Certification Handbook 2021
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NATIONAL CERTIFICATION COMMISSION FOR ACUPUNCTURE AND ORIENTAL MEDICINE Certification Handbook National Standards of Competence in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine 2021 2001 K Street NW, 3rd Floor North Washington, DC 20006 (888) 381-1140 www.nccaom.org ® NCCAOM Certification Handbook Contents NCCAOM Diversity Equity and Inclusion Statement .......................................................... 4 ® About the NCCAOM ..................................................................................................... 5 ® Benefits of NCCAOM Certification .................................................................................. 6 Code of Ethics ............................................................................................................... 7 NCCAOM Grounds for Professional Discipline .................................................................. 8 What’s New in 2021? ..................................................................................................... 9 NCCAOM Certification Programs .................................................................................. 11 Eligibility to Sit for Examinations vs. NCCAOM Certification Requirements ....................... 11 Steps to NCCAOM Certification .................................................................................... 13 ® Guide to NCCAOM Certification .................................................................................. 14 Certification Routes ...................................................................................................... 15 Route One: Formal Education: United States Applicants .................................................. 16 Route Two: Formal Education: International Applicants .................................................. 17 Route Three: Apprenticeship ........................................................................................ 19 Route Four: Combination of Formal Education and Apprenticeship ................................. 24 Route Five: Converting to an NCCAOM Oriental Medicine Certification ............................ 25 Route Eight: NCCAOM Certification for California Licensed Acupuncturists ...................... 25 Clean Needle Technique Requirement .......................................................................... 25 NCCAOM Request for Information and Appeal Process ................................................... 26 NCCAOM Application for Certification ........................................................................... 27 How to Create Your NCCAOM Account ......................................................................... 27 Online Application ...................................................................................................... 28 Tracking Your Certification Application.......................................................................... 28 Document Guidelines .................................................................................................. 29 Accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) .................................. 30 Agent Designation Form .............................................................................................. 32 Veterans Reimbursement ............................................................................................. 32 Name Change ............................................................................................................. 32 Changing an NCCAOM Certification Program ................................................................ 33 NCCAOM Certification and Examination Fee Schedule.................................................... 34 ® © 2021 by the NCCAOM . All rights reserved. 2 Back to top NCCAOM® Certification Handbook - June 2021 NCCAOM Examinations ................................................................................................ 35 NCCAOM Examination Preparation and Resources ......................................................... 35 NCCAOM Examination Format ..................................................................................... 36 NCCAOM Examination Policies ..................................................................................... 37 Scheduling an NCCAOM Examination ........................................................................... 41 Examination Day – Be Prepared! .................................................................................... 42 Inclement Weather, Power Failure or Emergency............................................................ 42 Examination Results Notification ................................................................................... 44 Retaking an Examination .............................................................................................. 45 NCCAOM Certified, Active Diplomate Status! ................................................................. 45 NCCAOM Diplomate Benefits ....................................................................................... 46 Maintaining NCCAOM Certification .............................................................................. 47 NCCAOM Certification vs. State Licensure ..................................................................... 47 Examination Results and Certification Verification to State Acupuncture Board ................. 47 ® © 2021 by the NCCAOM . All rights reserved. 3 Back to top NCCAOM® Certification Handbook - June 2021 NCCAOM® Mission To assure the safety and well-being of the public and to advance the professional practice of acupuncture and Oriental medicine by establishing and promoting national, evidence-based standards of competence and credentialing. NCCAOM® Vision Acupuncture and Oriental medicine provided by NCCAOM credentialed practitioners will be integral to healthcare and accessible to all members of the public. NCCAOM Diversity Equity and Inclusion Statement The NCCAOM actively promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strive to embed these principles in all we do, creating an environment where all can thrive. We believe that... Diversity is the representation of many different demographic backgrounds, identities (both innate and selected), and the collective strengths of their experiences, beliefs, values, skills, and perspectives. An Equitable environment recognizes and eliminates barriers to full participation at individual and systemic levels, challenges intentional and unintentional forms of bias, harassment, and discrimination. Inclusion is the act of establishing philosophies, policies, practices, and procedures so that organizations and individuals contributing to the association's success have fair, equal, and unbiased access to opportunities, information, and resources. We commit to fostering a culture where every member of the NCCAOM community feels valued, supported, and inspired to achieve individual and common goals and who are comfortable contributing their unique wisdom, perspectives, and experiences. Non-Discrimination Policy The NCCAOM does not discriminate based on race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, political or religious beliefs, handicap, marital status, national origin, or ancestry. ® © 2021 by the NCCAOM . All rights reserved. 4 Back to top NCCAOM® Certification Handbook - June 2021 ® About the NCCAOM Founded in 1982 as a non-profit certification organization, the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM®) is widely accepted as the most influential leader in the field of certification for acupuncture and Oriental medicine. There are currently over 19,500 active NCCAOM Diplomates (NCCAOM certificate holders) practicing with a current NCCAOM certification. The NCCAOM is responsible for the development and administration of the Acupuncture, Chinese Herbology, and Oriental Medicine Certification Programs. The NCCAOM evaluates and attests to the competency of its National Board-Certified AcupuncturistsTM through rigorous eligibility standards and demonstration and assessment of the core knowledge, skills and abilities expected for an entry level practitioner of acupuncture and Oriental medicine. The NCCAOM Acupuncture, Chinese Herbology and Oriental Medicine certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and carry the NCCA seal. For the NCCAOM certification programs in Acupuncture, Chinese Herbology, and Oriental Medicine to remain accredited by the NCCA, the NCCAOM must adhere to strict national accreditation standards for administration of the certification programs and examination development. All Diplomate level certification examinations must meet content validity standards set forth by NCCA. As a requirement of accreditation for the NCCAOM certification programs, the NCCAOM must submit annual reports to the NCCA, and the certification programs must undergo a full NCCA reaccreditation every five years (last completed in 2017). Additional information is available at the Institute for Credentialing Excellence’s website at www.credentialingexcellence.org. All practitioners certified by the NCCAOM are committed to responsible and ethical practice, to the growth of the profession within the broad spectrum of American healthcare, and to their own professional growth. All Diplomates, applicants and candidates for certification are bound by the NCCAOM® Code of Ethics and the NCCAOM® Grounds for Professional Discipline. © 2021 by the NCCAOM®. All rights reserved. 5 Back to top NCCAOM® Certification