Licensing & Certification - Acupuncture And Oriental Medicine
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 1998, twenty nine states plus the District of Columbia use NCCAOM certification 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 June 1999, individuals applying to take the NCCAOM Acupuncture examination through the formal education route of eligibility must have graduated from an accredited school with a minimum of 1,725 hours of educational training in Acupuncture at the time of application.
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. The NCCAOM Acupuncture examination is given in two parts:
1. Comprehensive Written Exam (CWE)
2. Practical Examination of Point Location Skills (PEPLS)
The PEPLS is a practical point location exam involving the location of 15 points in 15 minutes.
The NCCAOM also offers a CWE in Chinese Herbology. Eligibility requirements for this examination include graduation from a formal full-time school or college program in Oriental Medicine. The school must document at least a three-year, comprehensive curriculum providing a minimum of 1,800 hours of entry-level Oriental Medicine education (minimum 300 hours of herbs, 500 hours of clinic).
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. The 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 & 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 certification in CPR and First Aid.
- Pay a fee of $750.00 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, 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 his/her 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)
11 Canal Central Plaza, Suite 300
Alexandria, VA 22314
ph: 703.548.9004
e-mail: info@nccaom.org
Council of Colleges of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (CCAOM)
1010 Wayne Ave., Suite 1270
Silver Spring, MD 20910
ph: 301.608.9175
fx: 301.608.9576
American Association of Oriental Medicine (AAOM)
433 Front Street
Catasauqua, PA 18032
ph: 610.266.1433
fx: 610.264.2768
National Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Alliance (NAOMA)
14637 Starr Road SE
Olalla, WA 98359
ph: 206.851.6896
fx: 206.851.6883
Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (ACAOM)
Maryland Trade Center # 7501 Greenway Center Drive, Ste. 820
Greenbelt, MD 20770
ph: 301 - 313-0855
fx: 301 - 313-0912
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