While licensing requirements vary from state to state, all states have education, clinical and board exam requirements that must be met. In Massachusetts, the licensing of acupuncturists is regulated by the MA Board of Registration in Medicine. They require acupuncturists to have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university, and a post-graduate degree in acupuncture from an accredited acupuncture school. This post-graduate degree is an extensive study, often a three- or four-year program, that includes graduate level courses in both Traditional Chinese Medical theory and Acupuncture, but also in western medical courses such as Western Pathophysiology and Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry and Microbiology. In addition to the education requirement, Massachusetts requires candidates to pass the three national board exams (Foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture Point Location, and Biomedicine) that are administered by the National Certification Committee of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). While the course of study is rigorous and the requirements extensive, Massachusetts prides itself on the safe use of acupuncture by its licensed practitioners.
What Can I Expect During My Treatment?