The NCCAOM® Certification in Acupuncture
About Acupuncture
The practice of acupuncture in the United States incorporates medical traditions from China, Japan,
Korea, and other countries.1 Acupuncture is one of the essential elements of Oriental medicine and the
oldest, most commonly used medical procedure in the world. Originating in China more than 3,000
years ago, the practice of Oriental medicine includes acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, cupping,
manual therapies such as acupressure, moxibustion, exercises such as tai chi or qi gong, as well as
Chinese herbal preparations and dietary therapy.1
Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points on the body, by insertion of very fine, sterile, stainless
steel needles to elicit a predictable physiological response. This stimulus may also be administered to
the points using mild electrical stimulation (with or without needles), pressure techniques with the hands
(acupressure) or the application of heat by various methods.
Acupuncturists assess a patient’s syndrome or pattern of disharmony by using a set of diagnostic skills
that involve four areas; questioning, palpation, visual inspection, and olfactory-auditory data collection.
An acupuncturist determines the necessary treatment principle and strategy to prompt the patient back
to functional harmony by discriminating the exact pattern of the body’s physiological response to
pathogenic factors.
The acupuncturist’s skill at determining the appropriate points to treat is based upon his/her ability to
accurately distinguish the presenting pattern, knowledge of correct points to address that pattern and
knowledge of the proper type of stimulus for each point. This possession of this knowledge and skills is
the key distinction between a professional, certified acupuncturist and other health care providers who
employ acupuncture only as a modality (stimulating points for their general effect without adjusting their
choice of points to the specific patient’s need).
Use of Acupuncture
The Institute of Medicine identified 79 systematic reviews of acupuncture placing acupuncture third in
usage among all complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies.2
Acupuncture has been shown to provide generalized oxygenation and increased blood flow to specific
areas of treatment. It also aids production of cortisone and other anti-inflammatory secretions and can
increase the internal production of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. In addition, a 2010 study
from the University of Rochester in New York found that acupuncture can help relieve pain by
triggering a natural pain-killing chemical called adenosine.3
A recent study of acupuncture — the most rigorous and detailed analysis of the treatment to date —
found that it can ease migraines and arthritis and other forms of chronic pain. The researchers, who
published their results in Archives of Internal Medicine, found that acupuncture outperformed sham
treatments and standard care when used by people suffering from osteoarthritis, migraines and chronic
back, neck and shoulder pain.4
A 2006 patient survey from the Alternative Medicine Integration Group based in Florida,
found that 94% of study patients being treated by CAM therapies (including acupuncture)
agreed that the program treatment helped reduce levels of pain.5
The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture and Oriental medicine as effective
for over 43 common ailments including:6
Respiratory Disorders
Sinusitis, Rhinitis
Common cold
Tonsillitis
Sore throat
Hay fever
Bronchitis
Bronchial Asthma
Disorders of the Eyes
Acute conjunctivitis
Myopia in children
Cataracts without complications
Central retinitis
Mental- Emotional Disorders
Anxiety
Depression
Stress
Insomnia
Addictions
Weight control
Ask a question
Click here to add your answer. Make sure the writing is clear and concise, and helps visitors get the support they need. Examples can be useful to ensure all users fully understand the information.
Ask a question
Click here to add your answer. Make sure the writing is clear and concise, and helps visitors get the support they need. Examples can be useful to ensure all users fully understand the information.
Musculo-skeletal Disorders
Frozen shoulder, tennis elbow
Low back pain
Osteoarthritis and joint pains
Stiff neck
Tendinitis
Bursitis
Sprains
Injuries from auto accidents
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Gastro-intestinal Disorders
Acute and chronic gastritis
Hyperacidity
Hiccoughs
Acute uncomplicated duodenal ulcer
Chronic duodenal ulcer (pain relief)
Acute and chronic colitis
Acute bacillary dysentery
Constipation
Diarrhea
Paralytic ileus
Neurological Disorders
Headache and Migraine
Dizziness
Trigeminal neuralgia
Facial palsy (within 3-6 months)
Paresis following stroke
Peripheral neuropathies
Meniere’s disease
Neurogenic bladder dysfunction
Nocturnal enuresis
Intercostal neuralgia
Sciatica
Musculo-skeletal Disorders
Click here to add your answer. Make sure the writing is clear and concise, and helps visitors get the support they need. Examples can be useful to ensure all users fully understand the information.
Musculo-skeletal Disorders
Click here to add your answer. Make sure the writing is clear and concise, and helps visitors get the support they need. Examples can be useful to ensure all users fully understand the information.
Disorders of the Mouth
Toothache
Post extraction pain
Gingivitis
Acute and chronic pharyngitis
Ear Disorders
Ringing in ears
Deafness
Meniere’s disease
Earache
Reproductive System Disorders
Infertility
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Irregular Menses
Menstrual cramps
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Menopausal symptoms
Morning sickness
Urinary incontinence
Impotence
Is use of acupuncture growing?
The American Hospital Association’s Health Forum 2007 Complementary and Alternative
Medicine Survey of Hospitals found that 35% of the hospitals offering complementary
medicine provide acupuncture as an outpatient service to the patients. Additionally,
acupuncture is represented as one of the top six modalities in both outpatient and inpatient
settings amongst those hospitals.7
In the United States and abroad, the use of acupuncture and Oriental medicine is gaining
widespread acceptance. In the United States there is an estimated 33,000 certified or
licensed acupuncturists.
