Licensing and Registration


fboa-licensing

The Board has made every effort to include the information you need to apply for licensure on this website. You can visit our Help CenterFAQs and Resources page for frequently asked questions, links, forms, applications and other helpful information.

Florida law provides that an initial application must be reviewed within 30 days. Listed below is the current average number of days at which staff are processing the following application.

Click on the appropriate tab below to see the Initial Licensing Requirements, Process, Fees, Statutes and Administrative Rules for an Acupuncturist.

For Licensure as an Acupuncturist, the requirements are as follows and can be found in Section 457, F.S. and Rule Chapter 64B1, F.A.C.

General Requirements

  1. Is at least 21 years of age
  2. Must submit application and fee for licensure
  3. Completion of a training program
  4. Passage of an examination offered by the NCCAOM or state examination approved by the board as substantially equivalent.
  5. Proof of English proficiency (only for applicants that have passed the national written examination in any language other than English)
  6. Proof of professional liability insurance coverage

Training Program Criteria

ENROLLED in program Prior to August 1, 1997 Completion of 2-years of study, which includes but is not limited to:

  • Western Anatomy
  • Western Physiology
  • Western Pathology
  • 60 hour injection therapy course – This course is required for initial licensure and may or may not be included in your Acupuncture transcript. If this course is not listed in your Acupuncture transcript you may log on to CE Broker at www.cebroker.com to find information on obtaining this course

APPLIED for licensure on or after August 1, 2001 Completion of an ACAOM candidate or accredited 4-year master’s level program or foreign equivalent in oriental medicine:

  • Western Anatomy
  • Western Physiology
  • Western Pathology
  • Western Biomedical Terminology
  • First Aid
  • CPR
  • 15 hours – Supervised Instruction in Universal Precautions Applicable to Needling Techniques
  • 20 hours – Florida Laws and Rules
  • 60 hour injection therapy course – This course is required for initial licensure and may or may not be included in your Acupuncture transcript. If this course is not listed in your Acupuncture transcript you may log on to CE Broker at www.cebroker.com to find information on obtaining this course

ENROLLED in Program on or after July 31, 2001 Completion of 8 hour program that incorporates the safe and beneficial use of laboratory test and imaging findings and a 60 hour injection therapy course – This course is required for initial licensure and may or may not be included in your Acupuncture transcript. If this course is not listed in your Acupuncture transcript you may log on to CE Broker at www.cebroker.com to find information on obtaining this course.

Examination Information
The Board currently approves as the Florida Examination for licensure the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) Exam, consisting of the Foundations of Oriental Medicine Module, the Acupuncture Module, the Point Location Module, the Biomedicine Module, and the Chinese Herbology Module. All applicants should contact the NCCAOM directly to take the examination.

National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
76 South Laura Street,
Suite 1290
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 598-1005
Fax: (904) 598-5001 

Applicants with Criminal History

Any applicant who has ever been found guilty of, or pled guilty or no contest/nolo contendere to any charge other than a minor traffic offense must list each offense on the application. Failure to disclose criminal history may result in denial of your application. Each application is reviewed on its own merits.

The Board of Acupuncture has created guidelines for specific offenses to be cleared in the board office; however, staff cannot make determinations in advance as laws and rules do change over time. Violent crimes and repeat offenders are required to be presented to the Board of Acupuncture for review. Evidence of rehabilitation is important to the board members when making licensure decisions.

Applicants with prior criminal convictions are required to submit the following documentation to the board:

Self-Explanation – Applicants who have listed offenses on the application must submit a letter in your own words describing the circumstances of the offense.

Final Dispositions/Arrest Records – Final disposition records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on court letterhead sent from the clerk of the court attesting to their unavailability.

Completion of Probation/Parole/Sanctions – Probation and financial sanction records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. Parole records for offenses can be obtained from the Department of Corrections or at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on court letterhead sent from the clerk of the court attesting to their unavailability.

Applicants with Disciplinary History

Applicants who have ever been denied licensure, had disciplinary action taken against their license, or have action pending against their license to practice any health care related profession by a licensing authority are required to submit the following documentation to the board:

Self-Explanation – Applicants who have listed disciplinary action on the application must submit a letter in your own words describing the circumstances of the action.

Agency Records – All relevant documentation regarding the action should be sent to the board office by the licensing agency. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on agency letterhead sent from the licensing agency attesting to their unavailability.

Applicants with Health History

If a Yes response was provided to any of the questions in this section, provide the following documents directly to the board office:

A letter from a Licensed Health Care Practitioner, who is qualified by skill and training to address the condition identified, which explains the impact the condition may have on the ability to practice the profession with reasonable skill and safety. The letter must specify that the applicant is safe to practice the profession without restrictions or specifically indicate the restrictions that are necessary. Documentation provided must be dated within one year of the application date.

A written self-explanation, identifying the medical condition(s) or occurrence(s); and current status.

