Professional Resources

Accreditation Agencies

Acupuncture education in the United States is regulated by a single national organization. The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) is the national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit Master's-level programs in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. The Commission fosters excellence in acupuncture and Oriental medical education by establishing standards for graduate programs in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. The Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) comprises member organizations that are accredited by ACAOM.  The list below includes links to national and state organizations that regulate the practice of acupuncture. The CCAOM holds as it mission the advancement of acupuncture and Oriental medicine by the promotion of educational excellence within the field.

Licensing Boards

Acupuncture licenses are granted by state governments and licensure laws and scope of practice regulations are unique to each state. At the national level, the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) administers the national board examinations for acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and Asian Bodywork Therapy and aims to "establish, assess, and promote recognized standards of competence and safety in acupuncture and Oriental medicine for the protection and benefit of the public." Most US states require national board certification for licensure.

Regulatory Agencies by State

Alabama*
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota*
Ohio
Oklahoma*
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota*
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming*

*As of June 2010, these states either do not regulate or provide licensure for acupuncturists.