Florida Laws & Details

Formal Education Requirements:  Completion of a three-year course of study in acupuncture and Oriental medicine and, effective July 1, 2001, a four-year course of study in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, which meets standards established by the board by rule.

The rules require that applicants who apply for licensure on or after October 1, 2003 must have graduated from an ACAOM candidate or accredited four-year master's level program or foreign equivalent in Oriental medicine with a minium of 2,700 hours of supervised instruction, 2 hours of medical errors, 15 hours of universal precautions, 3 hours of HIV/AIDS and 20 hours in Florida statutes and rules.

Undergraduate Requirements:  60 college credits.

Other Eligibility Requirements:  An applicant must be at least 18 years old, and a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or legal alien in the U.S. for six months prior to the date of application.

Written Exam:  The board currently approves as the Florida examination for licensure the NCCAOM written examinations consisting of the Foundations of Oriental Medicine Module and the Acupuncture Module.

Practical Exam:  The NCCAOM Point Location Module.

Reciprocity/Endorsement:  Endorsement is possible if an applicant is "actively licensed in a state which has examination requirements that are substantially equivalent to or more stringent than Florida," or has completed a national certification process.  However, all applicants must also meet the educational and general eligibility requirements for licensure.

Medical doctors and osteopaths may practice acupuncture in Florida without any specific training.  

Chiropractors must be certified with 100 hours of training

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.

Florida Department of Health
Board of Acupuncture
4052 Bald Cypress Way
Bin C-06
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3257
(850) 245-4161

Practice Act:  Chapter 456 and Chapter 457.

Florida State Oriental Medicine Association (FSOMA)
P.O. Box 331097
Atlantic Beach, FL  32233
(800) 578-4865
[email protected]

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