It is essential to understand your state regulations for Medical Acupuncture training hours. The majority of states do not specify an exact number of training hours, yet some states specifically require a minimum of 200 or 300 training hours. Ensure you are completing at least the minimum requirement that your state Medical Board or Acupuncture Board requires.

In addition to verifying your state practice regulations, you should also understand your practice facility’s requirements. Connect with your credentialing department to verify if additional training hours may be required above the state requirements.

The graphic below provides HMI’s best understanding of the current requirements for MD/DOs to practice Medical Acupuncture in each state. For additional information from our partners at the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, please see: https://medicalacupuncture.org/for-physicians/acupuncture-requirements-by-state/.

You should independently verify with your state Medical Board / Acupuncture Board what the current regulations are in the state that you practice. When looking at the Acupuncture Board information, ensure to look for regulations for physicians practicing under your medical license, not the requirements for non-medical professionals.

The 300-hour course is composed of three live course modules. In between these modules, there are video/reading assignments, along with two series of small group Zoom meetings.

The 200-hour course is composed of only the first two live course modules. Video and reading assignments will occur between these two modules, along with one series of small group Zoom meetings.

The curriculum at the first live course module is identical for the two pathways, and all course participants will progress through the first module together. At the second module, the pathways will diverge on designated days.

Specifically, at the second module, the 300-hour participants will learn a greater number of acupuncture points and how to put together creative energetic treatments based on the patient’s history and symptoms. In contrast, the 220-hour participants will focus more on standardized protocol-based treatments with a fewer number of points involved, leaving additional time at the second module for patient cases and course conclusion activities.

Only the 300-hour participants will be exposed to the Module Three activities. Importantly, this third module also provides additional time for supervised clinical practice with preceptors and networking with peers.

The national membership organization for Medical Acupuncturists is the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (https://medicalacupuncture.org). Full membership can be granted to MD/DOs who have completed 220 hours of formal education, therefore either pathway will allow for Academy membership.

Though optional, if you have interest in sitting for the Medical Acupuncture Board Examination (https://www.dabma.org), the prerequisite is 300-hours of formal education.

Situations may arise where an attendee enrolls in one pathway but decides part-way through the course that the other pathway is a better fit. This change can be made seamlessly at any point up through the end of the first day of the live Module 2 course.

• If you originally matriculate in the 220-hour pathway and wish to change to the 300-hour pathway, additional tuition fees will be due to cover the difference between the 220-hour and 300-hour course tuitions, but no additional penalties/fees will be applied.
• If you originally matriculate in the 300-hour pathway and wish to change to the 220-hour pathway, this change can be made but no tuition refund will be granted.

If a 220-hour graduate decides within 2 years of graduation that they would like to complete the remainder of the program, they can attend the third live module plus additional virtual coursework to obtain an additional 80 hours of training. Tuition fees will be due equal to the difference between the 220-hour course tuition and the current 300-hour course tuition, plus an administrative fee of $3000. If more than 2 years has passed since graduation, you may be required to enroll in additional modules.