AB 808, as amended, Fong. Acupuncture: license requirements.
Existing law, the Acupuncture Licensure Act, provides for an Acupuncture Board within the Department of Consumer Affairs to license and regulate the practice of acupuncture. Existing law requires the board to issue a license to practice acupuncture to a person who files an application, pays a fee, and meets specified criteria, including taking a written examination and completing a clinical internship program.
This bill would require an applicant for a license to practice acupuncture to also pass a practical examination administered by the boardbegin insert on and after January 1, 2016end insert.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
Section 4938 of the Business and Professions
2Code is amended to read:
The board shall issue a license to practice acupuncture
2to any person who makes an application and meets the following
3requirements:
4(a) Is at least 18 years of age.
5(b) Furnishes satisfactory evidence of completion of one of the
6following:
7(1) An educational and training program approved by the board
8pursuant to Section 4939.
9(2) Satisfactory completion of a tutorial program in the practice
10of an acupuncturist which is approved by the board.
11(3) In the case of an
applicant who has completed education
12and training outside the United States and Canada, documented
13educational training and clinical experience which meets the
14standards established pursuant to Sections 4939 and 4941.
15(c) Passes a written examination andbegin insert, on and after January 1,
162016,end insert a practical examination administered by the board that tests
17the applicant’s ability, competency, and knowledge in the practice
18of an acupuncturist. The written and practical examinations shall
19be developed by the Office of Professional Examination Services
20of the Department of Consumer Affairs.
21(d) Is not subject to denial pursuant to Division 1.5 (commencing
22with Section 475).
23(e) Completes a clinical internship training program approved
24by the board. The clinical internship training program shall not
25exceed nine months in duration and shall be located in a clinic in
26this state, which is approved by the board pursuant to Section 4939.
27The length of the clinical internship shall depend upon the grades
28received in the examination and the clinical training already
29satisfactorily completed by the individual prior to taking the
30examination. On and after January 1, 1987, individuals with 800
31or more hours of documented clinical training shall be deemed to
32have met this requirement. The purpose of the clinical internship
33training program shall be to ensure a minimum level of clinical
34competence.
35Each applicant who qualifies for a license shall pay, as a
36condition
precedent to its issuance and in addition to other fees
37required, the initial licensure fee.
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