Licensure as an Acupuncturist

1. Licensure as an Acupuncturist Section 457, F.S. Rule Chapter 64B1, F.A.C.

2. General Requirements • 21 years of age • Must submit application and fee for licensure • Completion of a training program • Completion of a 2 hour course in the Prevention of Medical Errors.

3. General Requirements • Passage of an examination offered by the NCCAOM or state examination approved by the board as substantially equivalent. • Proof of English proficiency (only for applicants that have passed the national written examination in any language other than English)

4. General Requirements • Proof of professional liability insurance coverage • Training Program Criteria

5. General Requirements • ENROLLED in program Prior to August 1, 1997 Completion of 2-years of study, which includes but is not limited to: • Western Anatomy • Western Physiology • Western Pathology

6. General Requirements • APPLIED for licensure on or after August 1, 2001 Completion of an ACAOM candidate or accredited 4-year master’s level program or foreign equivalent in oriental medicine: • Western Anatomy • Western Physiology • Western Pathology • Western Biomedical Terminology

7. General Requirements APPLIED for licensure on or after August 1, 2001 Completion of an ACAOM candidate or accredited 4-year master’s level program or foreign equivalent in oriental medicine: • First Aid • CPR • 15 hours – Supervised Instruction in Universal Precautions Applicable to Needling Techniques • 20 hours – Florida Laws and Rules

8. General Requirements • ENROLLED in Program on or after July 31, 2001 Completion of 8 hour program that incorporates the safe and beneficial use of laboratory test and imaging findings.

9. Examination Information • The board currently approves as the Florida Examination for licensure, the National Certification. Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), consisting of the Foundations of Oriental Medicine Module, the Acupuncture Module and the Point Location Module. All applicants should contact the NCCAOM directly to take the examination.

10. NCCAOM • National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) • 76 South Laura Street, • Suite 1290 • Jacksonville, FL 32202 • Phone: (904) 598-1005 • Fax: (904) 598-5001

11. Applicants with Criminal History • Any applicant who has ever been found guilty of, or pled guilty or no contest/nolo contendre to any charge other than a minor traffic offense must list each offense on the application. Failure to disclose criminal history may result in denial of your application. Each application is reviewed on its own merits.

12. Applicants with Criminal History • The Board of Acupuncture has created guidelines for specific offenses to be cleared in the board office; however, staff cannot make determinations in advance as laws and rules do change over time. Violent crimes and repeat offenders are required to be presented to the Board of Acupuncture for review. Evidence of rehabilitation is important to the board members when making licensure decisions.

13. Applicants with Criminal History • Applicants with prior criminal convictions are required to submit the following documentation to the board: • Self-Explanation -€“ Applicants who have listed offenses on the application must submit a letter in your own words describing the circumstances of the offense.

14. Applicants with Criminal History • Final Dispositions/Arrest Records -€“ Final disposition records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on court letterhead sent from the clerk of the court attesting to their unavailability.

15. Applicants with Criminal History • Completion of Probation/Parole/Sanctions -€“ Probation and financial sanction records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. Parole records for offenses can be obtained from the Department of Corrections or at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on court letterhead sent from the clerk of the court attesting to their unavailability.

16. Applicants with Criminal History • Letters of Recommendation -€“ Applicants who have listed offenses on the application must submit 3-5 professional letters of recommendation from people you have worked for or with.

17. Applicants with Disciplinary History • Applicants who have ever been denied licensure, had disciplinary action taken against their license, or have action pending against their license to practice any health care related profession by a licensing authority are required to submit the following documentation to the board:

18. Applicants with Disciplinary History • Self-Explanation -€“ Applicants who have listed disciplinary action on the application must submit a letter in your own words describing the circumstances of the action.

19. Applicants with Disciplinary History • Agency Records -€“ All relevant documentation regarding the action should be sent to the board office by the licensing agency. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on agency letterhead sent from the licensing agency attesting to their unavailability.

20. Applicants with Health History • Applicants who answer yes to any of the health history questions on the application are required to submit the following documentation to the board: • Self-Explanation -€“ Applicants must submit a letter in your own words describing the circumstances. Include a description of all treatments and diagnoses you received for any condition/impairment you were treated for. Include all medications prescribed and all physicians/counselors seen. Evidence of rehabilitation is important to the board members when making licensure decisions.

21. Applicants with Health History • Applicants who answer yes to any of the health history questions on the application are required to submit the following documentation to the board: • Physician(s) Letter -€“ Applicants must submit a statement from your treating physician/ counselor for each condition you are/were being treated for and whether or not you are able to practice Acupuncture. Include all DSM IIIR/ DSM IV, Axis I, II, and III diagnoses.

