As the acceptance of acupuncture continues to grow in the U.S. it is important that the profession be licensed in every state, and nationally board certified. The Veterans Administration (VA), the Department of Defense (DOD), the American Hospital Association (AHA), and Modern Acupuncture all require NCCAOM certification for employment.
Historically when a trained practitioner obtained certification they were referred to as a diplomate. Now the NCCAOM has trademarked this term (in the U.S.) to be used by those that are nationally board certified. Although the term diplomate is still relevant, the newest language designation is board certified. This wording can and should be used by every acupuncturist that has this designation. Request your certificate and display it in your office. This tells your patients that you are nationally board certified. Keep in mind that doctors (MDs) are nationally board certified.
The only state that does not use the NCCAOM exam as the path to licensure is California. Recently, the NCCAOM board of directors, under the watchful eye of Dr. Kory Ward-Cook, submitted documentation within their accrediting body to establish a path for acupuncturists in California to become nationally board certified.
Along with this milestone there is a campaign to use the NCCAOM exam to replace the California exam. Students from Emperor's College have made postcards asking legislators to bring the national exam to California. The students realize that not having this certification will hold them back when trying to procure employment. I believe being nationally board certified in California will help unite the entire profession.
Dr. Kory Ward-Cook of the NCCAOM has toured some of the schools in California. She has presented information, and answered questions from students regarding requirements and accomplishments of NCCAOM board certification. It is an amazing what has been accomplished in California. The NCCAOM submitted information to prove that the exam in California is equal to the NCCAOM exam. This information included the opinions of four separate psychometricians who studied and analyzed the content and statistical validity both of the NCCAOM and the California exam.
When Dr. Kory Ward-Cook was preparing and working on this information she had to demonstrate the eligibility requirements in California were equivalent to the national test requirements. Next a study was done to show the content of the NCCAOM exam is comparable to the California exam. Then there was a discussion about the re-licensure for California acupuncturists, which also had to be comparable or exceed the NCCAOM re-certification requirements.
As modern medical standardization continues, the field of traditional Chinese medicine has the advantage of comprehensive personalization. For rare or complex cases, deeper consideration of constitution is invaluable. Proper constitutional assessment, especially with first-time clients, can guide desirable and predictable outcomes. This leads to a higher rate of return, and greater trust between you and your patient.
Though the creation of a financially sustainable, health-promoting model feels far away today, we are casting a vision for a full return on health, believing that this compels us to keep one foot firmly rooted in caring for the sick and the other foot firmly founded in maintaining health. Shifting from a fee-for-service model to value-based care using a phased approach is paramount.
Laser therapy has emerged as a powerful tool in the realm of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This new modality fits beautifully into the toolbox of the modern acupuncturist, as it can be used as a hybrid form of stimulation to acupuncture points, meridians, organs, nerves, and symptomatic areas in a new way that blends both moxa and energetic needle-like responses.
