What Training is Required to Be an Acupuncturist?

Acupuncture is a profession that has given us us wonderful fulfillment knowing that we have helped hundreds of individuals resolve serious health problems in a natural way.

This is really what’s at the heart of becoming an acupuncturist — the love of the science behind oriental medicine and the desire to transform the lives of others. Becoming an acupuncturist requires several years of intense schooling, but for those of us who have chosen this as our lifetime profession; it is one of the most rewarding career paths available.

Interested in a career in acupuncture? We think you’ll find these insights interesting.

How to become an acupuncturist

First, there’s an extensive education requirement.

While there are some variations from state to state, most require a master’s degree or the equivalent to practice acupuncture. In Connecticut, training must come from an accredited acupuncture school.

In order to be admitted to an acupuncture school, students must complete at least two years of college, although most schools require a bachelor’s degree. While there, they can expect to study topics such as:

• Theory and practice of oriental medicine

• Biomedical clinical sciences

• Herbal studies

• Treatment techniques

After completing the program, students will have a master’s degree or its equivalent. After students receive their education and pass a series of national board exams, they will be eligible to apply for a license to practice acupuncture.

Licensure to Practice Acupuncture

In Connecticut, practitioners must meet the following educational requirements to become eligible for licensure:

• Completion of 60 semester hours of postsecondary study

• The acupuncture program within the school must be accredited by The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM)

• A minimum of 1,905 hours of both classroom study and clinical training must be completed

• At least 660 of those hours must be clinical

Our state also requires that candidates successfully complete all of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) acupuncture examinations. This includes the:

• Acupuncture Portion (ACP) of the Comprehensive Written Examination (CWE) in Acupuncture

• The Clean Needle Technique Portion (CNTP) of the Comprehensive Written Examination (CWE) in Acupuncture

• Practical Examination of Point Location Skills (PEPLS)

Acupuncture is Both an Art and Science

As you see, acupuncturists meet stringent qualifications in order to ensure you will benefit from high-quality, safe and effective treatment. However, we believe this extensive list of requirements only tells part of the story.

Why would we invest so much time, expense and effort to become acupuncturists?

Because we love what we do.

While all of our staff have met or exceeded these stringent qualifications, we believe there is one requirement that has not been mentioned. We believe it is vital that those seeking a career in this field are absolutely dedicated to providing patients with the highest level of care possible.

There’s something special about improving our clients’ health in a safe, natural way. We encourage you to schedule an appointment to see for yourself why we believe in this ancient healing art. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.

Connecticut Family Acupuncture is dedicated to helping as many people as possible realize their optimum health naturally, without the use of pharmaceutical or surgical interventions. We are committed to our patients and utilize our extensive knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine to address each individual’s health concerns. Connecticut Family Acupuncture has offices in Bolton. Contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.