In the past two decades, acupuncture has grown in popularity in the United States. The
2007 National Health Interview Survey conducted by the National Center for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) stated that acupuncture is being widely practiced by thousands of practitioners for
relief or prevention of pain and for various other health conditions.
According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, the largest and most
comprehensive survey of CAM use by American adults to date, acupuncture use has
increased between 2002 and 2007 among adults. In 2007, almost 4 out of 10 adults had
used CAM therapy in the past 12 months. Acupuncture is one of the CAM therapies that
have seen an increase in usage during this time period.2
Identifying a Qualified Acupuncturist
How do I find a qualified acupuncturist?
Look for a Diplomate of Acupuncture (NCCAOM)® or Diplomate of Oriental Medicine
(NCCAOM)® by going to the NCCAOM® Find a Practitioner directory at www.nccaom.org.
Oriental medicine includes the practice of acupuncture, Chinese herbology and Asian
bodywork therapy.
The additional designation of licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) is awarded by a state
regulatory board. The NCCAOM website provides a table with state regulatory
requirements and contact information.
Currently, 47 states, plus the District of Columbia, require NCCAOM certification or the
passing of the NCCAOM examinations as a requirement for licensure to practice
acupuncture. Each state board has a unique set of requirements for licensure. State rules
and regulations are subject to change; therefore, one should always confirm current
requirements for licensure with the appropriate state board. More information on state
requirements is available at www.nccaom.org.
The acupuncturist’s skill at determining the appropriate points to treat is based upon his/her ability to
accurately distinguish the presenting pattern, knowledge of correct points to address that pattern and
knowledge of the proper type of stimulus for each point. This possession of this knowledge and skills is
the key distinction between a professional, certified acupuncturist and other health care providers who
employ acupuncture only as a modality (stimulating points for their general effect without adjusting their
choice of points to the specific patient’s need).
Comprehensive training in traditional differential diagnosis and proper treatment methods
require that a Diplomate of Acupuncture (NCCAOM)® completes three to four academic
years of education at the master’s degree level in an acupuncture program accredited by
the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) or has
completed an international education program which is substantially equivalent to ACAOM
standards. ACAOM is the only accrediting body recognized by the United States
Department of Education as the authority for quality education and training in acupuncture
and Oriental medicine. In addition to graduation from an ACAOM accredited program, a
Diplomate of Acupuncture (NCCAOM) must demonstrate professional competency by
Page 4 of 5
passing NCCAOM certification examinations in Foundations of Oriental Medicine,
Acupuncture, and Biomedicine as well as meet other NCCAOM certification requirements.
The NCCAOM Diplomate training and competency verification is in sharp contrast to the
acupuncture training of other healthcare professionals such as chiropractors or registered
nurses or even medical doctors who typically receive100-300 hours of abbreviated
training. These other healthcare professionals provide acupuncture by treating a more
limited number of points.8 Certified (and licensed) acupuncturists are also trained in
standard medical history gathering, safety, ethics, common pharmaceuticals and
supplements, and recognition of when to refer patients to other health care professionals or
consult with other medical practitioners.
What training does an NCCAOM Diplomate of Acupuncture have?
The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
is widely accepted as the most influential leader in the field of acupuncture and Oriental
medicine. Over 33,000 NCCAOM certifications have been issued since 1982. The
NCCAOM, established in 1982, is a non-profit organization whose mission is to establish,
assess, and promote recognized standards of competence and safety in acupuncture and
Oriental medicine for the protection and benefit of the public. NCCAOM Acupuncture,
Oriental Medicine and Chinese herbology certification programs are accredited by the
National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) of the Institute for Credentialing
Excellence (ICE)9. For more information on the NCCAOM, please visit the website at
The following NCCAOM certifications carry the above NCCA accreditation seal:
Diplomate of Acupuncture (NCCAOM)®
Diplomate of Chinese Herbology (NCCAOM)®
Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)®
Contact Information
NCCAOM
2025 M Street NW, Suite 800
Washington DC, 20036
Ph: (888) 381-1140, Fax: (202) 381-1141
NCCAOM and its Diplomates
References
1. National Institute of Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative
Medicine; http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/; accessed January 29, 2014.
2. Barnes PM, Bloom B, Nahin R. CDC National Health Statistics Report #12. Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Use among Adults and Children: United States, 2007; December 10, 2008.
3. Nedergaard M, Goldman N, et al. Nature Neuroscience, Adenosine A1 receptors mediate local anti-nocicptive effects
of acupuncture; May 30, 2010; University of Rochester, New York.
4. O’Connor, A. Acupuncture Provides True Pain Relief in Study. New York Times; September 11, 2012.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/11/acupuncture-provides-true-pain-relief-instudy/?_
php=true&_type=blogs&ref=acupuncture&_r=0; accessed January 29, 2014
5. Alternative Medicine Integration Group; http://www.amibestmed.com/; accessed January 29, 2014.
6. Traditional Medicine – Growing Needs and Potential,World Health Organization Policy Perspective on Medicines; #1
May 2002; World Health Organization, Geneva.
7. Health Forum 2007 Complementary and Alternative Medicine Survey of Hospitals Summary of Results: August 2008;
Chicago, Illinois.
8. Know Your Acupuncturist, Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine; http://www.ccaom.org; accessed
January 29, 2014.
9. The Institute
