Licensing Disclosure & Professional Licensure Information

Colorado Chinese Medicine University (CCMU) provides professional licensure disclosure information to assist prospective and current students in understanding how degree programs relate to state licensing requirements for acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Because state licensure laws vary and can change, detailed information is maintained by the CCMU Registrar and state licensing boards.

Purpose of Licensing Disclosure

In accordance with Regulations 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v) and 34 CFR 668.43 (c), CCMU discloses licensing information relevant to its degree programs. This disclosure outlines general educational requirements, professional certification expectations, and state-level licensure variations for acupuncture and related professional practice.

Licensure Requirements Vary by State

Licensure requirements for acupuncture and Chinese medicine vary by state and jurisdiction in the United States and internationally.

Colorado Chinese Medicine University (CCMU) provides educational programs designed to prepare students for professional practice; however, graduation from a CCMU program does not automatically guarantee licensure in every state or country.

Students are encouraged to review licensure requirements carefully before enrolling. Please email the Registrar at registrar@ccmu.edu to request licensure information for a specific state or contact that state’s licensing board to request information. 

Variations in State Licensing Rules

Each state establishes their acupuncture licensing laws and there are several variables that affect eligibility for each state. Also note, that laws, rules, and regulations change frequently. 

The most common variables in state licensing laws are:

1. State’s may require 60 undergraduate credits, 90 undergraduate credits or a Baccalaureate degree. In addition, some states require specific course work be covered in undergraduate training or as part of the graduate program. Most accredited Master’s degree programs accept students with a minimum of 60 undergraduate credits. A minimum of 90 credits is required for admissions into the DAc and DAcCHM programs. Some states require atypical course work such as courses in the state practice act, HIV education, or medical errors courses to qualify. Contact the CCMU Registrar for current information on undergraduate credit requirements.
2. Several states require accredited Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) training to be eligible for licensure. Graduates of programs that are acupuncture only, such as MAc and DAc programs would not be eligible for licensure in states that require CHM training. Contact the CCMU Registrar for information on states requiring CHM training.
3. Some states administer their own licensing board exams that take precedence over the NCBAHM™(formerly known as NCCAOM) exams. At this time 46 states use the NCBAHM™(formerly known as NCCAOM) exams as the benchmark for license eligibility requirement, including Colorado. California uses its own licensing exam. Nevada and New Mexico use a combination of their own exams with the NCBAHM™(formerly known as NCCAOM) exams for eligibility purposes.
4. Some states have clinical training hours that exceed the ACAHM minimum required hours or the CCMU clinical hours for Master’s degree programs. Please contact the CCMU Registrar regarding state requirements for clinical training hours.
5. Some states have a typical requirements. For information Contact the CCMU Registrar.

About CCMU Programs and Licensure

CCMU’s degree programs are designed to meet the educational standards commonly required for acupuncture licensure in many U.S. states.

Please note:

• Licensure is regulated by individual state licensing boards

• Additional requirements may include national examinations, state jurisprudence exams, background checks, or supervised clinical hours

• Licensure regulations may change over time

Below is a list of those states that CCMU programs meet licensure requirements. Please note that legislation changes can take place and completing the program does not guarantee state licensure eligibility alone. Many states require a state-specific exam in Jurisprudence or other areas of state-specific laws in addition to the NCBAHM™( NCCAOM) exam modules. Always check state licensure requirements prior to applying for an acupuncture license.

Program	Meets State Requirements	Additional Training Required
MAc	AK, CO, CT, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY, DC DC, IL, MA, OH, NJ, PA, VT (for acupuncture only licensure) AL, OK, SD (no Acupuncture licensure)	AZ requires more clinical hours than the CCMU MAc. Herbal training Required: AR, DE, HI, FL, KS, NM, NV, TX, VT, CA
MAcCHM	AK, AZ, CO, CT, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY, DC AR, DE, HI, FL, KS, NM, NV, TX, VT, CA  AL, OK, SD (no Acupuncture licensure)	California requires passage of the California Exam. Florida only accepts masters-level degrees in TCM for licensure as of 2021. FL also requires training in injection therapies prior to licensure.
DAc	AK, AZ, CO, CT, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, UT, VA,  WA, WI, WV, WY, Washington DC DC, IL, MA, OH, NJ, PA, VT(for acupuncture only licensure) AL, OK, SD (no Acupuncture licensure)	Herbal training Required: AR, DE, HI, FL, KS, NM, NV, TX, VT, CA
DAcCHM	AK, AZ, CO, CT, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY, DC AR, DE, HI, FL, KS, NM, NV, TX, VT, CA AL, OK, SD (no Acupuncture licensure)	California requires passage of the California exam.

Final licensure decisions are made solely by the applicable licensing authority.

Completion of any of the CCMU programs does not guarantee licensure in any state. Most states require passage of some or all of the NCBAHM™(formerly known as NCCAOM) exam modules and the CCAHM Clean Needle Technique exam for licensure. In California you must take a program approved by the California Acupuncture Board and pass the California Acupuncture Board exam to qualify for licensure. California requires Chinese Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture and Bioscience training to be qualified for the CAB Exam. CCMU has not applied for California Acupuncture Board approval. CCMU MAcCHM/DAcCHM graduates should check with the California Acupuncture Board for regarding any additional course work requirements to be eligible for licensure in California.

Useful Resources

• For each state law licensing information, please visit Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine organizations websites:Legal Information about Acupuncture by State – Acufinder.com

• National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCBAHM™, formerly known as NCCAOM): 904-598-1005, use this link to access the NCBAHM™(NCCAOM) State Licensure Interactive Map

• Acupuncture Association of Colorado 303-572-8744, Acupuncture Association of Colorado – Home (acucol.com)

• American Society of Acupuncturists Acupuncture Legislation – American Society of Acupuncturists (asacu.org)

CCMU supports student and practitioner involvement in state and national professional organizations.