California Laws & Details

Formal Education Requirements:  An applicant must graduate from a California Acupuncture Board approved school.  Students entering an acupuncture and Oriental medicine educational training program prior to January 1, 2005 must complete 2,348 hours (1,548 theoretical hours and 800 clinical hours) in the following areas:  Traditional Chinese Medicine (660 hours); Clinical (800 hours); Western Sciences (558 hours); Herbal (300 hours) and Ethics and Practice Management (30 hours).

Students entering an acupuncture and Oriental medicine educational training program after January 1, 2005 must complete 3,000 hours (2,050 theoretical hours and 950 clinical hours) in the following areas:  Basic Sciences (350 hours); Oriental Medicine Principals, Theories and Treatment (1,255 hours [includes 450 hours in herbs]); Clinical Medicine, Patient Assessment and Diagnosis (240 hours); Case Management (90 hours); Practice Management (45 hours); Public Health (40 hours); Professional Development (30 hours) and Clinical Practice (950 hours).

Undergraduate Requirements:  Satisfactory completion of at least two academic years (60 semester credits/90 quarter credits) of education at the baccalaureate level that is appropriate preparation for graduate level work, or the equivalent from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.

Written Exam:  An applicant must pass a written examination developed and administered by the California Acupuncture Board.  The examination covers five content areas that reflect the current job competencies in the practice of acupuncture in California as follows:  Patient Assessment - 29%; Developing a Diagnostic Impression - 20%; Providing Acupuncture Treatment - 29%; Prescribing Herbal Medicinal - 17%; and Regulations for Public Health and Safety - 9%.

Other Elibigility Requirements:  An applicant must be 18 years old.

Reciprocity/Endorsement:  No.

Medical doctors, dentists and podiatrists may practice acupuncture in California without any specific training. 

Acupuncture is not within the scope of practice of chiropractors.

NOTE: Look for a physician with formal training in the practice of acupuncture.  Acupuncture and Oriental medicine is an art and a science that takes years to master. While any licensed physician can stick needles into you, for a positive experience and results, find an acupuncturist with experience treating a similar condition (with acupuncture) to what you have.

California Acupuncture Board
444 N. 3rd Street, Suite 260
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-3021
(916) 445-3015 (Fax)

Practice Act:  Statutes, Regulations

California State Oriental Medical Association
703 Market Street, Suite 250
San Francisco, CA 94103
(800)477-4564 (Voice + Fax)
[email protected]

United California Practitioners of Chinese Medicine
4563 Winding Way
Sacramento, CA 95841
(415) 806-6653
(916) 489-6708 (Fax)

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