Acupuncturist Licensure Requirements Snapshot

Pennsylvania Licensure Requirements

An individual licensed to practice acupuncture by the State Board of Medicine. Acupuncture is the stimulation of certain points on or near the surface of the body by the insertion of needles to prevent or alleviate the perception of pain or to normalize physiological functions, including pain control, for the treatment of certain diseases or dysfunctions of the body. The term also includes the use of supplemental techniques.

Degree Requirement: 

Completion of Acupuncture Program 

The State Board of Medicine will license as an acupuncturist an applicant who successfully completed an acupuncture program, which includes a course in needle sterilization techniques.

An acupuncture education program is defined as training and instruction in acupuncture or supplemental acupuncture techniques offered by a degree-granting institution authorized by the Department of Education that leads to a master’s degree, master’s level certificate or diploma or first professional degree, that meets the relevant and appropriate requirements of 22 Pa. Code (relating to education) and 24 Pa.C.S. Chapter 65 (relating to private colleges, universities and seminaries) and that meets or exceeds the standards required for acupuncture or Oriental medicine programs established by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.

Certification/Examination Requirement: 

The applicant must obtain a passing grade on an the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) acupuncture examination component in acupuncture and sterilization procedures or has have been certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). The NCCAOM must also verify completion of the Clean Needle Technique Course.

English Proficiency:

The applicant must demonstrate English proficiency by one of the following methods:

-        The applicant’s examination was taken in English.

-        The applicant’s acupuncture educational program was conducted in English.

-        The applicant has achieved a scaled score of at least 83 on the TOEFL® Internet-based test (IBT), a 220 for the TOEFL® computer-based test (CBT), or a 550 on the TOEFL® paper-based test (PBT), or an equivalent score on a successor examination of the TOEFL®.

-        The applicant has achieved a score of at least 350 on each of the four sub-tests of the OET for any of the health-related professions.

-        The applicant has achieved a passing score on an English language proficiency examination, equivalent to the TOEFL® or OET, as determined by the Board. The Board will make available a list of equivalent Board-approved English language proficiency examinations on its web site.

Experience: 

No Experience Requirement for Licensure

Continuing Education: 

3 Hours (for initial licensure) 

Applicants must complete 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting for initial licensure. 

30 Hours (when renewing license)

As a condition for biennial renewal, an acupuncturist Applicants must complete 30 hours of mandatory continuing education, including 2 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting. 

Initial Licensing Fee: 

$30.00

Licensure Renewal Fee: 

$40.00

Licensure by Endorsement under Section 27 of the Medical Practice Act:

The Board will grant a license without restriction to an applicant who does not meet the standard license requirements if the applicant has achieved cumulative qualifications that are endorsed by the Board as being equivalent to the standard requirements for the license. 

Licensure by Act 41:

Act 41 promotes licensure portability for out-of-state professionals seeking to work in Pennsylvania. Act 41 authorizes all licensing boards and commissions within the Commonwealth to endorse licenses issued by other states, territories, and jurisdictions, provided the applicant meets certain criteria. Specifically, an applicant must:

- Hold a current, active license in good standing in another jurisdiction whose licensing requirements are substantially equivalent to or exceed Pennsylvania’s.

- Have no disciplinary action or criminal convictions.

- Have been actively engaged in the licensed practice of the profession for at least two of the last five years.

- Demonstrate competence, as determined by the Board; this may include education, continuing education, or other standards set by the Board.

- Meet any other administrative requirements such as fees.