The following is an outline of formal schooling and examination requirements for licensure in the various states. It does not provide complete information regarding eligibility requirements. For example, some states require applicants to graduate from an accredited college or fulfill an English language requirement. A few recognize apprenticeship as a route to licensure; most do not.

ALASKA
　　Formal schooling requirements: A course of study consistent with the core curriculum and guidelines of the CCAOM
　　Undergraduate Requirements: None
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Department of Commerce and Economic Development
　　Division of Occupational Licensing - Acupuncture
　　PO Box 110806
　　Juneau, AK 99811-0806
　　(907) 465-2695

　　ARIZONA
　　Formal schooling requirements: 1850 hours including 800 hours of clinical
　　Undergraduate Requirements: None
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Arizona Board of Acupuncture Examiners
　　1400 W. Washington #230
　　Phoenix, AZ 85007
　　(602) 542-3095

　　ARKANSAS
　　Formal schooling requirements: 4 academic years including 800 hours of clinical
　　Undergraduate Requirements: 60 semester credit hours, including 30 credit hours in science
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture and Chinese herbology

　　CALIFORNIA
　　Formal schooling requirements: 4 academic years (2348 hours including 800 clinical) with a minimum of 1548 hours of theory including biology, organic biochemistry, physics, psychology, anatomy and physiology, pathology, nutrition and vitamins (400 hours); history of medicine, medical terminology (30 hours); clinical sciences such as internal medicine, pharmacology, neurology, surgery and clinical medicine including dentistry, nursing, chiropractic and homeopathy, western pharmacology and CPR (128 hours); Tai Chi, Qi Gong, traditional Oriental medicine theory and diagnosis, needling techniques, moxibustion, and acupressure (660 hours); herbology (300 hours including botany); practice management and ethics (30 hours)
　　Undergraduate Requirements: None
　　Examination: California examination

Contact:
　　Department of Consumer Affairs
　　Medical Board, Acupuncture Committee
　　1424 Howe Ave. Suite 37
　　Sacramento, CA 95825-3233
　　(916) 263-2680

　　Additional California Information
　　For acupuncture, the schools in California conform to the standards set by the national accreditation body, ACAOM, that is recognized by the federal Department of Education. To be licensed, you must graduate from an accredited school and pass the national board exam. Unlike some states, California also requires additional hours of training in herbal medicine and the passing of an herbal medicine exam. The California schools all include this as part of their regular master's program.

In most cases, licensing of acupuncture is reciprocal -- i.e. if you're licensed in one state, you're licensed in all the states that license acupuncture. However, approximately 20 states do not license the profession and a few do not allow the independent practice of acupuncture. It's worth checking BEFORE you move. For the most accurate and up-to-date information concerning the laws governing acupuncture, the National Acupuncture Foundation publishes a book called "Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Laws." Most schools have a current copy available in their library or career counseling center.

COLORADO
　　Formal schooling requirements: NCCAOM certification
　　Undergraduate Requirements: None
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Department of Regulatory Agencies
　　Office of Acupuncturists Registration
　　1560 Broadway, Suite 680
　　Denver, CO 80202 - 5140
　　(303) 894-2464

　　CONNECTICUT
　　Formal schooling requirements: 1350 hours including 500 hours of clinical
　　Undergraduate Requirements: 60 semester hours
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Department of Public Health
　　Division of Medical Quality Assurance
　　410 Capitol Ave.
　　MS # 12 APP P.O. Box 34308
　　Hartford, CT 06134-0308
　　(860) 509-7562

　　DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
　　Formal schooling requirements: 3 academic years including 500 hours of clinical
　　Undergraduate Requirements: None
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Advisory Committee on Acupuncture
　　D.C. Board of Medicine
　　614 H. Street. N.W. Room 108
　　Washington, DC 20001
　　(202) 727-5365

　　FLORIDA
　　Formal schooling requirements: 3 years (2413 hours including 600 clinical) including 330 hours of biomedical clinical science (including 90 hours of pathology, 120 hours of anatomy and physiology, and 120 hours of western biomedical and diagnostic terminology); 1155 hours of traditional Oriental acupuncture diagnosis and treatment (including 705 hours of Oriental medical theory, diagnosis and treatment in acupuncture and related studies and 450 hours of herbal studies); 30 hours of adjunctive therapies, 200 hours electives of adjunctive therapies; 15 hours of universal precautions; 3 of HIV/AIDS, and 20 in Florida laws

Effective July 1, 2001, a 4-year course of study in acupuncture and Oriental medicine including western anatomy, western physiology, western pathology, western biomedical terminology, first aid, and CPR

Any person who enrolled before August 1, 1997 must have completed a 2-year course of study including courses in western anatomy, Western physiology, and Western pathology Undergraduate Requirements: 60 college credits
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Division of Medical Quality Assurance
　　Board of Acupuncture
　　220 Capital Circle S.E., Bin #C 06
　　Tallahassee, FL 32399-32560761
　　(904) 488-6015

