1. (a) The Board will register as an acupuncturist a nonosteopathic physician who satisfies the following requirements:

   1. (1) Has successfully completed an acupuncture program which includes a course in needle sterilization techniques.

      1. (i) If the acupuncture education program is taken within the United States, the applicant shall complete 2 academic years of acupuncture training and shall complete 2 academic years of a college level educational program.
      2. (ii) If the educational program is taken outside of the United States, an applicant shall graduate from a college with a program of study including Oriental medicine and document 300 class hours of study in acupuncture training.

   2. (2) Has obtained a passing grade on an acupuncture examination or has been certified by the NCCA by credential review. The Board accepts the passing grade on the certifying examination of the NCCA as determined by the NCCA, and accepts a passing grade on any state’s acupuncture examination taken prior to January 1, 1987, as determined by the licensing or registering authority in the other state. If the examination was not taken in English, but is otherwise acceptable and a passing score was secured, the Board will accept the examination result if the applicant can demonstrate English language proficiency by one of the following:

      1. (i) The applicant’s educational program was in English.
      2. (ii) The applicant’s training was at an English-speaking facility.
      3. (iii) The applicant’s entry examination was taken in English.
      4. (iv) The applicant has achieved a scaled score of 83 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL®) Internet-based test, 220 on the TOEFL® computer-based test or 550 on the TOEFL® paper-based test or an equivalent score on a successor examination of the TOEFL®. The Board will make available a list of Board-approved successor examinations on its website.
      5. (v) The applicant has achieved a score of 350 in each of the four sub-tests of the Occupational English Test.
      6. (vi) The applicant has achieved a passing score on an English language proficiency examination equivalent to the TOEFL® or Occupational English Test, as determined by the Board. The Board will make available a list of equivalent Board-approved English language proficiency examinations on its website.

      7. (vii) The applicant was required to demonstrate English language proficiency to be issued a license in another jurisdiction.

         (2.1) Completes at least 3 hours of mandatory training in child abuse recognition and reporting in accordance with § 25.417(a) (relating to child abuse recognition and reporting—mandatory training requirement).

   3. (3) Submits an application for licensure to register as an acupuncturist accompanied by the required fee.

2. (b) The Board will license as an acupuncturist an osteopathic physician who satisfies the following requirements:

   1. (1) Has successfully completed 200 hours of training in acupuncture medical programs including examinations required by those programs or has engaged in clinical acupuncture practice for at least 3 years prior to January 1, 1987, documented to the satisfaction of the Board.

      (1.1) Completes at least 3 hours of mandatory training in child abuse recognition and reporting in accordance with § 25.417(a) (relating to child abuse recognition and reporting—mandatory training requirement).

   2. (2) Submits an application to register as an acupuncturist accompanied by the required fee.

3. (c) The Board will register as an acupuncturist supervisor an osteopathic physician who satisfies the following requirements:

   1. (1) Possesses a license without restriction.
   2. (2) Submits an application to register as an acupuncturist supervisor accompanied by the required fee.

Authority

The provisions of this § 25.303 amended under section 16 of the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act (63 P.S. § 271.16); 23 Pa.C.S. § 6383(b)(2); 63 Pa.C.S. § 3111; and section 3 of the Acupuncture Licensure Act (63 P.S. § 1803).

Source

The provisions of this § 25.303 amended December 29, 2023, effective December 30, 2023, 53 Pa.B. 8218; amended January 17, 2025, effective January 18, 2025, 55 Pa.B. 457. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (417271) to (417272).

Cross References

This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 5.81 (relating to unprofessional and immoral conduct); and 49 Pa. Code § 25.248 (relating to licensure by endorsement under 63 Pa.C.S. § 3111).