Tuition varies greatly by acupuncture school. According to ACAOM, tuition and supplies can range from $6,000 to $12,000 per year, and most programs last three years.
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- Understanding the importance of an accredited acupuncture school – Attending an ACAOM accredited school provides an education with a seal of approval.
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- Applying for financial aid – If you need financial assistance, you may want to attend a college accredited by ACAOM because it is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, enabling federal student loan eligibility.
Each acupuncture school has a college admissions office that can help you research the schools of your choice. Here is a list of colleges that are accredited by ACAOM:
Get more acupuncture education information.
Typical Length of Acupuncture School Training Programs
Most acupuncture colleges accredited by ACAOM offer a 3-year course of study in acupuncture. Alternatively, you may wish to pursue a 4-year program that includes Chinese herbology and other TCM modalities for you acupuncture degree.
The Difference Between a Master's
Program and a Degree Program
There isn't a difference between these acupuncture degree programs. An acupuncture degree is a master's degree. Sometimes it is called a Masters in Acupuncture (MA) or Master's in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MAOM). Generally Oriental, or Chinese Medicine refers to extra training in herbs and therapies, other than acupuncture.
Is There a Doctorate Program for
Acupuncture and Oriental or Chinese Medicine?
After several years of development and discussion, the Accreditation Commission presented a blueprint of a doctorate in Oriental medicine at its November 1998 meeting. As a result, today there are many doctorate programs offered in acupuncture and Oriental medicine.
Existing MD and DC Training Options
Many acupuncture schools provide advanced training to health professionals and have evening classes which do not interfere with regular working hours.
When adding acupuncture under an already existing license (DC, DO or MD), the practitioner needs to check with their state boards to find out whether they qualify or what they need to do to get their acupuncture licensure. The number of training hours required varies greatly, depending on the state regulations, so make sure you do your research.
Practitioners can also check with the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) for additional acupuncture licensure information.
Acupuncturist Certification and Licensing
Only graduates of ACAOM-accredited acupuncture schools—or schools that are currently in the process of becoming accredited—can take the national certification exams offered by NCCAOM. Most states that license acupuncturists require certification by NCCAOM. Each state has different specific licensing requirements for acupuncturists, so it's very important to research your state's requirements.States that Regulate Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
Knowing about your state's acupuncture laws and licensing before you attend school will help you choose a an acupuncture college training program that is suited for your practice. Here is a break down by state:
States that have specific acupuncture and Oriental Medicine laws:
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California* (has its own exam), Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana* (has no exam), Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada* (has its own exam), New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin
*States that do not require NCCAOM in acupuncture licensing
States that allow practice through a ruling by the Board of Medical Examiners:
Kansas and Michigan
States in which legislation has been introduced:
Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Wyoming
If you have information or need assistance regarding legislation in progress, please contact the Acupuncture Alliance.
States That Don't Regulate The Practice of Acupuncture
In states that do not recognize acupuncturists as a licensed medical practitioner, the acupuncturist may be required to work under the supervision of another medical person, such as a medical doctor or an osteopathic doctor. In a few states, the practice of acupuncture is restricted to medical doctors or their equivalent.
Practicing Acupuncture in Different States
Thirty-two states and the District of Columbia use NCCAOM Certification as the main examination criteria for licensure. Each state may also choose to set additional eligibility criteria (usually additional academic or clinic hours). For example, Texas and California are two states with additional requirements. A small number of states have additional practical examination requirements such as passing the CNT (Clean Needle Technique) exam.
Some acupuncture licensure confusion arises when a practitioner moves from a state with less licensing requirements to a state with more licensing requirements. You may be able to satisfy these requirements by taking some additional acupuncture school hours or passing the additional exams. Contact the American Association of Oriental Medicine if you have additional questions when relocating your acupuncture practice.
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