Commerce

Professional Licensing

Rule 72: Acupuncture Licensing Act Rule

Effective Date: 08/07/2026

Admin. Code Reference: R156-72

Rule Type: Current Rule

R156. Commerce, Professional Licensing.

R156-72. Acupuncture Licensing Act Rule.

R156-72-101. Title - Authority - Relationship to Rule R156-1.

(1) This rule is known as the "Acupuncture Licensing Act Rule."

(2) This rule is adopted by the Division under the authority of Subsection 58-1-106(1)(a) to enable the Division to administer Title 58, Chapter 72, Acupuncture Licensing Act.

(3) The organization of this rule and its relationship to Rule R156-1 is as described in Section R156-1-101.

R156-72-102. Definitions.

Terms used in this rule are defined in Title 58, Chapter 1, Division of Professional Licensing Act and in Title 58, Chapter 72, Acupuncture Licensing Act. In addition:

(1) "ACAHM" means the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine.

(2) "According to practitioner training" in Subsection 58-72-102(5)(b)(ii) means that the licensee has completed education and training from an educational program accredited or recognized by ACAHM regarding the recommendation, administration, or provision of dietary guidelines, herbs, supplements, homeopathics, and therapeutic exercise.

(3) "Administering" in Subsection 58-72-102(5)(b)(ii) means the direct application of an herb, homeopathic, or supplement to the body of a patient by:

(a) ingestion;

(b) topical application;

(d) point injection therapy.

(4) "BLS-CPR Certification" means Basic Life Support and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification.

(5) "Herbs" and "homeopathics" in Subsection 58-72-102(5)(b)(ii) may include:

(a) vitamins;

(b) minerals;

(d) proteins; or

(e) enzymes.

(6) "Insertion of acupuncture needles" in Subsection 58-72-102(5)(a) means a procedure of acupuncture and oriental medicine including myofascial trigger point therapy, intramuscular therapy, perineural injection therapy, prolotherapy, proprioceptive stimulation, Ashi points, or dry needling techniques.

(7) "Modern research" in Subsection 58-72-102(5)(b)(ii) means practicing according to acupuncture and oriental medicine education and training as recognized through NCBAHM.

(8) "NCBAHM" means the National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, formerly known as the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists (NCCA).

R156-72-302a. Qualifications for Licensure - Certification and Exam Requirements.

Under Subsections 58-72-302(3) and (4), to meet the requirements for current active certification in acupuncture under guidelines established by NCBAHM and the requirements for passing the examination required by the Division, an applicant for licensure as a licensed acupuncturist shall submit documentation of:

(1) current and active NCBAHM certification; or

(2) pursuant to Subsection 58-1-302(2) or (3), licensure in good standing as an acupuncturist in any jurisdiction, for at least one year immediately preceding the application.

R156-72-302b. Qualifications for Licensure - Animal Acupuncture.

Under Subsections 58-28-307(12)(d) and 58-72-102(5)(b)(iii), to engage in the practice of animal acupuncture, a licensed acupuncturist shall complete 100 hours of animal acupuncture training and education that includes:

(1) fifty hours of on-the-job training under the direct or indirect supervision of a licensed veterinarian;

(2) animal anatomy training; and

(3) the remaining hours in animal specific continuing education.

R156-72-302c. Informed Consent.

(1) Under Subsection 58-72-302(5), to enable patients to give informed consent to treatment, a licensed acupuncturist shall have a patient chart for each patient that includes:

(a) a written review of symptoms;

(b) a statement signed by the patient consenting to acupuncture treatment; and

(c) if the patient is receiving an adjunctive therapy as defined in Subsection 58-72-102(5)(b), a written disclosure signed by the patient regarding the licensed acupuncturist's education and training to perform that therapy.

(2) Under Section 58-72-503, an acupuncturist shall maintain patient records, including records documenting informed consent, for five years.

R156-72-303. Licensing Term - Renewal and Reinstatement Procedures.

(1) Under Subsections 58-1-308(1) and 58-72-303(1), the renewal date for the two-year renewal cycle for licensees under Title 58, Chapter 72, Acupuncture Licensing Act is established in Section R156-1-308a.

(2) Renewal and reinstatement procedures shall be in accordance with Sections R156-1-308b through R156-1-308l.

(3) Under Subsections 58-1-308(3)(b) and 58-72-303(3), a licensee who does not maintain current and active NCBAHM certification shall:

(a) complete at least 30 continuing education units (CEU) or 30 professional development activity (PDA) points within the two-year renewal period; and

(b) maintain current BLS-CPR certification.

R156-72-304. Acupuncture Aide Qualifications - Use of Acupuncture Aides and Supportive Services.

(1) An acupuncture aide shall meet the qualifications in Subsection 58-72-102(1).

(2) Under Subsection 58-72-102(6)(a), the supportive services in which an acupuncture aide may engage include the following:

(a) removing acupuncture needles;

(b) monitoring acupuncture procedures, including the application of heat or moxibustion;

(d) taking a patient's blood pressure;

(e) attending to patient treatment rooms; or

(f) a basic administrative task performed in accordance with training provided by the supervising acupuncturist.

R156-72-503. Unprofessional Conduct.

Under Subsection 58-72-102(7), "unprofessional conduct" includes:

(1) failing to maintain office, instruments, equipment, appliances, or supplies in a safe and sanitary condition;

(2) violating Subsection 58-72-303(3) regarding renewal qualifications by:

(a) failing to maintain current and active NCBAHM certification;

(b) failing to complete all continuing education units (CEUs) required under Subsection R156-72-303(3); or

(3) failing to abide by the NCBAHM Code of Ethics revised November 2023, that is incorporated by reference;

(4) failing to maintain patient records for a five-year period;

(5) recommending, administering, or providing dietary guidelines, herbs, supplements, homeopathics, or therapeutic exercise without having completed the required practitioner training under Subsections 58-72-102(5)(b)(ii) and R156-72-102(2); or

(6) administering venous injections, immunizations, or controlled substances.

R156-72-701. Injection Therapy - Training Requirements.

(1) Under Subsection 58-72-102(3) and Section 58-72-701, the education and training curriculum for an acupuncturist to provide injection therapy shall:

(a) be approved by NCBAHM or ACAHM;

(b) be at least 24 clock hours which shall include at least 16 hours of in-person, hands-on, clinical experience;

(i) contraindications, indications, and universal precautions;

(ii) administration of substances authorized for point injection;

(iii) aseptic technique;

(iv) recordkeeping;

(v) storage; and

(vi) emergency procedures, including:

(A) responding to adverse reactions;

(B) administration of oxygen; and

(2) An acupuncturist shall document completion of the education and training curriculum by obtaining a certification of completion from the course provider.

R156-72-702. Injection Therapy - Substances.

Under Subsection 58-72-102(3), a licensed acupuncturist who meets the qualifications to perform injection therapy required under Sections 58-72-701 and R156-72-701 may inject any of the following sterile substances in liquid form into acupuncture points on the body:

(1) an herb;

(2) a supplement;

(3) a vitamin; or

(4) a homeopathic product.

KEY: acupuncture, licensing

Date of Last Change: August 7, 2026

Notice of Continuation: August 21, 2026

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 58-72-101; 58-1-106(1)(a); 58-1-202(1)(a)