Acupuncture Law in New York State

Acupuncture has been a licensed profession in the State of New York since 1991. The practice of acupuncture is recognized by the Office of Professions alongside the 50 New York State licensed professions, including medical doctors, chiropractors, and dentists.

Key provisions of New York State acupuncture law (Title 8, Article 160, §8214 of NYS Education Law and 8 NYCRR Parts 52.16 and Subpart 79-2):

• Licensed acupuncturists are entry-level providers — they may treat patients without first obtaining a medical referral
• A licensed acupuncturist may treat patients for "diseases, disorders and dysfunctions of the body for the purpose of achieving a therapeutic or prophylactic effect"
• The licensed acupuncturist is not limited to the treatment of a specific disease condition nor confined to a specific body part
• A licensed acupuncturist must advise patients of the importance of medical consultation regarding their condition
• A licensed acupuncturist must maintain a signed patient attestation form in the patient record, as required by Article 160, NYS Education Law. The law affords the practitioner a broad scope of practice, consistent with the holistic perspective promoted by the Graduate School of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine.

New York State Licensure Requirements

To qualify for an acupuncture license in New York State, an applicant must:

• Complete and file an application with the New York State Education Department
• Provide evidence of satisfactory completion of a registered course of formal study (i.e., New York College of Health Professions Acupuncture program) or its substantial equivalent
• Have experience in accordance with the Commissioner's regulations
• Pass examination(s) satisfactory to the NYS Board (i.e., NCBAHM exams)
• Pass the Clean Needle Technique (CNT) Examination
• Be at least 21 years of age
• Be of good moral character as determined by NYSED
• Have earned nine college credits in the biosciences (automatically satisfied by completing the BPS/MS degree)
  • Note: Per NYSED, biosciences are defined as biological sciences and do not include chemistry or physics. ????HS 310 (Chemistry) does not satisfy this requirement.???
• Hold current Red Cross or American Heart Association certification in CPR and First Aid
• Pay a fee of $788 total to NYSED for initial licensure, and $288 for each triennial registration

Licensing and Certification

The Acupuncture program requirements exceed the certification and licensing standards set forth by the appropriate regulatory bodies. Graduates are well prepared for the NCBAHM national certification exams, which are required by New York State for licensure.

Disclosure of State Requirement for Acupuncture License

Completion of the current Acupuncture program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification needed for employment as detailed in the Disclosure of State Requirement for Acupuncture License.

Additional details can be found on NCBAHM's State Licensure Requirements website by clicking on each state to see the details and procedures for applying for licensure or certification.

National Certification Board for Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM)

The NCBAHM (formerly the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, or NCCAOM, renamed effective January 2, 2026) was established by the profession to promote nationally recognized standards in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine and to ensure public safety.

Key points:

• NCBAHM certification represents professional recognition of competency
• Certification does not authorize or license an individual to practice acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine — licensure and registration are state regulatory functions
• As of the most recent data, 46 states plus the District of Columbia use NCBAHM examinations as an integral part of their licensure process
• The manner in which states use the NCBAHM process varies — some states accept NCBAHM certification as the sole educational, training, or examination criteria for licensure, while others have set additional eligibility requirements, including jurisprudence or practical examinations
• Applicants should check with the appropriate state agency for information on the application of NCBAHM certification and any recent legislation affecting eligibility criteria

NCBAHM Certification Policies

Candidates applying for NCBAHM certification in Acupuncture, Chinese Herbology, and/or Oriental Medicine are required to complete a prescribed set of examination modules to earn the desired credential. Key information:

• Individuals applying through the formal education route of eligibility must have documentation of the minimum educational requirements as specified by NCBAHM
• Certification demonstrates competency for licensure recognized by regulatory bodies, third-party payers, the profession, and the public
• California licensure may require additional training; please see the California Acupuncture Board's educational requirements for details

Contact NCBAHM:

National Certification Board for Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM) 2025 M Street NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20036 Tel: (202) 381-1140 Email: info@ncbahm.org Web: www.ncbahm.org

Clinical Education

Clinical Training Progression

The clinical education component is structured in progressive phases:

1. Introduction to Clinic (C 301) — Classroom-based preparation covering clinic policy and procedure, clinical behavior and professionalism, patient care, infection control, OSHA, HIPAA, and Clean Needle Technique
2. Clinic Grand Rounds I & II (C 401, C 402) — Observation of licensed acupuncturists and student interns in practice, with increasing patient interaction including tongue observation, pulse taking, and case discussion
3. Clinic Assistantship (C 403) — Active participation in patient treatment alongside student interns under supervision, preparing students for the responsibilities of internship
4. Clinical Internship Series (C 501, C 502, C 503) — The culminating phase of clinical training in which students take full responsibility for patient evaluation and treatment under the supervision of a licensed acupuncturist, including intake, pulse and tongue diagnosis, treatment planning, and administration of acupuncture and adjunctive therapies. Students work in pairs and must complete four clinic shifts per week for 15 weeks (180 hours/trimester) during each internship trimester
5. Clinical Analysis & Case Histories (C 511, C 512, C 513) — Concurrent coursework supporting the internship experience through case discussion, clinical reasoning, review of traditional and modern case histories, and professional development

Completion of all clinic requirements is required for graduation.

Acupuncture Clean Needle Technique (CNT) Examination

The Council for Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (CCAHM) administers the Clean Needle Technique (CNT) Examination as a requirement for licensure in many states, including New York.

• The College requires that students achieve a passing grade on the CCAHM CNT exam as a prerequisite for entrance into the acupuncture teaching clinics
• Students must apply for and pass this exam during the second year of the Acupuncture program
• The CNT exam demonstrates professionalism and competence in clean needle technique and asepsis prior to undertaking the clinical internship experience

NCBAHM Review Courses

The New York College of Health Professions offers review courses through its Continuing Education Department to help graduates prepare for national certification and licensure examinations:

• NCBAHM Acupuncture Certification Exam Review — A comprehensive review course covering Acupuncture with Point Location, Foundations of Oriental Medicine, and Biomedicine content areas to prepare candidates for the NCBAHM board examinations
• Clean Needle Technique (CNT) Examination Review — A preparatory course covering sterile technique, infection control, and safety protocols required for the CCAHM-administered CNT exam, which is a prerequisite for New York State licensure

For schedules, fees, and registration, contact the Continuing Education Department at 1-800-922-7337 ext. 130 or visit www.nycollege.edu.

Useful Contacts