Education among practitioners varies. Hours invested may range from 1,700 - 4,200 hours and credentials may include diplomas, masters and/or doctoral degrees. Certification (through NCCAOM, the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) may be obtained for Acupuncture (Dipl.Ac.), Chinese herbology (Dipl.C.H.), or Oriental body therapies (Dipl.O.B.T.). Such certification indicates that a practitioner has passed board exams and met the standards set by this national regulatory organization of Oriental medicine, including education at an accredited school.

The Licensing of Acupuncturists and Oriental Medicine Practitioners

More than 40 states have passed statutes or regulations setting standards for the practice of acupuncture by professional acupuncturists. If you live in a state where acupuncturists are regulated, you should seek a Licensed, Registered or Certified Acupuncturist. If you live in an unregulated state, it would be best to locate an individual who maintains a license in another state or who is certified by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental medicine (NCCAOM).

In Minnesota, acupuncture and Oriental medicine practitioners must be licensed in order to practice acupuncture or Oriental medicine. Licensed practitioners of Acupuncture and Oriental medicine use the initials L.Ac. after their names and fall under the jurisdiction of the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice. In order to be a Licensed Acupuncturist in Minnesota, a practitioner must pass national exams, be board certified by the NCAAOM and must complete a minimum of 1,700 hours of study in accredited institution in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Northwestern Health Sciences University is the only institution in Minnesota accredited by the NCCAOM and that offers Master's degrees in both Oriental medicine and acupuncture.

In some areas, doctors of chiropractic are registered to utilize acupuncture as a therapy in the context of chiropractic case management. This application is quite a bit different than you will receive from a licensed acupuncturist.