[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6191523,"mediaKeyId","4697536-fedaffff37c938b281bb0015e3ff00e1","parentId",4697536,"title","California acupuncturists, schools press board to raise entry degree and adopt doctor title","audioSeconds",609,"startMs",7467000,"endMs",8076000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4697536-fedaffff37c938b281bb0015e3ff00e1&start=7467&end=8076","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4697536-fedaffff37c938b281bb0015e3ff00e1/thumbnail_7467000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6191523/California/California-acupuncturists-schools-press-board-to-raise-entry-degree-and-adopt-doctor-title","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191523-59be0d38ffd0fbb0fd058e8456805678/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144035&Signature=YVV6TlxvJLBiCJLao0DHlzKFC9Nlp6Qa1Xq-FWKYYlJR5kqO0Wyo57H7B0DafCXjgQyu8O-SWp3c5HtLmvZ2syjvaw90pAwBC9iWxNrh~KX04N8WrRcTcZpD4K1i9yYj396Eb9lQ~oOBovHnwR9DRWK5YDwyAAWuKR8TbQ5aN0eIBd7sQI4-z8MjPn5jpHtt4MMFsKHJlPd4QHUzEqp13kXHSILyc7U6fZ~GtHFgEMP~FqOUmf2IgN3nDEIdm~FkEf6rnlyjcS1iujegwBk8sS9RSY-wD85As6aJA6ldC2OR9fqCtXrhcSpV15M0bdVTEShaJkPt9W7MbvwKX2B7Hw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","California Acupuncture Board","date","2025-06-18T19:18:11Z","article","Members of the public, school presidents and professional associations urged the California Acupuncture Board Licensing Committee on June during public comment to raise the entry-level credential for acupuncturists to a doctoral degree and to adopt a clearer professional title.

Supporters said a doctorate would bring the profession into alignment with other health professions and improve public confidence. Philip Young, president of California University of Silicon Valley, said the doctorate would “raise our whole profession” and allow graduates to offer more advanced services such as neuroscience-informed care for conditions including migraines and Parkinson’s disease.

“Once our profession reach to that doctor level, everyone's a doctor, so they cannot have different, different divisions to see our profession,” Young said.

Several association leaders and school presidents made similar points. Lynn Yang, speaking for the American Association of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (AACMA), said raising the entry standard to a doctorate is necessary “to uplift the profession, improve the level of education and the skills level, and also improve the perception of the public.”

Practitioners and school leaders also debated a single licensure or degree title. Dr. Neil Miller of CalAtma argued for a concise abbreviation that communicates the professional level and scope. “The fastest growing area of higher education is doctorates in health professions,” he said, adding that clarity will aid collaboration with other health-care providers.

Some speakers proposed titles that include herbs and the full Chinese-medicine scope. Robert Hoffman, a university president and association board member, and others suggested titles that reflect both acupuncture and herbal medicine, such as a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine; others favored \"Doctor of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine.\" Lynn Yang warned that a generic label such as “traditional medicine” could confuse patients because it groups distinct systems such as Ayurveda and Tibetan medicine.

Board staff cautioned that changing degree or licensure titles would require a formal regulatory and legislative process and that California must account for education- and market-level effects. Executive Officer Ben Bodea reminded the committee that statute currently sets the practice title as licensed acupuncturist; any change to licensure language or the creation of a statutory title would likely require legislative action and an economic impact analysis.

Legal counsel noted that different states and accreditation bodies already use a variety of degree names and that any board-level action would need coordinated input from schools, accreditors and the profession. Several public commenters urged the board and professional groups to gather a consensus proposal before seeking statutory change.

The committee did not take formal action on degree requirements or titles at the meeting. Committee members encouraged stakeholders to organize a unified proposal for the board and, if warranted, for the Legislature.

Looking ahead, speakers suggested the board could consider a phased approach that included: (1) a clearly named, entry-level first professional doctorate adopted by accredited California programs; (2) a public grandfathering or transitional pathway for long-practicing licensees; and (3) coordinated outreach to the Legislature and accrediting bodies. The committee said it will report the discussion to the full board for further work.

The conversation reflected two central tensions: raising educational standards to improve perceived professionalism and patient safety, while avoiding unintended consequences for schools, student access and workforce supply.

