Acupuncture Licensure Act - Section 4935-4949

4937.

An acupuncturist's license authorizes the holder thereof:

1. To engage in the practice of acupuncture.
2. To perform or prescribe the use of Asian massage, acupressure, breathing techniques, exercise, heat, cold, magnets, nutrition, diet, herbs, plant, animal, and mineral products, and dietary supplements to promote, maintain, and restore health. Nothing in this section prohibits any person who does not possess an acupuncturist's license or another license as a healing arts practitioner from performing, or prescribing the use of any modality listed in this subdivision.
3. For purposes of this section, a "magnet" means a mineral or metal that produces a magnetic field without the application of an electric current.
4. For purposes of this section, "plant, animal, and mineral products" means naturally occurring substances of plant, animal, or mineral origin, except that it does not include synthetic compounds, controlled substances or dangerous drugs as defined in Sections 4021 and 4022, or a controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code.
5. For purposes of this section, "dietary supplement" has the same meaning as defined in subsection (ff) of Section 321 of Title 21 of the United States Code, except that dietary supplement does not include controlled substances or dangerous drugs as defined in Section 4021 or 4022, or a controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code.

4938.

The board shall issue a license to practice acupuncture to any person who makes an application and meets the following requirements:

1. Is at least 18 years of age.
2. Furnishes satisfactory evidence of completion of one of the following:
1. An educational and training program approved by the board pursuant to Section 4939.
2. Satisfactory completion of a tutorial program in the practice of an acupuncturist which is approved by the board.
3. In the case of an applicant who has completed education and training outside the United States and Canada, documented educational training and clinical experience which meets the standards established pursuant to Sections 4939 and 4941.
4. Passes a written examination administered by the board that tests the applicant's ability, competency, and knowledge in the practice of an acupuncturist. The written examination shall be developed by the Office of Examination Resources of the Department of Consumer Affairs.
5. Is not subject to denial pursuant to Division 1.5 (commencing with Section 475).
6. Completes a clinical internship training program approved by the board. The clinical internship training program shall not exceed nine months in duration and shall be located in a clinic in this state, which is approved by the board pursuant to Section 4939. The length of the clinical internship shall depend upon the grades received in the examination and the clinical training already satisfactorily completed by the individual prior to taking the examination. On and after January 1, 1987, individuals with 800 or more hours of documented clinical training shall be deemed to have met this requirement. The purpose of the clinical internship training program shall be to assure a minimum level of clinical competence.

Each applicant who qualifies for a license shall pay, as a condition precedent to its issuance and in addition to other fees required, the initial licensure fee.

4939.

1. On or before January 1, 2004, the board shall establish standards for the approval of schools and colleges offering education and training in the practice of an acupuncturist, including standards for the faculty in those schools and colleges and tutorial programs, completion of which will satisfy the requirements of Section 4938.
2. Standards for the approval of training programs shall include a minimum of 3,000 hours of study in curriculum pertaining to the practice of an acupuncturist. This subdivision shall apply to all students entering programs on or after January 1, 2005.
3. Within three years of initial approval by the board, each program so approved by the board shall receive full institutional approval under Article 3.5 (commencing with Section 94760) of Chapter 7 of Part 59 of the Education Code in the field of traditional Asian medicine, or in the case of institutions located outside of this state, approval by the appropriate governmental educational authority using standards equivalent to those of Article 3.5 (commencing with Section 94760) of Chapter 7 of Part 59 of the Education Code, or the board's approval of the program shall automatically lapse.

4940.

1. The board shall establish standards for the approval of tutorial programs for education and training in the practice of acupuncture, that satisfy the requirements of Section 4938. The board shall also establish standards for the approved supervising acupuncturists.
2. An acupuncturist shall be approved to supervise a trainee, provided the supervisor meets the following conditions:
1. Is licensed to practice acupuncture in this state and that license is current, valid, and has not been suspended or revoked or otherwise subject to disciplinary action.
2. Has filed an application with the board.
3. Files with the board the name of each trainee to be trained or employed and a training program satisfactory to the board.
4. Does not train or employ more than two acupuncture trainees at any one time.
5. Has at least 10 years of experience practicing as an acupuncturist and has been licensed in this state for at least five years.
6. Is found by the board to have the knowledge necessary to educate and train the trainee in the practice of an acupuncturist.

The amendments made to this section at the 1993 portion of the 1993-94 Regular Session of the Legislature shall not affect the approval of any supervising acupuncturist which has been issued prior to the effective date of those amendments.

