Acupuncture Certification Process

To become certified in Tennessee a person must comply with one of the following sets of procedures and requirements: (1) Grandfathering - Any person is eligible to receive a certificate upon compliance with all subparagraphs contained in paragraph (2) except subparagraphs (e), (i), and (j) and upon further showing satisfactory proof of one (1) of the following: (a) Tennessee residency on January 1, 2001, and successful completion of an approved apprenticeship or tutorial program that meets NCBAHM standards. 1. Tennessee residency may be proven by submission of a copy of either a voter registration card indicating residency in Tennessee on or prior to January 1, 2001, or a Tennessee driver license issued on or prior to January 1, 2001. 2. All documentation to support the apprenticeship or tutorial program and how it meets NCBAHM standards must be sent directly from the program or NCBAHM to the Administrative Office. (b) Continuous practice of acupuncture in Tennessee since January 1, 2001, and having a license/certificate in good standing to practice acupuncture in another state immediately prior to practicing in Tennessee. 1. Continuous practice in Tennessee since January 1, 2001, may be proven by submission of either of the following: (i) Photocopies of paycheck(s), paycheck stub(s), or Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Forms W-2, 1099-Misc., or Schedules C or C-EZ for IRS Form 1040 to verify proof of income from the practice of acupuncture; or (ii) Notarized letters from two (2) individuals other than family members attesting to the applicant’s continuous practice. 2. A certificate of licensure/certification in good standing in another state must be submitted directly from that state licensure/certification agency to the Administrative Office and show a date of issuance prior to the date on which the applicant commenced practice in Tennessee. (2) Certification by diplomate status - An applicant for certification by diplomate status shall do the following: (a) Request an application packet from the Administrative Office. Applicants may apply online at the Board’s website. (b) Respond truthfully and completely to every question or request for information contained in the application form and submit it, along with all documentation and fees required by the form and rules, to the Administrative Office. It is the intent of this rule GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING CHAPTER 0880-12 THE PRACTICE OF ACUPUNCTURISTS that activities necessary to accomplish the filing of the required documentation be completed prior to filing an application and that all documentation be filed simultaneously. (c) Submit a clear, recognizable, recently taken bust photograph which shows the full head, face forward from at least the top of the shoulder up. (d) Submit evidence of good moral character. Such evidence shall be two (2) recent (within the preceding 12 months) original letters from medical professionals, attesting to the applicant’s personal character and professional ethics. These letters shall be signed and dated. (e) Have submitted directly from the NCBAHM to the Administrative Office proof of current diplomate status in acupuncture. (f) Disclose the circumstances surrounding any of the following: 1. Conviction of any criminal law violation of any country, state or municipality, except minor traffic violations. 2. The denial of professional licensure/certification application by any other state or the discipline of licensure/certification in any state. 3. Loss or restriction of licensure/certification. 4. Any civil suit judgment or civil suit settlement in which the applicant was a party defendant including, without limitation, actions involving malpractice, breach of contract, antitrust activity or any other civil action remedy recognized under the country’s or state’s statutory, common or case law. 5. Failure of any professional licensure or certification examination. (g) The applicant shall cause the results of a criminal background check to be submitted to the Committee’s Administrative Office directly from the vendor identified in the Committee’s licensure application materials. (h) The applicant shall cause each licensing authority for each state or country in which the applicant has ever held a license/certificate authorizing the applicant to practice any profession to send the equivalent of a Tennessee Certificate of Endorsement to the Committee. This documentation must include whether the license/certificate is currently or was previously held by the applicant and whether the license/certificate is in good standing presently or was in good standing when it became inactive. It is the applicant’s responsibility to request this information be sent directly from each such licensing/certifying board to the Administrative Office. (i) Provide graduate transcripts from an acupuncture training program or college acupuncture program sent directly from the training program or college to the Administrative Office. This proof must also include the following: 1. Proof that the college or training program: (i) Holds ACAHM accreditation, or (ii) Is in ACAHM candidacy status, or GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING CHAPTER 0880-12 THE PRACTICE OF ACUPUNCTURISTS (iii) Meets ACAHM standards; and 2. Notation of successful completion or graduation from the acupuncture training program or college acupuncture program and carry the official seal of the institution. (j) Have proof of successful completion of a NCBAHM-approved clean needle technique course sent directly from the course provider to the Administrative Office. (k) Submit the fees required in Rule 0880-12-.06. (3) Certification by reciprocity - To become certified in Tennessee based on licensure or certification in another state, an applicant must (a) Comply with all the requirements of paragraph (2) of this rule except subparagraph (e); and (b) Have proof of licensure or certification in a state that has licensure or certification requirements substantially equivalent, as determined by the Committee, to the requirements of T.C.A. §§ 63-6-1001, et seq., and this chapter of rules sent directly from the state licensing/certifying agency to the Administrative Office. (4) Application review and certification decisions shall be governed by Rule 0880-12-.07.