　　HAWAII
　　Formal schooling requirements: 1500 hours including 2 academic years (600 hours) of didactic plus 12 months (900 hours) clinical
　　Undergraduate Requirements: None
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
　　Professional and Vocational Licensing Division
　　Board of Acupuncture
　　PO Box 3469
　　Honolulu, Hawaii 96801
　　(808) 586-3000 (for application information)

　　ILLINOIS
　　Formal schooling requirements: NCCAOM certification
　　Undergraduate Requirements: None
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Illinois Department of Professional Regulation
　　320 W. Washington Street
　　Springfield, IL 62786
　　(217) 782-8556

　　IOWA
　　Formal schooling requirements: 2 years
　　Undergraduate Requirements: 60 semester hours including at least 30 semester hours from an accredited institution of higher education other than accupuncture school. Of the 60 semester hours, 12 shall be in the biosciences such as human anatomy, physiology, and general or advanced biology
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Licensure and Administration
　　Iowa Board of Medical Examiners
　　1209 E. Court Avenue
　　Des Moines, IA 50319-0180
　　(515) 281-6489

　　LOUISIANA
　　Formal schooling requirements: 36 months
　　Undergraduate Requirements: None specified
　　Examination: None

Contact:
　　Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
　　830 Union Street, Suite 100
　　New Orleans, LA 70112-1449
　　(504) 524-6763

　　MAINE
　　Formal schooling requirements: 1000 hours of didactic plus 300 hours of clinical
　　Undergraduate Requirements: Baccalaureate degree, a professional nursing license or physician's assistant training and examination
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Dept. of Professional and Financial Regulation
　　Office of Licensing and Enforcement, State House Station #35
　　Augusta, ME 04333
　　(207) 624-8603

　　MARYLAND
　　Formal schooling requirements: 1800 hours, including 300 clinical hours
　　Undergraduate Requirements: None specified
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　State Board of Acupuncture
　　Room 320
　　4201 Patterson Avenue
　　Baltimore, MD 21215
　　(410) 764-4766

　　MASSACHUSETTS
　　Formal schooling requirements: 1350 clinical/didactic hours combined including 100 hours of clinic with sole responsibility for diagnosis and treatment of patients, 30 hours of herbal training Undergraduate Requirements: 2 academic years including human anatomy and physiology and general biology (2 hours each)
　　Board Certification for Chinese Herbology: completion of ACAOM herbology program or its equivalent
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Board of Registration in Medicine
　　Acupuncture Unit
　　10 West Street 3d Floor
　　Boston, MA 02111
　　(617)727-3086, #363

　　MINNESOTA
　　Formal schooling requirements: NCCAOM certification
　　Undergraduate Requirements: None
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Minnesota Board of Medical Practice
　　University Park Plaza
　　2829 University Ave. SE - Suite 400
　　Minneapolis, MN 55414-3246

　　MISSOURI
　　Formal schooling requirements: NCCAOM certification
　　Undergraduate Requirements: None
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　State Board of Chiropractic Examiners
　　PO Box 672
　　Jefferson City, MO 65102-0672
　　(573) 751-2104

　　MONTANA
　　Formal schooling requirements: 1000 hours
　　Undergraduate Requirements: None
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Department of Commerce
　　Board of Medical Examiners
　　111 N. Jackson
　　PO Box 200513
　　Helena, MT 59620-0513
　　(406) 444-4284

　　NEVADA
　　Formal schooling requirements: DOM - 3-year course in acupuncture or a 4-year course in Oriental medicine plus 6 years of practice; Acupuncture Assistant - 3-year course in acupuncture
　　Undergraduate Requirements: None
　　Examination: Nevada examination

Contact:
　　Nevada State Board of Oriental Medicine
　　201 Sarah Drive
　　Carson City, NV 89706
　　(702) 486-4279

　　NEW HAMPSHIRE
　　Formal schooling requirements: ACAOM or board approved, including anatomy and physiology
　　Undergraduate requirements: Baccalaureate, registered nurse or physician's assistant degree
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　New Hampshire Board of Acupuncture Licensing
　　Department of Health and Human Services
　　6 Hazen Drive
　　Concord, NH 03301-6527
　　(603) 271-5127

　　NEW JERSEY
　　Formal schooling requirements: 2 year program
　　Undergraduate Requirements: Baccalaureate degree
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Board of Medical Examiners
　　Department of Law and Public Safety
　　Acupuncture Examining Board
　　140 East Front Street, 2nd Floor
　　Trenton, NJ 08608
　　(609) 826-7100

　　NEW MEXICO
　　Formal schooling requirements: Entered prior to September 30, 1993, and application for licensing prior to July 15, 2000: 1800 clock hours, including 950 hours of didactic and 750 hours of clinical Entered after September 30, 1993: 2400 clock hours of classes including 1100 hours of didactic and 900 hours of clinical
　　Undergraduate Requirements: None
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture and Chinese herbology

