Acupuncture requires extensive training. The current requirement in most training institutions is three to four years, with most programs providing 2,000 to 2,500 classroom and practical hours. The rigorous program at the New England School of Acupuncture, for example, is three and a half to four years, with no semester breaks. No less than a two-year training program for non-physician acupuncturists is acceptable.
No other health care professional is prepared to this degree to use these specialized theories and techniques. Unfortunately, because this sophisticated practice is not yet completely regulated in all states, some practitioners can present themselves as qualified with minimal training. Brief programs (200-300 hours) have been set up to teach acupuncture and Oriental medicine. These courses offer abbreviated knowledge at best, often “cookbook” formulas of the most commonly used acupuncture points, without the grounding in Chinese medicine and tongue and pulse diagnosis to back up the diagnostic procedure. While some who have participated in these programs might be able to help patients with simple problems, the training is limited.
Make sure you select a practitioner who is properly educated; ask for complete information about his or her training and licensing status. In Washington state the professional designation is licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.). Make sure your acupuncturist is certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), which governs the stringent national board exam for acupuncturists.