In Pennsylvania, acupuncturists must be licensed by the State Board of Medicine (or the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine), and practicing acupuncture without a license is unlawful under the Acupuncture Licensure Act. You can check any practitioner’s license in about two minutes in the state’s online database, PALS, which also shows disciplinary actions. Below: what the license requires, how to look one up, and two rules every patient should know.
What a Pennsylvania acupuncture license requires
According to the Pennsylvania Department of State, a licensed acupuncturist must have:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | A master’s-level acupuncture program meeting standards of a U.S. Department of Education–recognized accrediting agency, including needle sterilization |
| Examination | Pass the NCCAOM acupuncture exam component, or hold NCCAOM certification |
| Clean needle training | Completion of the Clean Needle Technique course, verified by NCCAOM |
| English proficiency | One of several approved options |
| Continuing education | 30 hours every two years, including 2 hours on child abuse recognition and reporting |
| Insurance | At least $1,000,000 in professional liability coverage |
Acupuncturist vs. Practitioner of Oriental Medicine
Pennsylvania has a second, additional license: the Practitioner of Oriental Medicine, an acupuncturist who is also licensed to use herbal therapy (East Asian herbology). It requires herbology training in the master’s program and NCCAOM certification in Chinese herbology or Oriental medicine. If a provider recommends herbs, it is reasonable to ask which license they hold.
How to verify a license in PALS
- Go to pals.pa.gov (the Pennsylvania Licensing System).
- Search for the practitioner by name or license number.
- Check that the license status is active.
- Look for any disciplinary actions listed by the board.
The Department of State also publishes a list of professional licensing disciplinary actions.
The 60-day rule: when you need a diagnosis
Under Section 3.1 of the Acupuncture Licensure Act, an acupuncturist may treat you for a limited time without a diagnosis. Treatment beyond 60 calendar days from your first visit requires a diagnosis from a licensed physician, dentist or podiatrist. This limit does not apply if you come in without symptoms of a condition (for example, for general wellness).
Practically, if you are seeking acupuncture for an ongoing problem, it helps to bring any existing diagnosis from your doctor to your first visit.
Other things to ask a new clinic
- Are single-use, sterile needles used for every treatment?
- How long is a typical visit, and what does the first visit include?
- How are fees and receipts handled (useful for HSA/FSA reimbursement — see Can You Use Your HSA or FSA for Acupuncture?)?
The bottom line
Before you book, take two minutes to verify the license in PALS. Our practitioner, Dr. Xiaoming Matz, L.Ac., practices in Wexford — learn more about Dr. Matz or contact the clinic.
This article is general information about Pennsylvania licensing rules, not legal or medical advice. Laws and board requirements can change; confirm with the Pennsylvania Department of State.