Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine: Expertise You Can Trust
Extensive Training and Certification
Becoming a licensed acupuncturist requires years of intensive education, clinical practice, and testing. Practitioners in the U.S. must earn a degree from an accredited acupuncture program, complete hundreds of hours of supervised clinical training, and pass rigorous exams.
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Certification is granted by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), and acupuncturists must revalidate their certification regularly to maintain the highest professional standards. This ensures that only highly trained and qualified professionals can practice safely and effectively.
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Global Recognition
Acupuncture is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) for its effectiveness and is used in prestigious hospitals and healthcare centers worldwide.
Find a Certified Practitioner
To ensure you are working with a fully trained professional, you can search for NCCAOM-certified acupuncturists by ZIP code and within a 50-mile radius:
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Becoming a Licensed Acupuncturist: The Steps to Expertise
Formal Education
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Complete a degree from an accredited acupuncture or Oriental medicine program (typically a Master’s degree).
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Coursework includes Chinese medicine theory, acupuncture techniques, herbal medicine, anatomy, physiology, and biomedical sciences.
Clinical Training
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Complete hundreds of hours of supervised clinical practice.
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Gain hands-on experience diagnosing, treating, and managing patients under professional supervision.
National Certification Exams
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Pass the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) exams​
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These exams rigorously test knowledge, clinical reasoning, and patient safety.
State Licensure
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Meet all state-specific requirements to obtain a license to practice.
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Some states require additional exams or jurisprudence tests.
Continuing Education & Revalidation
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Maintain certification through continuing education courses.
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Revalidate every few years with the NCCAOM to ensure updated knowledge and clinical competence.
Professional Ethics & Standards
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Adhere to strict professional and ethical standards, including patient safety, confidentiality, and evidence-based care.
Why This Matters
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Becoming a licensed acupuncturist is not easy—it requires years of study, hands-on practice, testing, and ongoing learning. This ensures that patients are treated safely and effectively by highly trained professionals.