3 States SD, OK, and AL still do not have the Acupuncture Practice Act.
By Namwook Cho, L.Ac.
Using herbal medicine in America is not just for licensed acupuncturists, and even herbal medicine is not included in the scoop of practice in more than half of the states in America, according to Annual Report 2019 of NCCAOM.
19 States do not include herbal formulas in the scoop of practice are AK, AZ, WY, NE, IA, MO, LA, IL, WI, MY, IL, KY, TN, VA, MD, SC, RI, CT, DC.
18 States include herbal medicine in the scoop of practice are WA, OR, CA, ID, MT, UT, CO, ND, KS, MN, MS, GA, WV, NC, NY, NH, ME. The 11 states such as NV, MN, TX, AR, OH, PA, NJ, DE, VT, MA, and FL require NCCAOM’s Chinese Herbology Exam.
As of December 31st, 2019, all states that regulate acupuncture (excepting CA) require at the least passage of the Foundations of Oriental Medicine (FOM) and Acupuncture with Point Location (ACPL) examinations for licensure, and 46 states and the District of Columbia recognize NCCAOM certification or exams for licensure.
11 states require a certificate of the Chinese Herbology for licensure. Vermont does not require Acupuncture certification but asks the Chinese Herbology certification for licensure.
States such as MA and NJ set a condition of holding a valid Chinese Herbology or Oriental Medicine certification for practicing herbs.
There are 3 states: SD, OK, and AL that do not have the Acupuncture Practice Act.
