Choosing to practice Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine comes with much responsibility. Knowing your individual state licensing requirements is essential to begin practicing. Many states vary in their specific eligibility requirements.
Read on to learn about the specifics of being licensed and practicing Acupuncture in the state of Oregon.
Oregon Acupuncture Basics
To practice acupuncture in the state of Oregon, one must follow all the state guidelines, as defined by the Oregon Medical Board.
Acupuncture licenses have a 2-year registration period before they need to be renewed.
The Oregon Medical Board defines the scope of practice for a state-licensed Acupuncturist to be the following, “An acupuncturist is licensed to provide health care using acupuncture and other forms of Traditional Oriental Medicine. Acupuncture treats neurological, organic, or functional disorders by stimulation of specific points on the surface of the body by the insertion of needles. Under Oregon law, the practice of acupuncture also includes traditional and modern techniques of Oriental diagnosis and evaluation; Oriental massage, exercise, and related therapeutic methods; use of Oriental herbs, vitamins, minerals, and dietary advice.”
The Oregon Medical Board welcomed 1,818 new licensees to Oregon in 2021.
Oregon Acupuncture Licensing Requirements
To be eligible to have an acupuncture license in Oregon, an applicant must have:
- Graduated from an acupuncture program that satisfies the standards of the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) or an equivalent accreditation body. Alternatively, the applicant may show adequate clinical acupuncture practice in the United States for five of the last seven years (see Oregon Administrative Rule 847-070-0016).
- Current certification in acupuncture by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), passing all national board exams and staying up to date with continuing education credits every 4 years.
- English language proficiency.
- Completed an Oregon Medical Board Application, and paid all associated fees
- Criminal Background Check
Acupuncture Licensing Cost
- Oregon Medical Board Application processing- $245
- Criminal Background Check- $48 All applicants must provide fingerprints for a state and federal criminal history record check. All fingerprints are processed through the Oregon State Police (OSP) and the FBI. A history of criminal activity will be reviewed and may result in the denial of your application.
- Initial Registration Fee- $322
- Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Workforce Database Fee- $4
Total cost for New license – $619
Note: All information is up to date as of 2022-2023