ARTICLE 1. Administration and General Provisions [4925. - 4934.2.]

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC 1.
in effect

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4925. Section 4925.

(a) This chapter constitutes the chapter on acupuncture of the Business and Professions Code. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Acupuncture Licensure Act. Whenever a reference is made to the Acupuncture Licensure Act by the provisions of any statute, it is to be construed as referring to the provisions of this chapter. (b) Any reference in this chapter, or to the regulations pertaining thereto, to “certificate” or “certification” shall hereafter mean “license” or “licensure.” Any reference to the term “certifying” means “licensing,” and the term “certificate holder” means “licensee.” Any reference to the “Acupuncture Committee” or “committee” means the “Acupuncture Board” or “board.”

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4926. Section 4926.

In its concern with the need to eliminate the fundamental causes of illness, not simply to remove symptoms, and with the need to treat the whole person, the Legislature intends to establish in this article, a framework for the practice of the art and science of Asian medicine through acupuncture. The purpose of this article is to encourage the more effective utilization of the skills of acupuncturists by California citizens desiring a holistic approach to health and to remove the existing legal constraints which are an unnecessary hindrance to the more effective provision of health care services. Also, as it effects the public health, safety, and welfare, there is a necessity that individuals practicing acupuncture be subject to regulation and control as a primary health care profession.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4927. Section 4927.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) “Board” means the Acupuncture Board. (b) “Person” means any individual, organization, or corporate body, except that only individuals may be licensed under this chapter. (c) “Acupuncturist” means an individual to whom a license has been issued to practice acupuncture pursuant to this chapter, which is in effect and is not suspended or revoked. (d) “Acupuncture” means the stimulation of a certain point or points on or near the surface of the body by the insertion of needles to prevent or modify the perception of pain or to normalize physiological functions, including pain control for the treatment of certain diseases or dysfunctions of the body, and includes the techniques of electroacupuncture, cupping, and moxibustion. (e) “Supervising acupuncturist” means a person who meets the following conditions: (1) Is licensed to practice acupuncture in this state and that license is current, valid, and has not been suspended or revoked or otherwise subject to formal disciplinary action, unless approved by the board. (2) Has practiced as a licensed acupuncturist in this state for at least five years. (3) Is in compliance with subdivision (j) of Section 4955. (f) (1) “Acupuncture assistant” means a person who, without a license, may perform basic supportive acupuncture procedures under the supervision and order of an acupuncturist. (2) The supervising acupuncturist shall be physically present and available in the place of practice during the performance of any ordered basic supportive acupuncture procedures. (3) The supervising acupuncturist engaging the services of an acupuncture assistant shall be responsible for the training and overall competency of the acupuncture assistant, including the ability to perform any specific basic supportive acupuncture service. (4) The supervising acupuncturist shall ensure the acupuncture assistant meets the following: (A) Is enrolled in an approved educational and training program and has completed at least a minimum of 700 hours of clinical practice or has completed an approved educational and training program. (B) Holds a certificate in Clean Needle Technique issued by the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, or its successor entity, or has completed an approved educational and training program’s Clean Needle Technique course using the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Clean Needle Technique, 7th edition, revised 1/2016. (g) (1) “Basic supportive acupuncture service” means any of the following: (A) Needle removal. (B) Cupping. (C) Moxibustion. (D) Gua sha. (E) Any other service listed under subdivision (b) of Section 4937. (2) “Basic supportive acupuncture service” does not include diagnosis, point location, needle insertion, electrical stimulation, rendering advice to patients, or any other procedure requiring a similar degree of judgment or skill.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4927.5. Section 4927.5.

