Education, Training & Licensure of
Acupuncturists & Oriental Medicine Practitioners

Historically in the U.S., standards for licensure of Acupuncturists and Chinese Medicine doctors have varied widely from state-to-state.  In some areas, acupuncturists are considered to be primary care physicians, in other states their legal status is little more than technicians.  Regardless of the official legal status in your locale, Chinese Medicine is a rich, powerful system of medicine that can successfully treat most conditions. In California, all practitioners of Chinese Medicine are primary health care providers and operate as Licensed Acupuncturists and use the initials LAc after their name to denote this.

California licensure for acupuncturists includes the ability to practice acupuncture, electroacupuncture, manual therapy (chinese medical massage), acupressure, cupping, breathing techniques, rehabilitation exercises, prescription of herbs, nutrition, plant, animal, and mineral products, and dietary supplements to promote, maintain and restore health.

Currently, in California, in order to become a Licensed Acupuncturist one must graduate from an accredited school of Chinese Medicine with a Masters Degree in Chinese Medicine (MSCM). This degree includes the study of both Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. This differs slightly from most other states, where study and licensure of acupuncturists does not include the study of Chinese Herbology. The State of California also administers its own licensing exam, which applicants must pass after they graduate from their Chinese Medicine school. The California Licensing Exam is a rigorous exam that requires more educational hours than any other state and holds its applicants to a the highest standard in the United States. In addition to the MSCM degree, there have historically been a wide range of degrees granted by schools; you may also see the title Doctor of Oriental Medicine (DOM), Oriental Medical Doctor (OMD), or simply a PhD title along with someone’s LAc.

In addition to acupuncture and oriental herbs, the course of study in Oriental Medical school includes theory and philosophy of Chinese Medicine, Western basic medical sciences and hands on clinical training. In California, this equates to minimum of four years of education and training in a graduate program.

Licensure in the state of California is regulated by the California Acupuncture Board, Click Here for More Info.