Section 216-RICR-40-05-8.3 - Qualifications for Licensure8.3.1General RequirementsA. Persons licensed and registered as physicians under R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-37 who are authorized to practice acupuncture and Chinese medicine are exempt from the licensure requirements of §§ 8.4 - 8.8 of this Part in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-37-20.B. All Doctors of Acupuncture and Doctors of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine licensed in accordance with the Act must abide by the NCCAOM Code of Ethics.8.3.2Doctor of AcupunctureA. Before any applicant seeking licensure as a Doctor of Acupuncture is eligible for licensure, they must furnish satisfactory proof to the Department that they: 1. Are a United States citizen or legal alien;2. Have passed the examination administered by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine or any credentialing body meeting the standards for professional certification programs approved by the Department.3. Have demonstrated proficiency in the English language by successfully completing the test administered by the NCCAOM (or similar credentialing body that meets the standards for professional certification programs approved by the Department) in English or by successfully completing the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).4. Are at least twenty-one (21) years of age.5. Meet the requirements for completion of an accredited program as specified in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-37.2-12.1(5).6. Meet the clinical internship training as designated as appropriate by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (or any credentialing body meeting the standards for professional certification programs approved by the Department).7. Have two (2) letters of reference from reputable individuals other than relatives, at least one (1) of which shall be from a licensed or registered acupuncturist.8.3.3Requirements for a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine LicenseA. Acupuncture licensees who obtained licensure prior to January 1, 2022, and employ herbal therapy, including herbal formulations, and who submitted evidence of herbal training that the Department has determined was substantially equivalent or exceeded the ACAHM curricular requirements regarding Chinese herbal medicine may continue to employ herbal therapy and may be granted a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine license by the Department.B. In addition to the licensure requirements of § 8.3.2(A) of this Part, an applicant seeking licensure as a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine may apply by submitting evidence of one (1) of the following: 1. Completion of an ACAHM accredited or candidate status Oriental Medicine program, or traditional Chinese Medicine program, or an herbal medicine program that the Department determines is substantially equivalent or exceeds the ACAHM curriculum requirements regarding herbal medicine; or,2. A passing score on the NCCAOM exam module for Chinese Herbology.216 R.I. Code R. § 216-RICR-40-05-8.3
Amended effective 2/12/2024