The California state legislature has introduced legislation that would replace the existing requirement that prospective acupuncturists pass "a written examination administered by the [California Acupuncture Board] that tests the applicant's ability, competency, and knowledge in the practice of an acupuncturist ... developed by the Office of Professional Examination Services of the Department of Consumer Affairs" with a national examination administered by the National Certification Commission on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
If the legislation is ultimately approved, applicants for a California acupuncture license would be able to achieve both licensure and NCCAOM certification by achieving a passing score on one or more of the NCCAOM exams, as determined by the board "based on the skills, standards, and knowledge required for licensure pursuant to the [Acupuncture Licensure Act]."
Introduced on Feb. 17, 2021 by California Assembly member Sharon Quirk-Silva (D- 65th District) and with the full support of the California State Oriental Medicine Association (CSOMA), AB 918 amends Section 4938 of the Business and Professions Code relating to healing arts. If passed, it would "ensure a nationally recognized standard for the delivery of acupuncture medicine throughout the state," according to CSOMA, while allowing applicants for licensure "to take one exam, save resources and secure enhanced portability of their licensure across the nation for greater employment opportunities."
Click here to track the progress of AB 918 through the California Assembly and state legislature. For more information, click here to access the CSOMA AB 918 Education Packet, which includes a fact sheet and full text of the bill.
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The Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM) has announced it is closing after 41 years. Pending accreditor approval, OCOM will cease offering classes after September (fourth-year OCOM students graduate Aug. 26). All current / incoming OCOM students have the option of continuing their education at the National University of Natural Medicine or Five Branches University, or transferring to another school altogether.
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