Contact:
　　New Mexico Board of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
　　PO Box 25101
　　Santa Fe, NM 87504
　　(505) 476-7100

　　NEW YORK
　　Formal schooling requirements: 3-year program of didactic and clinical work
　　Undergraduate Requirements: 60 semester hours including 9 semester hours of biosciences
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　NY State Board for Acupuncture
　　State Education Department
　　Cultural Educational Center Room 3103
　　Albany, NY 12230
　　(518) 473-0221

　　NORTH CAROLINA
　　Formal schooling requirements: 3-year program
　　Undergraduate Requirements: None
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　North Carolina Acupuncture Licensing Board
　　1418 Aversboro Rd.
　　Garner, NC 27529-4547
　　(919) 779-5642

　　OREGON
　　Formal schooling requirements: ACAOM accredited or candidacy status or equivalent
　　Undergraduate: None
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Board of Medical Examiners
　　620 Crown Plaza
　　1500 SW First Avenue
　　Portland, OR 97201-5770
　　(503) 229-5770

　　PENNSYLVANIA
　　Formal schooling requirements: 2 academic years
　　Undergraduate Requirements: 2 years
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Board of Osteopathic Examiners/Board of Medical Examiners
　　PO Box 2649
　　Harrisburg, PA 17105
　　(717) 783-4858

　　RHODE ISLAND
　　Formal schooling requirements: Satisfactory to the department
　　Undergraduate Requirements: None
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
　　Department of Health, Cannon Building
　　Three Capitol Hill Rm. 104
　　Providence, RI 02908
　　(401) 277-2827

　　SOUTH CAROLINA
　　Formal schooling requirements: NCCAOM certification.
　　Undergraduate Requirements: None
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
　　Board of Medical Examiners 110 Centerview Dr. Suite 202
　　PO Box 11289
　　Columbia, SC 29211-1289
　　(803) 896-4500

　　TEXAS
　　Formal schooling requirements: 1800 didactic, including anatomy-histology, bacteriology, physiology, symptomatology, pathology, meridian and point locations, hygiene, and public health plus at least two terms of clinical
　　Undergraduate Requirements: 60 semester hours including basic science courses
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture and Chinese herbology

Contact:
　　Texas State Board of Medical Examiners
　　PO Box 2018 MC-231
　　Austin, TX 78768-2018
　　(512) 305-7067

　　UTAH
　　Formal schooling requirements: NCCAOM certification
　　Undergraduate Requirements: None
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
　　160 East 300 South, Box 146741
　　Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6741
　　(801) 530-6740

　　VERMONT
　　Formal schooling requirements: 3-year program including 800 hours of clinical
　　Undergraduate Requirements: None
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Office of Professional Regulation
　　109 State Street
　　Montpelier, VT 05609-1106
　　(802) 828-2373

　　VIRGINIA
　　Formal schooling requirements: Graduate of ACAOM accredited school: 1000 hours with 700 didactic and 250 clinical hours in no less than 18 months. Individuals who graduated after July 1, 1990 must document 90 semester credit hours of full time study
　　Non-accredited school: 2 year course with 1000 hours (700 didactic and 250 clinical) and 5 years of licensed practice in another state
　　Undergraduate Requirements: 2 academic years of not less than 60 semester credit hours including 18 semester hours in biological sciences (3 hours each in anatomy and physiology)
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Virginia Board of Medicine
　　6606 W. Broad Street 4th Floor
　　Richmond, VA 23230-1717
　　(804) 662-9908

　　WASHINGTON
　　Formal schooling requirements: 2 years of academic coursework including 75 credits of acupuncture sciences (750 hours) and 45 credits (450 hours) of Western sciences including anatomy, physiology, bacteriology, biochemistry, pathology, hygiene, survey of Western clinical sciences and CPR; 1 academic year of clinical including 29 quarter credits of supervised practice with 100 hours of observation and 400 documented patient treatments with 100 different patients
　　Undergraduate Requirements: None
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Department of Health
　　1300 S.E. Quince Street
　　PO Box 47868
　　Olympia, WA 98504-7868
　　(360) 664-3230

　　WEST VIRGINIA
　　Formal schooling requirements: 1800 hours including 300 clinical hours
　　Undergraduate Requirements: None
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Board Secretary
　　PO Box 252
　　Huntington, WV 25707-0252
　　(304) 529-4558

　　WISCONSIN
　　Formal schooling requirements: 2 years
　　Undergraduate Requirements: None
　　Examination: NCCAOM examination in acupuncture

Contact:
　　Dept. of Regulation and Licensure
　　Bureau of Health Service Professions
　　Acupuncture Certification
　　PO Box 8935
　　1400 E. Washington Ave.
　　Madison, WI 53708
　　(608) 266-0070