4941.

In reviewing applications for licensure based upon the completion of a tutorial program in acupuncture, the board may provide that credit is granted for relevant prior training and experience when that training or experience otherwise meets the standards set by the board.

4944.

1. The board shall have the authority to investigate and evaluate each and every applicant applying for a license to practice acupuncture and to make the final determination of the admission of the applicant to the examination, or for the issuance of a license, in conformance with the provisions of this chapter.
2. The board shall investigate and evaluate each school or college applying for approval under Section 4939 and may utilize and contract with consultants to evaluate those training programs.
3. The board may delegate to the executive officer or other official of the board its authority under this section in routine matters.

4945.

1. The committee shall establish standards for continuing education for acupuncturists.
2. The committee shall require each acupuncturist to complete 15 hours of continuing education every year as a condition for renewal of his or her certificate. A provider of continuing education shall apply to the committee for approval to offer continuing education courses for credit toward this requirement on a form developed by the committee, shall pay a fee covering the cost of approval and for the monitoring of the provider by the committee and shall set forth the following information on the application:
1. Course content.
2. Test criteria.
3. Hours of continuing education credit requested for the course.
4. Experience and training of instructors.
5. Other information as required by the committee.
6. That interpreters or bilingual instruction will be made available, when necessary.
3. Licensees residing out of state or out of the country shall comply with the continuing education requirements.
4. Providers of continuing education shall be monitored by the committee as determined by the committee.
5. If the committee determines that any acupuncturist has not obtained the required number of hours of continuing education, it may renew the acupuncturist's license and require that the deficient hours of continuing education be made up during the following renewal period in addition to the current continuing education required for that period. If any acupuncturist fails to make up the deficient hours and complete the current requirement of hours of continuing education during the subsequent renewal period, then his or her license to practice acupuncture shall not be renewed until all the required hours are completed and documented to the committee.
6. This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 1996, and shall have no force or effect on or after that date, unless a later enacted statute, which is enacted before January 1, 1996, deletes or extends that date.

4945.

1. The board shall establish standards for continuing education for acupuncturists.
2. The board shall require each acupuncturist to complete 50 hours of continuing education every two years as a condition for renewal of his or her license. No more than five hours of continuing education in each two-year period may be spent on issues unrelated to clinical matters or the actual provision of health care to patients. A provider of continuing education shall apply to the board for approval to offer continuing education courses for credit toward this requirement on a form developed by the board, shall pay a fee covering the cost of approval and for the monitoring of the provider by the board and shall set forth the following information on the application:
1. Course content.
2. Test criteria.
3. Hours of continuing education credit requested for the course.
4. Experience and training of instructors.
5. Other information as required by the board.
6. That interpreters or bilingual instruction will be made available, when necessary.
3. Licensees residing out of state or out of the country shall comply with the continuing education requirements.
4. Providers of continuing education shall be monitored by the board as determined by the board.
5. If the board determines that any acupuncturist has not obtained the required number of hours of continuing education, it may renew the acupuncturist's license and require that the deficient hours of continuing education be made up during the following renewal period in addition to the current continuing education required for that period. If any acupuncturist fails to make up the deficient hours and complete the current requirement of hours of continuing education during the subsequent renewal period, then his or her license to practice acupuncture shall not be renewed until all the required hours are completed and documented to the board.

4947.

1. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the practice of acupuncture by a person licensed as a dentist or a podiatrist, within the scope of their respective licenses, if the licensee has received a course of instruction in acupuncture. This course material shall be approved by the licensing board having jurisdiction over the licensee. The board shall assist the licensing boards in providing information as requested by the individual licensing boards.
2. The course requirement set forth in subdivision (a) shall not apply to a podiatrist or dentist who has completed a course in acupuncture, including a continuing education course, and has utilized acupuncture prior to July 1, 1982.

4948.

The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to make unlawful the activities of persons involved in research pursuant to Section 2075.

4949.

The provisions of this chapter shall not prohibit an acupuncturist from another state or country, who is not a licensed acupuncturist in this state, who is the invited guest of a professional acupuncture association or scientific acupuncture foundation, an acupuncture training program that is approved under Section 4939, or a continuing education provider that is approved under Section 4945, solely from engaging in professional education through lectures, clinics, or demonstrations. The guest acupuncturist may engage in the practice of acupuncture in conjunction with these lectures, clinics, or demonstrations for a maximum of six months, but may not open an office or appoint a place to meet patients or receive calls from patients or otherwise engage in the practice of acupuncture.