Who can administer acupuncture treatments?
The question of who can administer acupuncture treatments really varies depending on the state and the country. For instance, in the United States, generally speaking, the person who would administer acupuncture treatments would be a licensed acupuncturist. Now, licensing requirements vary from state to state, and in the broad United States for instance, there is a licensing standard determined nationally by a national accrediting association known as the 'NCCAOM.' After passing an exam, an acupuncturist is given a license to practice under that certification organization. In the state of California the requirements are much more strict. People must graduate with a masters level degree in oriental medicine, then they're candidates to sit for the state licensing exam, and upon passing that exam they are issued a license in acupuncture. In the United States, certain health professionals such as physicians and dentists may also practice acupuncture with some minimal training standards. In other countries, only physicians are allowed to practice acupuncture, and in certain other countries acupuncturists are 'stand-alone' practitioners.
