21 NCAC 10 .0208             Acupuncture

(a)  Acupuncture is defined as a form of health care developed from traditional and modern Chinese medical concepts that employ acupuncture diagnosis and treatment, and adjunctive therapies and diagnostic techniques, for the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health and the prevention of disease. To perform acupuncture, a licentiate shall take the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Acupuncture Examination, receive a passing score of 375 or greater, and certify to the Board that he or she has met the instruction prerequisites for the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Acupuncture Examination, as set forth by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners on its website at https://www.mynbce.org/acupuncture/.

(b)  Prior to performing acupuncture, a licentiate or applicant for licensure must provide the Board with the following:

(1)           An official transcript from an acupuncture program accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education demonstrating eligibility to sit for the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Acupuncture Examination; and

(2)           Proof of successful completion of the acupuncture examination described in this Rule.

(c)  Licentiates holding an active license as of December 31, 2022 and who have received prior approval from the Board to perform acupuncture are not required to meet the requirements of this Rule. However, if a licentiate grandfathered under this rule subsequently allows his or her license to lapse or if the license is subsequently subject to active suspension or placed in a status other than active, the licentiate shall be required to comply with this Rule before being permitted to perform acupuncture.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90-142; 90-143; 90-151;

Eff. February 1, 2004;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2006;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. April 27, 2019;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2022;

Readopted Eff. April 1, 2026.