What is the difference between a Licensed Acupuncturist and a Certified Acupuncturist?
A Physician or Dentist can become a Certified Acupuncturist with 300 hours of training which is often comprised of home study and video-taped lectures. They have minimal clinical experience in acupuncture and often no actual patient treatments before certification. They are not required to complete the national certification exam to prove competency in acupuncture, and they are not required to complete continuing education classes.
A Licensed Acupuncturist in New York State must have a minimum of 4050 hours of masters- level training with at least 650 hours of clinical training and a minimum of 250 patient treatments before graduation. We are required to pass the national certification examination in acupuncture and we must complete regular continuing education to maintain national certification.