National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)

The NCCAOM was established by the profession to promote nationally recognized standards in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and to ensure public safety. NCCAOM certification represents professional recognition. It does not authorize or license an individual to practice Acupuncture or Chinese Herbal Medicine. Licensure and registration are state regulatory functions.

As of 2009, forty-one states plus the District of Columbia use NCCAOM examinations as an integral part of their licensure process.

The manner in which states use the NCCAOM process varies. In some states, NCCAOM certification is the only educational, training or examination criteria for licensure. Other states have set additional eligibility criteria. A small number of states have additional jurisprudence or practical examination requirements. Please check with the appropriate state agency for information on the application of NCCAOM certification and recent legislation which affects eligibility criteria.

NCCAOM Certification Policies

Effective July 1, 2004 individuals applying to take the NCCAOM examinations through the formal education route of eligibility must have documentation of a minimum of the following:

Pre-Graduation Eligibility Requirements for Acupuncture
1490 HOURS OF EDUCATION:
* 1490 didactic hours

Pre-Graduation Eligibility Requirements for Chinese Herbology
2050 HOURS OF EDUCATION:
* 1640 didactic hours (350 must be Chinese Herbology specific)
* 410 clinical hours

Pre-Graduation Eligibility Requirements for Oriental Medicine
2050 HOURS OF EDUCATION:
* 1640 didactic hours
* 410 clinical hours

Graduates of the New York College's Graduate School of Oriental Medicine automatically fulfill these eligibility requirements since the Programs are fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), recognized by the NCCAOM.

Review Courses

The New York College offers review courses for the NCCAOM exams in both Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology and for the Acupuncture Clean Needle Technique Examination through its Continuing Education Department.

Acupuncture Clean Needle Technique Examination

The Council for Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) administers the Clean Needle Technique (CNT) Examination as a requirement for licensure in the State of New York. New York College believes that anyone wishing to enter the student Acupuncture or Oriental Medicine Teaching Clinics should first pass this examination as a demonstration of professionalism and competence. Therefore, a passing grade on the CNT Examination is a prerequisite for entrance into the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Teaching Clinics. Students must apply for and pass this exam during the second year of the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine programs.

Requirements for a New York State License to Practice Acupuncture

To qualify for an Acupuncture License in the State of New York an applicant must fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete and file an application with the New York State Education Department.
• Provide evidence of satisfactory completion of a course of formal study or its substantial equivalent in accordance with the commissioner's regulations. (ie. New York College Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine programs)
• Have experience in accordance with the commissioner's regulations.
• Pass an examination satisfactory to the New York State Board and in accordance with the commissioner's regulations. (ie. NCCAOM exam)
• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Be of good moral character as determined by the New York State Education Department.
• Have earned nine college credits in the biosciences.
• Hold current Red Cross or American Heart Association certification in CPR and First Aid.
• Pay a fee of $788.00 to the New York State Education Department for the initial licensure and a fee of $250.00 for each triennial registration.

Acupuncture Law in the State of New York

Acupuncture has been a licensed profession in the State of New York since 1991. The licensed practitioner of Acupuncture in New York State has thereby joined the ranks of the medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, dentist, psychologist and chiropractor as a primary health care provider. Licensed Acupuncturists, in other words, may treat patients without first obtaining a medical referral.

Article 160 of the New York State Education Law contains within it the definition of the profession of Acupuncture, as well as the scope of practice of the licensed Acupuncturist. The law clearly states that a licensed Acupuncturist may treat patients for "diseases, disorders and dysfunctions of the body for the purpose of achieving a therapeutic or prophylactic effect." To paraphrase, the licensed Acupuncturist is not limited to the treatment of a particular type of disease condition, nor is he/she confined to treatment of a specific body part. In addition, the law requires that a licensed Acupuncturist must advise his/her patients of the importance of medical consultation regarding their condition. The law which governs the practice of Acupuncture in New York State affords the practitioner a broad scope of practice, consistent with the holistic perspective promoted by The New York College's Graduate School of Oriental Medicine.

Useful Contacts

New York State Education Department
Office of Professional Credentialing
Professional Licensing Services
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230
ph: 518 473-0221

National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
76 South Laura Street, suite 1290
Jacksonville, FL 32202
ph: 904 598-1005
fax: 904 598-5001
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Council of Colleges of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (CCAOM)
600 Wyndhurst Ave., Suite 112
Baltimore, MD 21210
ph: 410 464-6040
fax: 410 464-6042

American Association of Acupunture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM)
P.O. Box 162340
Sacramento, CA 95816
ph: 916 443-4770
fax: 916 443-4766
toll free: 866 455-7999

National Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Alliance (NAOMA)
14637 Starr Road SE
Olalla, WA 98359
ph: 206 851-6896
fax: 206 851-6883

Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) 
14502 Greenview Drive
suite 300B
Laurel, MD 20708
ph: 301 313-0855
fax: 301 313-0912