- (1) Each acupuncture licensee shall earn 30 hours of accredited continuing acupuncture education during each two-year licensing period. Hours shall be the actual number of hours during which instruction was given.
(2) Aside from training hours, acupuncturists may obtain CE as follows:
- (a) a maximum of eight hours may be given for the first-time preparation of a new course, in-service training workshop, or seminar which is related to the enhancement of acupuncture practice, values, skills, and knowledge; or
- (b) a maximum of eight hours credit may be given for the preparation by the author or authors of a professional acupuncture paper published for the first time in a recognized professional journal; or given for the first time at a statewide or national professional meeting; and
- (c) a licensee may claim five hours of self-study.
- (3) If a licensee completes more than 30 hours of continuing education in a two-year licensing period, excess hours in an amount not to exceed 15 hours may be carried forward to the next two-year licensing period.
(4) Approved continuing education includes:
- (a) courses accredited by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine;
- (b) courses sponsored by a state acupuncture association or an acupuncture school; and
- (c) teaching acupuncture in an accredited academic or continuing education program.
- (5) Any licensee may apply for a hardship exemption from the continuing acupuncture education requirements of these rules by filing a statement with the board setting forth good faith reasons why he or she is unable to comply with these rules and an exemption may be granted by the board.
Authorizing statute(s): 37-1-131, 37-1-319, 37-13-201, MCA
Implementing statute(s): 37-1-131, 37-1-306, 37-13-201, MCA
History: NEW, 2012 MAR p. 404, Eff. 2/24/12; AMD, 2015 MAR p. 820, Eff. 6/26/15; TRANS and AMD, from 24.156.1408, 2023 MAR p. 1093, Eff. 10/1/23; TRANS and AMD, from 24.111.815, 2026 MAR, Notice No. 2025-128, Eff. 4/11/26.