Editor's Note: The following article was submitted by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) as a digital exclusive.
In February 2019, the NCCAOM announced a new, temporary route to achieve NCCAOM Certification in Oriental Medicine for California licensed acupuncturists who met eligibility requirements.
To date, nearly 1,000 acupuncturists have benefited from this time-limited route to NCCAOM certification, and there is still time to take advantage of this unique opportunity.
The California route is still open to those who have an active California acupuncture license or for those who have kept their California license active, but live in another state. All details about the application process via the CA route,* including eligibility requirements and the step-by-step process, are available here.
To broaden the reach of this route and to provide an opportunity for a greater number of licensed acupuncturists to take advantage of the time-limited route, the NCCAOM has updated its eligibility requirements as follows:
Candidates for NCCAOM certification through the CA Route must hold an active free and clear CA Acupuncture license at the time of application and have passed the California Acupuncture Licensing Exam (CALE) no later than January 12, 2020. If the CA Acupuncture License was obtained after January 12, 2020, the applicant must request proof from the California Acupuncture Board (CAB) of having completed the CALE before January 13, 2020.
NCCAOM certification is now required as the national standard for the practice of acupuncture by federal agencies such as the Veterans Administration, as well as many employers and insurance companies. The CA route is another example of how NCCAOM is listening and working on behalf of qualified practitioners by providing a path to become NCCAOM National-Board Certified Acupuncturists™ with all the benefits of that designation.
The NCCAOM Advocacy Team is committed to advancing the cause of NCCAOM National Board-Certified Acupuncturists™ at the national level. This includes engagement with Congress on legislation impacting acupuncturists; grassroots efforts to build awareness of acupuncture with partnership with American Society of Acupuncturists and our diplomates' representatives; and ongoing work with national health care stakeholder organizations to raise the profile of acupuncture, our diplomates, and the value of NCCAOM board certification.
An individual distinguishes himself / herself by achieving the title of NCCAOM Diplomate, and is respected and supported by a national organization committed to being the gold standard for the acupuncture profession.
The California Licensed Acupuncturists Route for Certification in Oriental Medicine will close on Dec. 31, 2020. For additional information regarding this route, please visit the NCCAOM website at this link. In addition, here is a list of frequently asked questions regarding the route: CA Route FAQs.
*It is important for applicants of the CA route who plan to get a state license outside of California to first check with the state licensing board to ensure it will accept this route as a prerequisite for state licensure. Some states require passing of the NCCAOM exams.
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