How qualified is your Acupuncturist?
To become an Acupuncturist, A student attends a graduate school program in Traditional Chinese Medicine for 3 -4 years. Most acupuncture schools require 2,500-3,000 hours of training before graduation. Once the training has been completed, graduates sit for the national exam given by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), which is the ONLY National Board examination certifying Acupuncturists in the United States.

A Minimum of 1,800 hours of Chinese Medical Education and supervised clinical training, plus graduation from an Accredited Acupuncture School (which now require a minimum of 2,475 hours) is needed to sit for this exam. It is a two day test of written and practical Acupuncture skills and theory.

An Acupuncturist, after passing the NCCAOM is awarded the title "Diplomate of Acupnuncture of the NCCAOM" (Dipl.Ac.) Certification is renewed every four years with the requirement of completing at least 60 hours of continuing education.

The Colorado State Department of Regulatory Agencies regulates acupuncture, in the state of Colorado. Only those who pass the NCCAOM exam are awarded the title of "Licensed Acupuncturist" (L.Ac.) by the State of Colorado.

The Acupuncture Association of Colorado (AAC) is the Professional Association for NCCAOM Board Certified - Licensed Acupuncturists in this state. AAC Professional members are L.Ac and/or NCCAOM Dipl.Ac's.

So, how qualified is YOUR Acupuncturist?
Ask them what their training was? Ask if they are L.Ac and/or NCCAOM certified?