22. Health Care Fraud; Disqualification for License, Certificate, or Registration • Effective July 1, 2012, Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes (F.S.), provides that health care boards or the department shall refuse to issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant:

23. Reasons Refuse to Issue a License • Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony in • Florida • Chapter 409, F.S., (relating to social and economic assistance) • Chapter 817, F.S., (relating to fraudulent practices) • Chapter 893, F.S., (relating to drug abuse prevention and control) • Another state or jurisdiction • or a similar felony offense(s)

24. Health Care Fraud; Disqualification for License, Certificate, or Registration • Any such conviction or plea shall exclude the applicant or candidate from licensure, examination, certification, or registration, unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or plea ended: • First or second degree felonies , more than 15 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation; • Third degree felonies, more than 10 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation; o • Third degree under section 893.13(6)(a), F.S., more than 5 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;

25. Health Care Fraud; Disqualification for License, Certificate, or Registration • Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 (relating to controlled substances) or 42 • U.S.C. ss. 1395-1396 (relating to public health, welfare, Medicare and Medicaid issues), unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the date of the application;

26. Reasons Refuse to Issue a License • Has been terminated for cause from the Florida Medicaid program pursuant to section 409.913, F.S., unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with the Florida Medicaid program for the most recent five years;

27. Health Care Fraud; Disqualification for License, Certificate, or Registration • Has been terminated for cause, pursuant to the appeals procedures established by the state or Federal Government, from any other state Medicaid program, unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with a state Medicaid program for the most recent five years and the termination occurred at least 20 years before the date of the application;

28. Health Care Fraud; Disqualification for License, Certificate, or Registration • Is currently listed on the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s List of Excluded Individuals and Entities. The section above does not apply to candidates or applicants for initial licensure or certification who were enrolled in an educational or training program on or before July 1, 2009, which was recognized by a board or, if there is no board, recognized by the department, and who applied for licensure after July 1, 2012.

29. Tips for Expediting the Licensure Process • Please read all application instructions, and the laws and rules governing the practice of Acupuncture, before completing your application. Errors and omissions on the application increase processing time. • Within 30 days of receipt of the application, you will be sent a written application status notice or your eligibility letter, as applicable. • No application is complete until all required documentation and fees are received.

30. Tips for Expediting the Licensure Process • Applications are reviewed and processed in the order in which they are received in the board office. • All transcripts must be the final official school copy and submitted directly from the school (school seal must be embossed on the transcript). • Address all correspondence to the attention of the Board of Acupuncture and include your name.

31. Tips for Expediting the Licensure Process • Send a copy of the CCAOM CNT course completion certificate OR the school can place the 15 hours on the transcript or complete the form attached to the application. • Remember to have your insurance company send proof of insurance or proof of exemption. • Request the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) to send a copy of your Certified Diplomat Status form to the Board of Acupuncture. You may send a request to the NCCAOM at the address listed above.

32. Tips for Expediting the Licensure Process • Fees and application with corresponding documentation must be mailed to: • Department of Health-MQA • Board of Acupuncture • P.O. Box 6330 • Tallahassee, FL 32314-6330

33. Tips for Expediting the Licensure Process • Supporting correspondence not associated with any fees must be mailed to: • Department of Health-MQA • Board of Acupuncture • 4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin C-06 • Tallahassee, FL 32399-3256

34. Tips for Expediting the Licensure Process • Required Continuing Education for Initial Licensure • Applicants are required to submit proof of completion of a two (2) hour continuing education (CE) course relating to prevention of medical errors prior to issuance of license.

35. Renewals • Current licenses expire at midnight, Eastern Time, on February 28, 2016. • To ensure you receive your renewal notification from the department, your current mailing address must be on file. Failure to renew an active or inactive license by the expiration date will result in the license being placed in delinquent status. Failure by a delinquent licensee to renew before the expiration of the current licensure cycle renders the license null and void without any further action by the board or the department.

36. Renewals • A licensee who remains on inactive status for more than two consecutive biennial licensure cycles and who wishes to reactivate the license may be required to demonstrate the competency to resume active practice by sitting for a special purpose examination or by completing other reactivation requirements.

37. Renewals • If you are reactivating your license, please refer to the Laws & Rules governing your practice for additional requirements. • The department will renew your license upon receipt of: • Completed renewal application • Required fees

38. Renewals • Military Exemption • To receive an exemption from the renewal requirements, please provide a copy of your orders which provides the beginning and end date of your current enlistment or a copy of your spouse’s orders. If you are a Commissioned Officer, you may provide a letter from your commanding officer that reflects the length of your contract with a beginning and end date to fulfill this requirement.

39. Application Fee • Florida Acupuncturist license are composed of three separate parts: • Application Fee - same for everyone regardless of when the application is submitted or the license is issued • Initial Licensure Fee - effective April 6, 2014, this fee is no longer prorated based on the date your initial license is issued • Unlicensed Activity Fee - this goes towards helping to protect the citizens of our state from the unlicensed activity of healthcare professions

40. Application Fee • Initial Application Fees*: $200.00 (non-refundable) • Initial Licensure Fee: $200.00 • Unlicensed Activity Fee: $5.00 • Total Fees: $405.00 • *All licenses expire on February 28th, every even numbered year. Checks, certified checks, or money orders should be made payable to the “Department of Health.” • Applicants and licensees are responsible for the fees outlined in applicable board or department rule at the time an application is received. If you have questions, please contact us for more information.