Health Care Fraud; Disqualification for License, Certificate, or Registration

Effective July 1, 2012, Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes (F.S.), provides that health care boards or the department shall refuse to issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant:

  1. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under Chapter 409, F.S., (relating to social and economic assistance), Chapter 817, F.S., (relating to fraudulent practices), Chapter 893, F.S., (relating to drug abuse prevention and control) or a similar felony offense(s) in another state or jurisdiction unless the candidate or applicant has successfully completed a drug court program for that felony and provides proof that the plea has been withdrawn or the charges have been dismissed. Any such conviction or plea shall exclude the applicant or candidate from licensure, examination, certification, or registration, unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or plea ended: o For the felonies of the first or second degree, more than 15 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation; o For the felonies of the third degree, more than 10 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation; o For the felonies of the third degree under section 893.13(6)(a), F.S., more than five years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
  2. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 (relating to controlled substances) or 42 U.S.C. ss. 1395-1396 (relating to public health, welfare, Medicare and Medicaid issues), unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the date of the application;
  3. Has been terminated for cause from the Florida Medicaid program pursuant to section 409.913, F.S., unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with the Florida Medicaid program for the most recent five years;
  4. Has been terminated for cause, pursuant to the appeals procedures established by the state or Federal Government, from any other state Medicaid program, unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with a state Medicaid program for the most recent five years and the termination occurred at least 20 years before the date of the application;
  5. Is currently listed on the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s List of Excluded Individuals and Entities. The section above does not apply to candidates or applicants for initial licensure or certification who were enrolled in an educational or training program on or before July 1, 2009, which was recognized by a board or, if there is no board, recognized by the department, and who applied for licensure after July 1, 2012.

Out-of-State Telehealth Provider Registration

Requirements

The out-of-state telehealth provider registration is for health care practitioners licensed outside of Florida ONLY. Florida licensees can already provide telehealth services to patients in Florida that they can treat in person.

Health care practitioners with an out-of-state license or certification that falls under section 456.47(1)(b), F.S, qualify for an out-of-state telehealth provider registration number when they meet the following requirements:

  • Submit the completed Application for Out-of-State Telehealth Provider Registration;
  • Maintain an active, unencumbered license from another state, the District of Columbia, or a possession or territory of the United States (license verification is required);
  • Not have a pending investigation, discipline, or revocation on your license within the last five years;
  • Designate a duly appointed registered agent for service of process in Florida (see Application for Out-of-State Telehealth Provider Registration)
  • Maintain liability coverage or financial responsibility for telehealth services provided to patients in Florida in an amount equal to or greater than Florida health care practitioner requirements
  • Not open a Florida office or provide in-person health care services to Florida patients
  • Only use a Florida-licensed pharmacy, registered nonresident pharmacy, or outsourcing facility to dispense medicinal drugs to patients in Florida (pharmacists only)

Application

Please visit https://www.flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/ for the application.

Tips for Expediting the Licensure Process

  • Please read all application instructions, and the laws and rules governing the practice of Acupuncture, before completing your application. Errors and omissions on the application increase processing time.
  • Within 30 days of receipt of the application, you will be sent a written application status notice or your eligibility letter, as applicable.
  • No application is complete until all required documentation and fees are received.
  • Applications are reviewed and processed in the order in which they are received in the board office.
  • All transcripts must be the final official school copy and submitted directly from the school (school seal must be embossed on the transcript).
  • Address all correspondence to the attention of the Board of Acupuncture and include your name.
  • Send a copy of the CCAOM CNT course completion certificate OR the school can place the 15 hours on the transcript or complete the form attached to the application.
  • Remember to have your insurance company send proof of insurance or proof of exemption.
  • Request the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) to send a copy of your Certified Diplomat Status form to the Board of Acupuncture. You may send a request to the NCCAOM at the address listed above.
  • 60 hour injection therapy course – This course is required for initial licensure and may or may not be included in your Acupuncture transcript. If this course is not listed in your Acupuncture transcript you may log on to CE Broker at www.cebroker.com to find information on obtaining this course.

Fees and application with corresponding documentation must be mailed to:

Department of Health-MQA
Board of Acupuncture
P.O. Box 6330
Tallahassee, FL 32314-6330

Supporting correspondence not associated with any fees must be mailed to:

Department of Health-MQA
Board of Acupuncture
4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin C-06
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3256

The total fees required to receive your Florida Acupuncturist license are composed of three separate parts:

  • Application Fee – same for everyone regardless of when the application is submitted or the license is issued
  • Initial Licensure Fee – effective April 6, 2014, this fee is no longer prorated based on the date your initial license is issued
  • Unlicensed Activity Fee – this goes towards helping to protect the citizens of our state from the unlicensed activity of healthcare professions
Initial Application Fees*:$200.00 (non-refundable)
Initial Licensure Fee:$200.00
Unlicensed Activity Fee:$5.00
Total Fees:$405.00

*All licenses expire on February 28th, every even numbered year. Checks, certified checks, or money orders should be made payable to the “Department of Health.”

Applicants and licensees are responsible for the fees outlined in applicable board or department rule at the time an application is received. If you have questions, please contact us for more information.

Click on Chapter or Section Number to View

Florida Statutes

Chapter 457: Acupuncture
Chapter 456: Health Professions and Occupations: General Provisions
Chapter 120: Administrative Procedure Act

Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.)

Rules: Chapter 64B1: Board of Acupuncture, Florida Administrative Code
Rules: Chapter 64B: Division of Medical Quality Assurance, Florida Administrative Code