Acupuncturists learn the safe and sanitary handling of needles.
Acupuncturists provide alternative healthcare to patients for a variety of ailments, including migraines, stress, joint pain and other uncomfortable conditions. The ancient Chinese treatment dates back thousands of years, although American acupuncture intertwines techniques and philosophies from Japan, Korea and other countries. Acupuncturists use needles to stimulate various points throughout the body to release pain-blocking endorphins, causing relief in acupuncture recipients. To practice acupuncture, you'll need to meet formal qualifications before working with patients.
Certification
Some U.S. states require that acupuncturists hold a medical degree or have a chiropractic background. Acupuncture certifications are designed for professionals who already hold medical credentials, such as a physician or chiropractor, but wish to add acupuncture to their healing repertoire. Qualifications for medical acupuncture include 200 to 300 hours of training, which combine in-person lectures with home study assignments. Acupuncturists may also have to meet clinic experience requirements; for example, the American Board of Medical Acupuncture requires 100 hours of hands-on training.
Licensure
Licensed acupuncturists must complete an average of 2,700 hours of training at an accredited acupuncture school or college. In the United States, the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine accredits acupuncture schools. Some states require acupuncturists to hold a master's degree in acupuncture before beginning practice. Candidates must meet clinical experience qualifications, including completing 250 acupuncture patient treatments. Coursework might include anatomy, biophysics, nutrition, herbology and needle technique. As part of the qualification process, prospective acupuncturists must pass a national certification exam hosted by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Prior to becoming licensed, acupuncturists may complete apprenticeships to gain additional knowledge. Some acupuncture schools require applicants to have previously completed undergraduate anatomy or physiology courses. Applicants for certification must be at least 18 years old.
Recertification
For acupuncturists, licensure is maintained by completing required continuing education courses. Although physicians, chiropractors and other medical field professionals take professional development coursework as part of their primary occupations, additional continuing education courses aren't required for an acupuncture certification.
Personality
In some cases, acupuncturist candidates must meet moral and ethical standards for behavior, according to the American Board of Medical Acupuncture. Applicants whose acupuncture practices don't meet the board's standards may be denied certification; those who have already met qualifications may lose their certification. Because acupuncturists may be working with ill or nervous patients, it helps to have a calm, professional demeanor and the patience to explain procedures or negate misconceptions. Since acupuncturists are often self-employed, additional qualifications include a basic understanding of business practices, such as liability insurance, pricing scales, marketing and invoicing.
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