Committee members asked staff and stakeholders to return with more concrete proposals, including suggested degree titles and proposals for transitional arrangements for existing licensees.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Acupuncture Licensing Committee Meeting - June 12, 2025 1 of 2","oneSentenceSummary","Members of the public, school presidents and professional associations urged the California Acupuncture Board Licensing Committee on June during public comment to raise the entry-level credential for acupuncturists to a doctoral degree and to adopt a clearer professional title.","taxTitle","California Acupuncture Board, Other State Agencies, Executive, California","taxId",15958,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6191508,"Licensing committee approves March minutes with correction; committee not at full quorum",262,2990000,3252000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4697536-fedaffff37c938b281bb0015e3ff00e1&start=2990&end=3252","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4697536-fedaffff37c938b281bb0015e3ff00e1/thumbnail_2990000.jpg","/articles/6191508/California/Licensing-committee-approves-March-minutes-with-correction-committee-not-at-full-quorum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191508-e81629d9db5e9bcecd3109f8865df5ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144035&Signature=ouucEkQJquCgh6u4lPTxUMWEpsDLkSKgy7xcINdcnMm6ttkO0YLJ~fJbIonVulxdio4OBLY-ymmiZoZLkLlaJyxu1M56FxNzs4W9sor8n94Us9Q-EblGW5mW8KLoUQXb7oTtJpUm~lByFHE7f5f-jA~CYXC~0V6~N7idN~0rw8TkZTRMwp-zVzfgr4r-zmlz~DJ6qrSCAUJarrhg9VFHGmMqIbCoTPIPHhd3~Hb~pforlMAHmBrka6rZigOs~fBZXQKrzXaBDRJpDCM829XCzX9snWKawgBLaA7QjHNVjDknxotVB4JiPcRydSB5WzEsI5OLjbxvAX52EZeq23ubZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The California Acupuncture Board Licensing Committee moved to approve the minutes from its March 7, 2025 meeting, with one correction: the transcript had said “President Chen adjourned,” but the committee corrected the record to state that it was Chairman Matecki who adjourned.

A motion to approve the minutes as corrected was made and seconded; the committee then took a roll-call vote. Chair Matecki voted yes; Member Leon seconded and voted yes. The motion passed. Committee staff noted the committee was not at full board quorum for that action and that the minutes would be forwarded to the full board.

No other minutes-related changes were made at the meeting.","The California Acupuncture Board Licensing Committee approved the March 7, 2025 meeting minutes with a correction to the recorded adjournment. The committee recorded a roll-call vote and noted it was not at full board quorum.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6191513,"Practitioners urge board to issue consumer advisory and outreach on unlicensed dry needling",0,1142000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4697536-fedaffff37c938b281bb0015e3ff00e1&start=1142&end=1142","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4697536-fedaffff37c938b281bb0015e3ff00e1/thumbnail_1142000.jpg","/articles/6191513/California/Practitioners-urge-board-to-issue-consumer-advisory-and-outreach-on-unlicensed-dry-needling","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191513-ba28c22d5c0be7af7310f83cceea88eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144035&Signature=mWrMoKAuaZBoFYawoTofpHRLP~-tf1WFsnmTUgGz3KNNiISk5GCoMBFBVGZuJoNX8k1LgtLcNL986CusCEcQrdN1WFmy2ZRZ4O4nOYNDL223QU2ysNfiJBnBU0rblO8YQ5SUG2d~Cd0KpoBALpjrRuuEPxiuHjvZff3nvlq4HijOz1R9SAtFqF~iUd6hfgqzzKi0S-sxD7mPMsfDIKyeOns3oUdkGJj75En2b2bgD3seQFStJhj1fDUMGpXMcFx3JMO99fbCo4lfbT2tYgsF9-s0XXXM7zf~lm1ommrlPhqCiUf9Fm8oQGm6T-s1AUY56nzb2aO1CXi2jryyL5AAOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple public commenters urged the California Acupuncture Board Licensing Committee to take preventative measures against unlicensed dry needling and to increase public awareness about who is legally permitted to perform needling therapies.

Ryan McCarthy, representing the California Acupuncture Coalition, described reports of athletes receiving dry needling from physical therapists who are “unlicensed to practice acupuncture,” and urged the board to issue a consumer advisory and to add dry needling guidance to the board’s brochure. “We would strongly encourage the board to adopt… a consumer advisory warning against unlicensed dry needling on the CAB website and through the Department of Consumer Affairs,” McCarthy said.

Lynn Yang (speaking for AACMA) urged regulatory safeguards rather than total bans for techniques such as therapeutic bleeding and acupotomy, recommending mandatory didactic and clinical training for higher‑risk manual or tool-based therapies. “A complete ban on these techniques would not serve the public interest,” she said, and proposed mandatory training requirements for acupotomy to protect patients.

Several commenters and board members also argued that many recognized needling techniques—often labeled \"dry needling,\" \"trigger point needling\" or other names—fall within the statutory definition of acupuncture when they penetrate the skin. Philip Young, a university president, said dry needling “is essentially the same” as acupuncture and argued for unifying needling techniques under the acupuncture scope so the public is less likely to be confused by differing names and training standards.

