Acupuncture Requirements for South Carolina

Ponton and her husband, an acupuncture doctor in private practice since 1999, had considered moving from Florida to South Carolina, but the restrictive law was a deterrent, Ponton said. “We visited friends in Greenville and fell in love with the area, but felt the laws governing my profession were simply too restrictive.” (3) have an active certification in acupuncture by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine; A: You might be surprised if your doctor asks you to look at your tongue during an acupuncture appointment. That is what we can see. After moving to South Carolina, Ponton opened the Greenville Natural Health Center, which specializes in women`s health and wellness. She has tried to promote and advance TCM by organizing several free seminars. She also played an active role in lobbying for the passage of the Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act (HR 646), which would add acupuncture as a benefit covered by both Medicare and the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. Ponton not only encouraged his patients to write or call his members of Congress to support the bill, but also appeared on local television and wrote articles for the local newspaper to educate consumers about integrated care as a way to solve the health crisis. The Acupuncture Act of South Carolina set the entry-level standard at the NCCAOM diplomat level for anyone who can practice acupuncture in South Carolina. (A) Each applicant for a licence to practise acupuncture shall: (2) However, a licence issued in accordance with subsection (A)(1) is valid for only two years. According to this, for the renewal of the license, the person must have an active certification from the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and meet the approval and renewal requirements prescribed in this article. Q: Why did my acupuncturist look at my tongue before an acupuncture treatment? (B) A person who has continuously practiced acupuncture in this state since 1980 and who has remained in good standing must obtain a license and renewal licenses without meeting the requirements of this chapter after filing: “South Carolina has come a long way in realizing the benefits of natural health and wellness,” Ponton said.

The creation of a national association for the acupuncture profession was the next logical step. According to the requirements of the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners: The State of South Carolina requires NCCAOM certification for the renewal of the acupuncture license. For NCCAOM approved courses, please visit the NCCAOM PDA or CEU course page. SCOMA membership is open to acupuncturists and traditional Chinese medicine professionals who practice or wish to practice in the state of South Carolina. SCOMA also provides support and guidance to students in acupuncture and TCM training programs, as well as acupuncture and oriental medical research. If you are interested in membership or looking for more information, you can visit SCOMA online at www.sc-oma.org. (1) An acupuncturist who is currently admitted by the Chamber to practice acupuncture in that State, who has remained in good standing and who has successfully completed a State-recognized course in clean needle technology approved by the Council, shall obtain initial admission under this section after filing the following documents: (B) The application must be complete and detailed; before it can be approved. If the administrative staff of the Board of Directors reviewed the entire application to ensure that it was complete and accurate, found the applicant to be eligible, and the applicant appeared before the Committee or a designated member of the Board, a temporary licence may be granted. At the next committee meeting, the entire application must be reviewed and, if qualified, the committee may recommend to the Board of Directors that it grant a permanent licence. If the committee refuses to recommend the issuance of a permanent licence, it may renew or withdraw the temporary licence. (2) deposit fees in accordance with section 40-47-800; Five years after the South Carolina General Assembly passed a law allowing acupuncturists to treat patients without a referral from a licensed physician, acupuncturists formed the South Carolina Oriental Medicine Association (SCOMA). (5) have pleaded not guilty or have been convicted nolo contendere of a crime or crime of moral depravity.

South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Board of Medical Examiners P.O. Box 11329 Columbia, S.C. 29211 OR Synergy Business Park Kingstree Building 110 Centerview Dr. Columbia, SC 29210 (803) 896-4300 Practice Act: The Acupuncture Act of South Carolina At least 1725 hours of study in acupuncture and oriental medicine from an ACCAOM (Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) accredited program. Other Admission Requirements: Must be NCCAOM certified. Written exam: The NCCAOM exam. Practical exam: None. Reciprocity/Approval: None. Kathy Vass is an author and publisher based in Greenville, SC.

(a) a complete application as required by the Commission;.