Acupuncture is a medical treatment originating from China that involves inserting needles into the skin to rebalance the body’s qi. Acupuncture education and certification vary greatly worldwide, with the US having some of the strictest requirements. The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) sets the standards for education and requires completion of a two- or four-year undergraduate degree and a three- to four-year degree program in acupuncture, among other requirements. There are over 60 accredited acupuncture schools in the US.
Acupuncture is a form of medical treatment where needles are inserted into the skin at carefully chosen points. The needles are said to help rebalance the body’s qi, or life energy. This practice originated in China and is still considered by many in the Far East to be a form of medical care comparable to modern Western treatments. During the second half of the 20th century, acupuncture began to become more popular in
Western countries, though for most people, are still only used to complement traditional medical care.
In China, acupuncture education can be found along with other medical training programs at any college or university. Acupuncturists in the East are subject to the same educational and professional standards as any other type of physician. In the rest of the world, however, the quality and availability of acupuncture education and certification varies greatly. Most countries, including the UK, do not have licensing requirements for acupuncturists, although some may offer voluntary certification programs. In Canada and Australia, some provinces require formal acupuncture education and licensing, although the practice is not regulated throughout the rest of the country.
The US has some of the strictest formal requirements for acupuncture education outside of China. Although standards are set by individual states, nearly all states have adopted the requirements set by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). This organization requires applicants to complete a two- or four-year undergraduate degree, followed by a three- to four-year degree program in acupuncture. Students must complete over 3,500 hours of study in acupuncture, oriental medicine, biomedicine, and Chinese herbs. The student must also complete 660 hours of clinical practice under the supervision of a trained professional.
Per NCCAOM standards, all acupuncture education must be conducted at a school accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). Once all educational requirements are met, the student will take the NCCAOM exams. Upon successful completion of these exams, the student will be awarded the title of Licensed Acupuncturist or Doctor of Oriental Medicine. In California, students must take an additional state exam before state licensure is granted, but in other US states, a candidate can freely practice acupuncture once licensed.
As of 2009, there are over 60 acupuncture schools in the US that have been accredited by the ACAOM. ACAOM has been recognized by the US Department of Education as the only organization authorized to accredit acupuncture schools in the US. Students who study acupuncture at one of these accredited schools are eligible for the same federal financial aid programs as students at traditional colleges and universities.
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