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Education and Practice Standards

Education and Practice Standards for Licensed Acupuncturists

Acupuncture Institutional Accreditation

The US Department of Education recognizes the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) as a specialized accreditation agency to accredit professional non-degree, graduate degree programs, and professional doctoral programs, in the field of acupuncture and/or East Asian medicine.  It also certifies freestanding institutions and colleges of acupuncture and/or East Asian medicine that offer such programs.

The ACAHM is a not-for-profit corporation in the United States charged to ensure that the accrediting body meets specific standards established by Congress.   The Secretary of Education is charged with reviewing accrediting bodies and providing recognition to those accrediting agencies meeting their criteria. ACAHM maintains a directory of Accredited and Pre-accredited Programs & Institutions.

 

Acupuncture Licensure

After completion of an accredited masters or doctorate degree, there are several  further requirements to obtain an acupuncture license:

  1. Graduates are required to complete the Clean Needle Technique course and test through the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine before being eligible to sit for any board exams.
  2. Board exams measure basic competency in biomedicine, acupuncture, the foundations of Chinese Medicine and elective Chinese Herbal Medicine. Current information is available through the NCCAOM.
  3. Each state has a medical license application that includes background check, and many states have additional requirements for licensure.   Maintaining a current license in the state of Vermont requires recertification  every two years, and completion of additional continuing education during the renewal interval.

Continuing Education

Most states and the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) require a specific number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in a range of categories such as acupuncture, herbs, biomedicine, Safety, Ethics, and CPR. Visit NCCAOM or Vermont Secretary of State for more information.

Events & Workshops

On this page, you will find information and links to current events and workshops that off CEUs, advanced training, or other professional events.

Your Classes Dashboard

View classes you’ve already registered for past and present.

Licensed Independent Practitioners

The United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics classify Licensed Acupuncturists as licensed independent practitioners that diagnose and treat.

Acupuncture Medicine encompasses the full scope of Licensed Acupuncturists (L.Acs or Lic.Acs) as taught in accredited Acupuncture Masters and Doctorate degree programs. Primary acupuncturists practice a dynamic medical paradigm, informed by assessment and resulting in diagnosis and application of acupuncture and related modalities (herbal medicine, tui na massage, moxibustion, gua sha, cupping, and dietary & lifestyle adjustment.)

Certification requires passing 3-4 national board exams after 3,000 hours of education and clinical internship. Other providers of therapies that often are categorized as acupuncture might utilize basic frameworks such as dry needling or ear acupuncture protocols that require 0-300 hours of non-accredited training or oversight, and can be unlicensed, unregulated, or illegal.

Acupuncture medicine fill gaps in understanding and treatment of pain, dysfunction, and disease, ranging from systemic influences to patient environment to mind-body-spirit integration.  Our contribution to healthcare is paramount to changing the paradigm of medicine away from sick management towards wellness, prevention and person-centered care.