About CA License Renewal Requirements

The California Acupuncture Board mandates that acupuncturists accumulate 50 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) within a two-year period before the license expiration date.

Distribution of the 50 CEUs:

• Online Learning: 25 CEUs can be earned through pre-approved online learning courses and articles that are accompanied with a self-assessment (Category 1). This can include:
  • Acupuncture and Asian Medicine
  • Western biomedicine and biological sciences
  • Scientific or clinical content with a direct bearing on the quality of patient care, community or public health, or preventive medicine
  • Courses concerning law and ethics and health facility standards
  • Courses designed to develop a licensee's patient education skills, including, but not limited to, patient education in therapeutic exercise techniques, nutritional counseling, and biomechanical education
  • Courses designed to enhance a licensee's ability to communicate effectively with other medical practitioners
  • Courses in acupuncture's role in individual and public health, such as emergencies and disasters
  • Courses in the behavioral sciences, patient counseling, and patient management and motivation when such courses are specifically oriented to the improvement of patient health
  • Research and evidence-based medicine as related to acupuncture and Asian medicine
  • Business & Practice Management: Up to 5 of the 50 CEUs can be in the area of business or practice management, whether live or online (Category 2). This can include:
    • Practice management courses unrelated to clinical matters and direct patient care, including administrative record keeping, laws and regulations unrelated to clinical medicine, insurance billing and coding, and general business organization and management.
    • Live Courses: The remaining 20-25 CEUs must be obtained through live, face-to-face classes.

    Additional Information:

    • Each acupuncturist is required to retain records of all continuing education courses attended for a minimum of four (4) years. ACEU Masters retains your courses taken with us in your account.
    • Note: The California Board does not require any NCCAOM Certification or credits.