Becoming an Acupuncturist in the UK, US & Australia

Choose a BAcC-accredited degree

Complete a BSc or MSc in Acupuncture (typically 3–4 years) that meets the British Acupuncture Accreditation Board (BAAB) standards.

Complete supervised clinical hours

Accredited courses include 400+ supervised clinical hours, covering diagnosis, point location, needling, safety and case management.

Add a short medical acupuncture course

Doctors, dentists and physios take a BMAS or AACP foundation course (typically 4–8 days) on top of their existing regulated qualification — no separate degree needed.

Join a professional register

Apply to the British Acupuncture Council (MBAcC) for traditional acupuncture, or to ATCM/RCHM for TCM and Chinese herbal medicine.

Meet local authority licensing

Register your practice premises with your local council under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act — separate from professional registration.

Maintain CPD and insurance

Complete annual CPD (usually 30 hours) and hold professional indemnity insurance to stay on the register.

Complete an ACAHM-accredited program

Enrol in a Master's (MSAc, MSTOM, MAcCHM) or professional Doctorate (DACM, DAcCHM, DAOM). Programs run 3–4 years and require prior undergraduate study.

Log supervised clinical training

Accredited programs include 660+ hours of supervised clinical practice, covering diagnosis, needling, herbs and biomedical case management.

Physician medical acupuncture route

MDs and DOs can complete a 300-hour AAMA-recognised medical acupuncture course (e.g. Helms Medical Institute) instead of a full TCM degree.

Physical therapist dry needling route

PTs pursue dry needling certification through APTA-recognised providers where their state practice act allows it — scope varies by state.

Pass the NCCAOM board exams

Sit the NCCAOM modules — Foundations of Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture with Point Location, Biomedicine, and Chinese Herbology for the herbal credential.

Apply for state licensure

Most states (LAc, RAc, DiplAc titles vary) require NCCAOM certification plus state-specific jurisprudence and Clean Needle Technique (CNT).

Maintain PDA credits and licensure

NCCAOM diplomates need 60 Professional Development Activity points per 4-year cycle. Most states require annual CEUs and malpractice insurance.

Complete a CMBA-approved degree

Enrol in a 4-year Bachelor of Health Science in Chinese Medicine or Acupuncture from a CMBA-approved provider. Herbal medicine registration requires the extended Chinese herbal medicine stream.

Log supervised clinical training

Accredited degrees include 500+ supervised clinical hours covering diagnosis, needling safety, herbs and patient management.

Medical doctor route

Registered MDs can complete AMAC's Graduate Certificate in Medical Acupuncture — no separate Chinese medicine registration needed if scope stays within medical practice.

Physiotherapist dry needling route

Registered physios add APA-endorsed dry needling training within their existing physiotherapy scope of practice — no CMBA registration required.

Apply for AHPRA registration

Register with the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia via AHPRA. Divisions: Acupuncturist, Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner, and Chinese Herbal Dispenser. Includes English language, criminal history and identity checks.

Meet annual CPD and insurance

Complete 20 hours of CPD per year and hold professional indemnity insurance that meets the CMBA registration standard.