Iowa Acupuncturist License Renewal

After an acupuncture license is issued, the license expires on October 31 of even years.

Renewal applications must include the correct renewal fee, along with documented evidence that the licensee holds current active status as a diplomate in acupuncture or oriental medicine from the NCCAOM.

 

To be licensed in the state of Iowa, acupuncturists must show the following:

1. Successful completion of a three-year postsecondary training program or acupuncture college program which is accredited by, in candidacy for accreditation by, or which meets the standards of the National Accreditation Commission for Schools and Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

2. Current active status as a diplomate in the NCCAOM

3. Sufficient knowledge of the English language

   • An applicant who passed the NCCAOM written and practical examination components in English may be presumed to have sufficient proficiency in English

   • An applicant who passed NCCAOM written or practical examination components in a language other than English shall pass the Test of Spoken English (TSE) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), examinations administered by the Educational Testing Service. A passing score on TSE is a minimum of 50. A passing score on TOEFL is a minimum overall score of 550 on the paper-based TOEFL that was administered on a Friday or Saturday (formerly special or international administration) or a minimum overall score of 213 on the computer-administered TOEFL, or a minimum overall score of 79 on the internet-based examination

4. Successful completion of a course in Clean Needle Technique approved by the NCCAOM

Physicians, Chiropractors, Dentists, and Podiatrists are licensees that are not required to obtain an acupuncture license. Instead, these health care providers may practice acupuncture under their Iowa professional license according to IAC 653-17.2(148E). For more information on this subject, please visit the Iowa State Board’s website.

 

 

Display of Certificate & Disclosure of Information to Patients

Please review the following paragraph to stay current on Iowa state laws and rules pertaining to the practice of acupuncture.

An acupuncturist shall display the license issued pursuant to section 148E.2 in a conspicuous place in the acupuncturist’s place of business.  Pursuant to Iowa Code section 148E.6, acupuncturists must provide a disclosure sheet to each patient upon initial contact. The disclosure sheet must be signed and dated by the patient and retained for at least 5 years after cessation of the treatment. The following information must be contained on the written form.

(1) The name, business address, and business telephone number of the acupuncturist.

(2) A fee schedule.

(3)  A listing of the acupuncturist’s education, experience, degrees, certificates, or credentials related to acupuncture awarded by professional acupuncture organizations, the length of time required to obtain the degrees or credentials, and experience.

(4)  A statement indicating any license, certificate, or registration in a health care occupation which was revoked by any local, state, or national health care agency.

(5)  A statement that the acupuncturist is complying with statutes and rules adopted by the board, including a statement that only pre-sterilized, disposable needles are used by the acupuncturist.

(6)  A statement indicating that the practice of acupuncture is regulated by the board.

(7)  A statement indicating that a license to practice acupuncture does not authorize a person to practice medicine and surgery in this state, and that the services of an acupuncturist must not be regarded as diagnosis and treatment by a person licensed to practice medicine and must not be regarded as medical opinion or advice.

For more information and details, please visit the Iowa Acupuncture Board’s website.

Updated 11/30/2017