A few weeks ago, we reported on the introduction of California Assembly Bill (A.B.) 918, legislation that, if passed into law, would replace the state's current acupuncture licensing examination with one or more of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) exams. There are now signs the bill may be amended in a single, significant way: by allowing applicants the option of taking either the state acupuncture examination (CALE) or the NCCAOM examination(s) as a requisite for licensure.
According to sources, the amendment remains under discussion, although highlights of a March 16 town hall meeting on the California State Oriental Medical Association website (posted March 17) note that taking the board exam is an option. The bill text does not reflect any such amendment yet.
A fundamental difference between the two exams (and by all accounts, the primary impetus for A.B. 918 being introduced) is that NCCAOM certification is increasingly recognized by other states. Thus, a practitioner deciding to move from California to another state with only the state licensing exam (CALE) in tow might face hurdles practicing in their new state – certainly without at least taking the "new" state's examination. On the other hand, a California emigrant armed with NCCAOM certification would have a smoother transition to practice in their new state of residency, particularly if that state recognizes NCCAOM certification.
As we noted in our first article, A.B. 918 is endorsed by CSOMA, which provides an education packet including a comprehensive FAQ and additional resources for acupuncturists on its website. For background on the bill and to track its progress through the California legislature, click here. To access CSOMA's A.B. 918 education packet, click here.
Because traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) views the human body as an interconnected network of energy (qi) and seeks to restore balance and harmony, ensuring the smooth flow of qi and blood is crucial to nourish and regulate the reproductive system. TCM treatment aims to regulate menstruation, reduce anovulatory menstruation, help ovulation, improve egg quality, stabilize progesterone, and provide a good endometrium environment for successful implantation and pregnancy.
U.S. Representatives Judy Chu (D-Calif.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) have reintroduced the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act (nowH.R. 1667) in the 119th Congress. As with previous iterations of the legislation, H.R. 1667 would authorizethe U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to recognize qualified acupuncturists as Medicare providers. The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA) both weigh in on the importance of the legislation.
What’s the single most important thing to ensure your patient gets better? The key is patient education and scheduling appropriately. But how do you do that in a clinically relevant way that is representative of a medical professional? The answer lies in the most fundamental aspect of our intakes: OPQRST(L).
