Education and Practice Standards

Education and Practice Standards for Licensed Acupuncturists in New Jersey

Acupuncture Institute Accreditation

The US Department of Education recognizes the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) as a specialized accreditation agency to accredit professional non-degree and graduate degree programs, including professional doctoral programs, in the field of acupuncture and/or East Asian medicine, as well as freestanding institutions and colleges of acupuncture and/or East Asian medicine that offer such programs, including programs offered via distance education.

The ACAHM is a not-for-profit corporation in the United States charged to ensure that the accrediting body meets specific standards established by Congress. For a directory of ACAHM Accredited and Pre-accredited Programs/Institutions, visit https://acahm.org/directory-menu/directory/

The Secretary of Education is charged with reviewing accrediting bodies and providing recognition to those accrediting agencies that meet the Secretary of Education’s criteria.

Acupuncture Licensure in New Jersey

After completion of an accredited master’s or doctorate degree in acupuncture, there are several requirements for acupuncture licensure in New Jersey. Be sure to visit the websites for the  National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and the New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs Acupuncture Examing Board for the most current information.

  • New Jersey requires a Bachelor’s degree that is independent of the courses taken to obtain an acupuncture degree.
  • Candidates must pass three board exams from the NCCAOM in Acupuncture, Foundations of Oriental Medicine, and Biomedicine.
  • In order to practice herbal medicine in New Jersey, practitioners must have an accredited master’s degree that includes herbal medicine (ex: MSTOM), and must pass the NCCAOM Chinese Herbology exam.
  • Candidates must complete the Clean Needle Technique course and exam, administered by the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine before being eligible to sit for any board exams.
  • The Acupuncture Examining Board requires every applicant for licensure to complete the New Jersey Acupuncture Safety and Jurisprudence Examination.
  • All applicants must submit to a state-administered background check and fingerprinting. 

Licensing standards are consistent with other medical practice applications and procedures, including continuing education requirements.

Continuing Education

Consistent with the standards of other licensed medical professionals, licensed acupuncturists in New Jersey are required to complete continuing education in order to maintain their license. Practitioners must complete at least 30 credit hours of continuing education every two years in order to renew their license. Visit NCCAOM.org and the New Jersey Acupuncture Examining Board’s website for more information.

Licensed Independent Practitioners

The United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics classify Licensed Acupuncturists as licensed independent practitioners that diagnose and treat.  Licensed acupuncturists are also recognized as preventing disorders by stimulating specific acupuncture points using acupuncture needles, nutritional supplements, therapeutic massage, and other therapeutic modalities. According to occupational employment and wages statistics compiled in May 2021, the national estimates, about 90% of acupuncturists reported earning about $126,440 annually.

Outside of self-employment and outpatient care centers, general and specialty hospitals were cited as top industries for licensed acupuncturists with an annual mean wage of over $100,000. One exception is the U.S Army that downgraded licensed acupuncturist to the level of technician, despite serving as independent practitioners, from GS-12 to GS-8 which averages under $50,000 annually.

Continuing Education

Most states and the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) require a specific number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in a range of categories such as acupuncture, herbs, biomedicine, Safety, Ethics, and CPR. Visit NCCAOM.org and the New Jersey Acupuncture Examining Board’s website for more information.

Events & Workshops

On this page, you will find information and links to current events and workshops that off CEUs, advanced training, or other professional events.

United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics

The United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics classify Licensed Acupuncturists as licensed independent practitioners that diagnose and treat.  Licensed acupuncturists are also recognized as preventing disorders by stimulating specific acupuncture points using acupuncture needles, nutritional supplements, therapeutic massage, and other therapeutic modalities.

According to occupational employment and wages statistics compiled in May 2021, the national estimates, about 90% of acupuncturists reported earning about $126,440 annually.

Outside of self-employment and outpatient care centers, general and specialty hospitals were cited as top industries for licensed acupuncturists with an annual mean wage of over $100,000. One exception is the U.S Army that downgraded licensed acupuncturist to the level of technician, despite serving as independent practitioners, from GS-12 to GS-8 which averages under $50,000 annually.