Advisory Committee for Acupuncture

Continuing Education

Failure to comply with continuing education requirements may result in disciplinary action against the licensee or registrant. The disciplinary action will be reported on the Department of Health license verification web site.

All licensees are required to renew their license every two years. The renewal cycle is set up whereby everyone renews in their birth month. The year they renew depends on whether they were born in an even or odd year. Thus the renewal of their professional license is set up in their birth month every two years.

When renewing, the document that is signed states the licensee has fulfilled all the requirements for renewal. That means no continuing education documentation is to be mailed in with the renewal and that the licensee attests to having obtained the required continuing education. The only time continuing education is to be mailed in is when an official audit is conducted and the licensee is mailed a certified letter from this office requiring submission of the documentation.

All certified acupuncturists must obtain thirty (30) Professional Development Activity (PDA) points, as defined by NCCAOM, during the two (2) calendar year (January 1-December 31) period that precedes the year in which certification is renewed.

All documentation must be retained by the licensee for at least four years from the end of the renewal period in which the continuing education was acquired

The Committee or Board may waive or otherwise modify the requirements in cases where there is retirement, or an illness, disability or other undue hardship that prevents a licensee from obtaining the requisite number of continuing education hours. Requests for waivers or modification must be sent in writing to the Administrative Office prior to the expiration of the renewal period in which the continuing education is due. *This request must be received by our office, in writing, before January 1st of the year your license will expire.*

Acceptable Continuing Education Courses and Activities – The following professional courses and activities qualify for PDA points of continuing education: (a) Courses – One (1) point for each hour of courses that directly enhance an acupuncturist’s knowledge and/or practice of acupuncture. Points may be earned for courses in Oriental medical theory and techniques such as bodywork, nutrition, and herbology, as well as courses in western sciences that relate to the practice of Acupuncture. Points may also be earned for the study of tai chi and qi gong. (b) Research – One point for every two (2) hours of documented research. Acceptable research projects include those that relate to knowledge and/or practice in acupuncture. (c) Writing for Publication – Ten (10) points for each article; Thirty (30) points for a book or major work. Publications include articles, studies, reports, books, etc., that relate to knowledge and/or practice in acupuncture. (d) Teaching/Clinic Supervision – One (1) point for each clock hour of instruction or supervision relating to acupuncture. Teaching or supervision refers to the ongoing responsibility for theoretical and/or practical education. Credit can be earned for a variety of teaching positions, including teaching or clinical supervision in a formal school or preceptorship, provided there is appropriate documentation. (e) Supervised Clinical Experience – One and one-half (1½) points for each clock hour of supervised clinical experience under a senior acupuncturist who has a minimum of five years of experience in acupuncture and is an NCCAOM Diplomate in Acupuncture. The clinical experience may include observation, case discussion, and/or supervised practice.Continuing Education