Pennsylvania Licensure Requirements
Master's Degree
1 Examination
No Experience Requirement
3 Hours of Continuing Education
$30.00 Initial Fee
$40.00 Renewal Fee
An acupuncturist who is licensed by the State Board of Medicine to use herbal therapy. Herbal therapy is the application of East Asian herbology to the treatment of acupuncture patients.
Degree Requirement:
Master's Degree
An applicant must successfully complete an acupuncture education program that includes the study of East Asian herbology.
Examination/Certification Requirement:
1 Examination
An acupuncturist applicant must:
1. Pass the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) examination component in Chinese herbology or another equivalent Board-approved East Asian herbology examination; and
2. Obtain NCCAOM certification in Chinese herbology or Oriental medicine
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.
2 Hours (when renewing license)
As a condition of biennial renewal, 2 hours of training on the topic of child abuse recognition and reporting must be completed. The Practitioner of Oriental medicine must also meet biennial renewal requirements for their license to practice acupuncture.
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.