Accreditation Agencies
Acupuncture education in the United States is regulated by a single national organization. The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) is the national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit Master's-level programs in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. The Commission fosters excellence in acupuncture and Oriental medical education by establishing standards for graduate programs in acupuncture and Oriental medicine.The Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) comprises member organizations that are accredited by ACAOM. list below includes links to national and state organizations that regulate the practice of acupuncture. The CCAOM holds as it mission the advancement of acupuncture and Oriental medicine by the promotion of educational excellence within the field.
Professional Publications
Acupuncture Today
American Journal of Acupuncture
Medical Acupuncture
Professional Associations
American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental (AAAOM)
http://www.aaaomonline.org
Mission: to promote excellence and integrity in the professional practice of acupuncture and Oriental medicine, in order to enhance public health and well-being.
State Acupuncture Associations
Individual websites collected at:
http://www.aaaomonline.org/45050.asp
Mission: Varies depending on association.
Texas Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (TAAOM)
http://www.taaom.org/
The Texas Acupuncture Association (TAA) was founded in 1992 before the practice of acupuncture was legal in the State of Texas. It was through their efforts that acupuncture became legal and professionally licensed in Texas. In 2001 TAA changed its name to the Texas Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (TAAOM) in order to better represent all facets of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA)
http://www.aobta.org/
American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA®) is a non-profit, professional membership organization representing instructors, practitioners, schools and programs, and students of Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT).
American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA)
http://www.medicalacupuncture.org/
Purpose: to promote the integration of concepts from traditional and modern forms of acupuncture with Western medical training and thereby synthesize a more comprehensive approach to health care.
American Herbal Products Association (AHPA)
http://www.ahpa.org/
Mission: to serve its members by promoting the responsible commerce of products which contain herbs and which are used to enhance health and quality of life.
Licensing Boards
Acupuncture licenses are granted by state governments and licensure laws and scope of practice regulations are unique to each state. At the national level, the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) administers the national board examinations for acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and Asian Bodywork Therapy and aims to "establish, assess, and promote recognized standards of competence and safety in acupuncture and Oriental medicine for the protection and benefit of the public." Most US states require national board certification for licensure.