Board staff and counsel noted that the board’s enforcement options are complaint-driven, and that outreach and consumer education are within the board’s ability. Staff encouraged associations to coordinate outreach to athletics programs and other organizations where unlicensed needling has been reported.

The committee did not vote on rulemaking related to dry needling but accepted public comment and asked staff to document stakeholder requests for possible follow-up actions, including consumer advisories, outreach and brochure updates.","The California Acupuncture Board Licensing Committee heard public calls for a consumer advisory about unlicensed dry needling, outreach to athletic programs and inclusion of dry needling in a consumer brochure to prevent injuries and protect patients.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6191518,"Board committee hears calls to update clean needle technique, single‑use rules and training",1608,4352000,5960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4697536-fedaffff37c938b281bb0015e3ff00e1&start=4352&end=5960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4697536-fedaffff37c938b281bb0015e3ff00e1/thumbnail_4352000.jpg","/articles/6191518/California/Board-committee-hears-calls-to-update-clean-needle-technique-singleuse-rules-and-training","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191518-68c200e623ae0375e62bc9c1588850c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144035&Signature=XMZngs-DFOqV4lQVbHGilMI~2wgwtUPcoEFcNW4~a6LDQdNZFo2FUi7YyStMayNDasQZHH1AIfPhyNONUP4Gn9sqdm50pPARrlZA9J1xzVDFAguKhSSg4XmZOtSmp~Q0CYf7oowpRY1Kuh6CZ3m-ejeIoAB7HrtcbnQFUKZE3gXDneIOAFiGJvBXC0xrsntW6hgIKk0t6FcT6s72tdiUGXu3310nLbVEgNsq7iXuJ1ROLkwSnZoT8xA3M8IhqQGynLEy0gRYwc0yNyVGPzogRErwy7AbBrDJpPsFZT-ZdH1HkZjSloBwaq0~4mFu3OPQEV8Lhm7yyY~HcCb341h0Dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The California Acupuncture Board Licensing Committee spent substantial public-comment time on the clean needle technique (CNT), with speakers urging clearer training, regular renewal requirements and stronger enforcement for clinic hygiene.

Legal counsel read state regulation language during the meeting: “An acupuncturist shall use needles labeled for single use only that meet the requirements of the federal regulations 21 CFR part 880.558,” and added that “it shall constitute unprofessional conduct for an acupuncturist to use a needle more than once.”

Several public commenters described observed lapses in clinic hygiene and inconsistent CNT practice in school clinics. Dita Garabaghi told the committee, “I have seen clinics where handwashing is not done before or after patients or in between patients… Alcohol is not being appropriately used… I would like the board to be informed of that and I would like that to be addressed to protect the public.”

Other speakers asked the board to require periodic CNT refreshers. Ron Zaidman and several acupuncturists said many practitioners trained decades ago never renewed CNT training and that updated safety protocols are important. One commenter recommended a recurring CE requirement—every three to eight years—to ensure clinicians follow the most recent infection-control practices.

Public commenter Farshid Namin, who teaches CNT, told the committee the Council of Colleges’ CNT manual was “outdated” in several references, and urged California schools, associations and the board to collaborate on an updated, California‑specific training.

Board staff and members clarified current pathways for meeting CNT requirements: schools may certify graduates as having completed CNT instruction if the school uses the referenced CNT text in its curriculum; private continuing-education courses remain an alternative pathway. Member Gregory Liang and others emphasized hospital practice standards that favor single-use needles and strict disposal and handling procedures.

Staff noted the board no longer has routine site-visit authority over school clinics and said the board’s ability to act on clinic hygiene typically begins with a consumer complaint. Executive Officer Ben Bodea and legal counsel described the complaint process and encouraged submission of documented complaints so the board can investigate. Legal counsel explained anonymous tips are more difficult to act upon without corroborating evidence, though complaints can be submitted anonymously and will be evaluated for sufficiency.

Committee members asked staff to continue documenting stakeholder concerns and suggested working with accreditors and schools on joint solutions. The committee did not adopt any new regulation at the meeting but signaled interest in returning to CNT as a follow-up item, with possible regulatory or educational proposals to consider.","Public commenters urged the California Acupuncture Board Licensing Committee to require periodic refreshers, to update the Council of Colleges clean-needle manual and to enforce single-use needle rules after multiple complaints about clinic hygiene and inconsistent school clinic practices.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

California acupuncturists, schools press board to raise entry degree and adopt doctor title

Licensing committee approves March minutes with correction; committee not at full quorum

Practitioners urge board to issue consumer advisory and outreach on unlicensed dry needling

Board committee hears calls to update clean needle technique, single‑use rules and training