Acupuncture Licensure

Definition

"Acupuncture" is defined as a form of health care developed from traditional and modern oriental medical concepts that employ oriental medical diagnosis and treatment, and adjunctive therapies and diagnostic techniques, for the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health and the prevention of disease.

Eligibility for Licensure

To be eligible for licensure to practice acupuncture in Iowa, State regulation requires that an applicant must show the following:

Successful completion of a three-year postsecondary training program or acupuncture college program which is accredited by, in candidacy for accreditation by, or which meets the standards of the National Accreditation Commission for Schools and Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Current active status as a diplomate in the NCCAOM;
Sufficient knowledge of the English language;

An applicant who passed the NCCAOM written and practical examination components in English may be presumed to have sufficient proficiency in English.
An applicant who passed NCCAOM written or practical examination components in a language other than English shall pass the Test of Spoken English (TSE) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), examinations administered by the Educational Testing Service. A passing score on TSE is a minimum of 50. A passing score on TOEFL is a minimum overall score of 550 on the paper-based TOEFL that was administered on a Friday or Saturday (formerly special or international administration) or a minimum overall score of 213 on the computer-administered TOEFL, or a minimum overall score of 79 on the Internet-based examination.

Successful completion of a course in clean needle technique approved by the NCCAOM.

Those not Required to Obtain Acupuncture Licensure

Physicians (M.D., D.O.), Chiropractors, Dentists, and Podiatrists can practice acupuncture under their Iowa professional license according to IAC 653-17.2(148E).

A student practicing acupuncture under the direct supervision of a licensed acupuncturist as part of a course of study approved by the Board as one that leads to eligibility for licensure is not required to obtain a license.

Application

To apply for licensure in Iowa, an applicant must provide the following:

A non-refundable application fee; which includes criminal histroy background check.
A completed application form provided by the Board including required credentials and documents;
An Authorization for Release of Personal Information form, signed and dated and returned to the Board;
Verification of Licensure/Registration form(s) from the appropriate regulatory authority in every jurisdiction that an applicant has ever practiced acupuncture, sent directly from the regulatory authority to the Board;
The NCCAOM score report verification form submitted directly to the Board by the NCCAOM;
An official statement from the NCCAOM that the applicant holds current active status as a diplomate in NCCAOM;
An official statement showing successful completion of a course in clean needle technique approved by the NCCAOM;
A disclosure Sheet that includes the following:
- the name, business address, and business telephone number of the acupuncturist;
- a fee schedule;
- a listing of the applicant's education, experience, degrees, certificates, or other credentials related to acupuncture awarded by a professional acupuncture organization, and the length of time required to obtain degrees or credentials;
- a statement indicating any license, certificate, or registration in a health care occupation which was revoked by any local, state, or national health care agency;
- a statement that the acupuncturist is complying with statutes and with rules adopted by the Board, including a statement that only pre-sterilized, disposable needles are used by the acupuncturist;
- a statement that the practice of acupuncture is regulated by the board; and
- a statement indicating that a license to practice acupuncture does not authorize a person to practice medicine and surgery in this state, and that the services of an acupuncturist must not be regarded as diagnosis and treatment by a person licensed to practice medicine and must not be regarded as medical opinion or advice.

Fees

Click here to check the fee for an acupuncture license.

How to Obtain an Application

Download the application and forms off our website.

Title

An acupuncturist who is licensed as such by the Board of Medicine may use the words "licensed acupuncturist" or "L.Ac." to connote professional standing after the licensee's name.

License Discipline

The Board of Medicine is authorized to discipline licensed acupuncturists who violate the law. You may report an acupuncturist to the Board for a possible violation of the law by calling LuAnn Brickei at (515) 242-3252 or by submitting an on-line form. Fill in information about the acupuncturist where the form states “physician.”

License Renewal

After an acupuncture license is issued, the license expires every two years on October 31st of even years. Submitted renewal applications must contain a renewal fee of $300, along with documented evidence that the licensee has completed 30 professional development activity points and holds a current active status as a diplomate in the NCCAOM. A professional development activity (PDA) means any activity for the purpose of continuing a person's education that is defined and approved by NCCAOM. One PDA point equals one hour of of continuing education.