The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) has announced it is formally adopting a new name, effective January 2026: the National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM).
“This change reflects a significant step forward in aligning our organizational identity with the values, direction, and full scope of the profession we serve – including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and related fields – under a name that is more inclusive, modern, and intended to better reflect how the field is evolving both nationally and internationally,” stated the NCCAOM in a press release announcing the change, which it refers to as “an evolution of our organization.”
The organization’s Board of Commissioners voted to adopt the new name after considering input from diplomates and other stakeholders, many of whom shared their opinions during the public comment period when the name change was first proposed. “The majority of respondents supported the change, expressing enthusiasm for a name that better reflects both the profession’s cultural sensitivity and its growing presence in national healthcare conversations.”
Addressing the potential legislative and regulatory hurdles associated with a name change – concerns voiced by several commenters, according to the board – the NCCAOM acknowledged: “We recognize that this transition may require updates to laws and regulations that still reference the former name. To support this, we are committed to working closely with state associations and regulatory bodies across the country to align legislative language with this organizational change.”
Editor’s Note: Have questions about the name change? Visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page here.
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Our team of authors offer this paper (and this descriptive AT series) as a support for you as a professional, practitioner and member of the acupuncture community at large. We hope that it will serve to further the needs of acupuncturists everywhere and also act as a guide for those wishing to learn about Acupuncture Medicine – patients, healthcare decision makers, policymakers, and other stakeholders.