Formed in 1981 as the unifying force for the acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM) profession in the U.S., the AAAOM is dedicated to promoting ethical practice and high educational and regulatory standards for the licensure of American acupuncturists. The AAAOM members include individual practitioners, their small businesses, physicians, healthcare professionals, patients, and state professional associations. The AAAOM recognizes an emerging national standard for programmatic accreditation and licensure qualifying examination for states regulating acupuncture and Oriental medicine.

Stated below is the AAAOM’s position on the issue of nationally recognized standards as related to the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) and the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM®).

Nationally Recognized Accreditor for AOM Educational Programs

The AAAOM joins the U.S. Department of Education in recognizing ACAOM as the accreditor for AOM educational programs in the U.S. and endorses their academic standards and professional competencies set for the education of acupuncturists. Over sixty institutions throughout the country have achieved the standards of educational excellence by meeting ACAOM’s accreditation requirements. All ACAOM accredited institutions and programs are shaped by a rigorous peer review accreditation process. In this regard, the AAAOM endorses ACAOM’s standards and policies.

Nationally Recognized Examination for the Certification of Competencies

The AAAOM supports the NCCAOM’s nationally recognized examinations, which are accredited by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE)’s National Commission on Certifying Agencies (NCCA) as the measure of competence for licensure of acupuncturists in the U.S. The NCCAOM’s national certification standards were established to protect the public from unsafe practitioners and, as a result, the organization must develop and administer reliable, valid, and legally defensible national examinations. Since 1984, NCCAOM has documented the educational eligibility of candidates and has continued to develop and administer national examinations. NCCAOM Diplomates have passed the examinations and have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for safe and effective practice.