(a) For purposes of this chapter, “approved educational and training program” means a school or college offering education and training in the practice of an acupuncturist that meets all of the following requirements: (1) Offers curriculum that includes at least 3,000 hours of which at least 2,050 hours are didactic and laboratory training, and at least 950 hours are supervised clinical instruction. Has submitted that curriculum to the board, and has received board approval of the curriculum. Any school or college offering education and training in the practice of acupuncture that was approved by the board prior to January 1, 2017, has not had its approval revoked, and has not changed its curriculum since receiving board approval, is deemed to have had its curriculum approved by the board for the purposes of this section. (2) Has received full institutional approval under Article 6 (commencing with Section 94885) of Chapter 8 of Part 59 of Division 10 of Title 3 of the Education Code in the field of traditional Asian medicine, or in the case of institutions located outside of this state, approval by the appropriate governmental educational authority using standards equivalent to those of Article 6 (commencing with Section 94885) of Chapter 8 of Part 59 of Division 10 of Title 3 of the Education Code. (3) Meets any of the following: (A) Is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, or its successor entity. (B) Has been granted preaccreditation status by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, or its successor entity. (C) Has submitted a letter of intent to pursue accreditation to the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, or its successor entity within 30 days of receiving full institutional approval pursuant to paragraph (2), and is granted preaccreditation status within three years of the date that letter was submitted. (b) Within 30 days after receiving curriculum pursuant to paragraph (1), the board shall review the curriculum, determine whether the curriculum satisfies the requirements established by the board, and notify the school or college, the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, or its successor entity, and the Bureau for Private and Postsecondary Education of whether the board has approved the curriculum.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4928. Section 4928.

(a) The Acupuncture Board, which consists of seven members, shall enforce and administer this chapter. (b) This section shall remain in effect until January 1, 2028, and as of that date is repealed.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4928.2. Section 4928.2.

Protection of the public shall be the highest priority for the Acupuncture Board in exercising its licensing, regulatory, and disciplinary functions. Whenever the protection of the public is inconsistent with other interests sought to be promoted, the protection of the public shall be paramount.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4929. Section 4929.

Three members of the board shall be acupuncturists with at least five years of experience in acupuncture and four members shall be public members who do not hold a license or certificate as a physician and surgeon or acupuncturist. The acupuncturist members shall be appointed to represent a cross section of the cultural backgrounds of licensed members of the acupuncturist profession. The Governor shall appoint the three acupuncturist members and two of the public members. All members appointed to the board by the Governor shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate. The Senate Rules Committee and the Speaker of the Assembly shall each appoint a public member. Any member of the board may be removed by the appointing power for neglect of duty, misconduct, or malfeasance in office, after being provided with a written statement of the charges and an opportunity to be heard.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4933. Section 4933.

(a) The board shall administer this chapter. (b) The board may adopt, amend, or repeal, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), regulations as may be necessary to enable it to carry into effect the provisions of law relating to the practice of acupuncture. (c) Four members of the board, including at least one acupuncturist, shall constitute a quorum to conduct business. (d) It shall require an affirmative vote of a majority of those present at a meeting of the board to take any action or pass any motion.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4934. Section 4934.

(a) The board, by and with the approval of the director, may appoint an executive officer who is exempt from the State Civil Service Act (Part 2 (commencing with Section 18500) of Division 5 of Title 2 of the Government Code). (b) This section shall remain in effect until January 1, 2028, and as of that date is repealed.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4934.1. Section 4934.1.

(a) The Legislature requests the Milton Marks “Little Hoover” Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy to conduct a comprehensive analysis consisting of the following reviews and evaluations and shall report their findings and recommendations to the Legislature by September 1, 2004: (1) Review and make recommendations on the scope of practice for acupuncturists. (2) Review and make recommendations on the educational requirements for acupuncturists. (3) Evaluate the national examination, administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and make recommendations as to whether or not the national examination should be offered in California in lieu of, or as part of, the state examination. (4) Evaluate and make recommendations on the approval process of the Accreditation Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, the approval process of the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, and the board’s approval process. (b) The board shall pay for all of the costs associated with the comprehensive analysis. An amount to pay for all of the costs associated with the comprehensive analysis, up to two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000), is hereby appropriated to the board from the Acupuncture Fund.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4934.2. Section 4934.2.

The board shall conduct the following studies and reviews, and shall report its findings and recommendations to the department and the Joint Committee on Boards, Commissions, and Consumer Protection no later that September 1, 2004: (a) The board shall conduct a comprehensive study of the use of unlicensed acupuncture assistants and the need to license and regulate those assistants. (b) The board shall study and recommend ways to improve the frequency and consistency of their auditing and the quality and relevance of their courses.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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