Acupuncture Licensure Information and Fees

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LATE RENEWAL, INACTIVE, REINSTATEMENT

What are the requirements for late renewal, being on inactive status and reinstatement? 

LATE RENEWAL: 

A late renewal means that you have sent in your renewal application within a 30-day grace period after the expiration date of your license. If you file a late renewal, you will be required to pay a $100 late fee. Please remember that a late renewal only applies if you submit your application and fee within 30 days after the expiration date.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU FAIL TO RENEW YOUR LICENSE ON TIME YOU MAY BE CONSIDERED PRACTICING WITHOUT A LICENSE AND MAY BE CHARGED IN VIOLATION OF THE MARYLAND ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE ACT.  

REINSTATEMENT:  

If you submit your renewal application more than 30 days after the expiration date, you will be required to reinstate your license. This means that you failed to renew within the 30-day grace period and will have to pay the renewal fee and a reinstatement fee of $200. You will also have to provide proof of 40 hours of CEU’s for every 2 years your license has lapsed.  

INACTIVE: 

Recommended for licensees who will not be practicing acupuncture in Maryland for more than 2 years. If you know that you will be out of state for a period or want to go on maternity leave, you may think about placing your license on inactive status. This process avoids the higher cost of reinstatement. To become inactive you simply complete an inactive application, pay a $100 fee and request that you be placed on an inactive list. Upon your return to your Maryland practice, you can easily fill out a renewal form, pay the renewal fee and provide documentation of 40 CEU’s for every 2 years you are inactive. Inactive status is limited to a 6 year time period.  

Initial Application Requirements 

An applicant must be 18 years old and meet one of the following standards:

1. Graduation from a course of training of at least 1,800 hours, including 300 clinical hours, that is:

• Approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission,

• Approved by the ACAOM, or

• Found by the Board to be equivalent to a course approved by the ACAOM;

2. Achievement of a:

• Diplomate in Acupuncture from the NCCAOM; or

• Passing score on an examination that is determined by the Board to be equivalent to the examination given by the NCCAOM; or

• Existing license, certification, or registration in acupuncture in another state that has a reciprocity agreement with Maryland and has education, practice, or examination requirements equal to or greater than those established in this State.

3. An applicant must also demonstrate proof of proficiency in the written and oral communication of the English language by providing documentary evidence that: The applicant has completed at least 60 credits from an English-speaking undergraduate school or English-speaking professional school or;

Has achieved a TOEFL passing score of at least

• 577 on the paper/pencil test

• 233 on the computer based test is the minimum score required for acupuncture licensure applicants

• 90 on the internet-based TOEFL (TOEFL iBT)

with the following minimum passing scores for each section:

• Writing: 22

• Speaking: 23

• Reading: 21

• Listening: 24

4. Review of Foreign Credentials:

• Effective February 16, 2004, the Board will require the applicant to submit the education credits at the applicant's expense to an educational evaluation agency approved by the Board with the request that the evaluation report be sent directly to the Board (see foreign credentials equivalency review application under FORMS). The foreign credentials equivalency review application must be completed in addition to the initial application.  

  Fees  

  ​Transaction	​Fee
  ​Initial application;	​ $450.00
  ​Renewal Application	​ $525.00
  ​Application for inactive status;	​ $100.00
  Late application (any application); ​	​ $100.00
  Reinstatement; ​	​ $200.00
  ​Fine for failure to notify Board of change in name or address;	​ $50.00
  ​Course equivalency review plus all necessary travel, accommodations, and translation or other expenses related to determine equivalency;	​ $500.00
  ​Examination equivalency review plus all necessary travel, accommodations and translation or other expenses;	​ $500.00
  Application for professional corporate name; ​	​ $20.00
  ​Application for certification to practice acupuncture on animals	​ $100.00
  ​Auricular detoxification specialist registration	​ $50.00
  ​Auricular detoxification aide registration renewal	​ $25.00
  Verification​	​ $20.00
  ​Roster	​ $25.00

    

  5. Interim Numbers: Because the Board of Acupuncture meets every other month, the Board will issue interim license numbers between Board meetings so that a licensee may practice without delay. In order for an applicant to receive an interim license number, all pertinent application documentation, must be received by the Board at least 14 days prior to the next meeting of the Board. Interim numbers are issued by letter to the address indicated on the application. Interim numbers are not provided over the phone.