Acupuncture, Board of

Acupuncture, Board of

Chapter 2: License Requirements and Application Procedures

Effective Date: 04/21/2021 to 04/05/2023

Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 252.0001.2.04212021

CHAPTER 2

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Section 1. General license requirements. The following requirements apply to all applicants for licensure as an acupuncturist:

1. (a) Applicants for a general acupuncture license shall submit:
2. (i) A complete and legible application form with a recent, unmounted, full-face photograph;
3. (ii) Proof of Lawful Presence in the United States;
4. (iii) Payment of the fees set by the Board;
5. (iv) Documents meeting the requirements of either (A) or (B) below:
   1. (A) An official transcript giving evidence of graduation from an accredited ACAOM program or a substantively equivalent program; and
   2. (I) Official passing score of the NCCAOM Biomedicine, Point Location, and Foundations of Oriental Medicine; or
   3. (II) Evidence of continuous practice of acupuncture in Wyoming for the last ten (10) years prior to January 1, 2018; or
   4. (III) Official passing score of the California Acupuncture Licensing Examination.
   5. (B) Evidence of other examination, education, or apprenticeship processes that demonstrate that the applicant is substantively qualified. To be deemed substantively qualified by the Board, the applicant's submissions must, when viewed together, demonstrate sufficient competency to practice acupuncture.
   6. (v) Verification of license in good standing from all jurisdictions in which the applicant is currently, or has ever been licensed or certified in any health care profession;
6. (b) No applicant for license shall have been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude or controlled substances which may impair the applicant's ability to provide competent health care or which could pose a threat to the safety of the consumer public. A plea of nolo contendere shall establish guilt to the underlying criminal charge(s).
7. (c) The Board may issue a license by endorsement in accordance with W.S. 33-49-109.

Section 2. Auricular acupuncture license.

(a) An acupuncture detoxification specialist (ADS) is an individual who practices auricular acupuncture as defined in W.S. 33-49-102(a)(iv). ADSes are trained through NADA to apply up to five fine-gauge, sterilized, one-time use stainless steel needles just under the skin at designated points in each ear. The five points include sympathetic, Shen Meen, kidney, liver, and lung.

(b) Applicants for an auricular acupuncturist license shall submit:

(i) A complete and legible application form with a recent, unmounted, full-face photograph;

(ii) Proof of Lawful Presence in the United States;

(iii) Payment of the fees set by the Board; and

(iv) Evidence of completion of NADA certification training or an equivalent training certificate approved by the Board.

Section 3. Renewal of license.

(a) A license will expire one (1) year after issuance.

(b) A license not renewed annually by the expiration date is expired.

(c) It is the license holder’s responsibility to renew before the expiration date.

(d) Renewal of a general license shall include submission of the following:

(i) A complete application and renewal fee, postmarked or electronically completed no later than the expiration date in order to meet the renewal deadline without penalty; and

(ii) A copy of a current NCCAOM membership card; or

(iii) The successful completion of thirty (30) continuing education credits every two (2) years;

(e) Renewal of an auricular acupuncture license shall include submission of a complete application and renewal fee, postmarked or electronically completed no later than the expiration date in order to meet the renewal deadline without penalty.

(f) Each license holder shall report name changes and changes in business and home addresses to the Board within thirty (30) days of the change.

Section 4. Expired license.

(a) A license holder who fails to renew the license on or before the expiration date shall not practice acupuncture in this state.

(b) License holders who allow their license to expire must complete the licensing requirements specified in Rules and Regulations, Chapter 2, Section 1 if they choose to reapply for a license in this state.