Recertification

Diplomates are responsible for renewing their certification every four years and are expected to maintain their status by participating in Professional Development Activities (PDA). Diplomates must earn a minimum of 60 PDA points during the four- year period immediately preceding the expiration of certification.

As a courtesy, recertification reminders are sent to Diplomates at 180, 90, 60 and then 30 days prior to the expiration date of their certification. Diplomates are ultimately responsible for ensuring the timely submission of the recertification application.

Please submit the completed application at least 60 days, but no more than one year prior to the expiration of the certificate. This will ensure it is processed in a timely manner and avoid lapsed status. Upon approval, NCCAOM will send a congratulatory letter with a new wallet-sized ID card and a certificate ready for display.

Steps to Recertification*:
Recertification, or renewal of a NCCAOM certification is required every four years.
1. Read the NCCAOM® Recertification Handbook.
2. Complete 60 PDA points within a four-year cycle.

• As of January 1, 2009 CPR is a stand alone requirement worth 4 PDA points.
• Also, required are four PDA points in Safety and/or Ethics.
• * Review the NCCAOM® Recertification Handbook for a complete breakdown of the PDA requirements.

3. Complete and sign the recertification application form.
4. Attach the recertification payment.
5. Attach the certificates of PDA participation and other documentation. Do not send originals! Documentation will be shredded and NOT returned to the Diplomate.
6. Mail the packet at least 60 days before the expiration date to:
NCCAOM
76 S. Laura Street, Suite 1290
Jacksonville, FL 32202
7. Use a postal tracking system to monitor the recertification packet.

*These steps are standard for Active Diplomates returning to Active status. PDA points and documentation required will vary if certification is in “Lapsed” status or “Inactive” status is requested. Please see the NCCAOM® Recertification Handbook for detailed information.

Numerous classes by approved PDA providers are available in safety and ethics which, can be located on the NCCAOM PDA Search Engine by typing in the keywords safety or ethics. Among the classes offered is NCCAOM’s online course, worth four PDA points, designed to educate you as a healthcare practitioner to become aware of your legal obligations and exposure. Also, learn what constitutes a boundary violation, how to terminate a problem patient and where NCCAOM fits into the disciplinary process. Click here for the Professional Ethics and Liability Course to sign up for this on line course.

Note: The recertification process takes approximately six to eight weeks so please plan accordingly.

NCCAOM Recertification At a Glance

All Diplomates are required to document a total of 60 PDA points for the four-year recertification cycle. The 60 PDA points may be divided into two sections: 1) Competency Maintenance, and 2) Professional Development Activities.

The following figure shows the NCCAOM recertification program schematically.

Competency Maintenance Coursework: A minimum of 30 points must be completed, up to a maximum of 60 points may be completed and documented in approved NCCAOM PDA coursework (identified in the Handbook) within the four areas listed below.

1) Core Skills: at least 15 PDA points must be in the Core Competency Areas which include any of the five branches of Oriental medicine (e.g., acupuncture, Chinese herbs, Chinese dietary therapy, Qigong, Asian bodywork therapy) and biomedicine.

2) CPR Course: NCCAOM requires maintenance of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), a temporary life-maintenance technique. Diplomates must document verification of a CPR course taken during their recertification cycle. A maximum of 4 PDA points may be applied toward the 60 PDA points required for recertification; however, the points may not be used in the Safety/Ethics or core skills categories under Competency Maintenance.

Important Note: An online CPR course certificate/ID card is accepted by the NCCAOM for the CPR recertification requirement; however, each state has its own requirements related to the type and provider(s) of CPR which are accepted for licensure. It is the Diplomates responsibility to check their state’s information to ensure licensure requirements for CPR are attained.

3) Safety and/or Ethics: A minimum of four (4) PDA points must be attained in one or more of the following areas – herbal safety, universal precautions, ethics and liability, public health reporting requirement, etc.)

4) Other Competency Maintenance Categories: A minimum of seven (7) PDA points can also be used to fulfill the Competency Maintenance category if that coursework is directly for the purpose of enhancing a Diplomate’s knowledge or practice in Oriental medicine. Courses such as injection therapy (if part of the scope of practice in the state where the Diplomate practices), practice management, adjunctive therapies (e.g. cupping, moxabustion, etc.), patient education are examples of such coursework.

Approved NCCAOM PDA Coursework
NCCAOM accepts PDA points for coursework that is directly for the purpose of enhancing a Diplomate’s knowledge or practice in Oriental medicine and meet one of the following criteria:

• The course is offered by a current NCCAOM approved PDA provider.
• The course has been accepted by a state regulatory board for license renewal.
• The course has been accepted by a professional healthcare organization.
• The course is part of the academic or professional track sponsored by a school accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM)
• The course is part of the academic or professional track sponsored by an AOBTA Council of Schools and Program (COSP) approved institution.
• The course is a part of a degree program at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university. 

Professional Activities Summary (Optional): A maximum of 30 PDA Points is allowed to be submitted by Diplomates in this area of recertification if additional points are needed to reach the 60 point requirement. As Diplomates continue in their career they desire to develop their professional knowledge and skills to enhance their practice and to provide service and leadership to the acupuncture and Oriental medicine profession. The NCCAOM, therefore, recognizes other professional development activities and awards points accordingly in addition to continuing education. NCCAOM also offers PDA points for participation in professional activities which help the Diplomate stay current in their area of specialty. In this section Diplomates may earn a maximum of 30 PDA points. See pages 23-27 for category descriptions and required documentation. The table below provides a comprehensive list of acceptable professional development activity areas and the maximum number of PDA points permitted for each activity.

Professional Activity continuing education hours may be used alone or in combination with other professional activity categories to complete the required 60 PDA points. Depending upon the specific activity, documentation includes a copy of the certificate of participation, school transcript, or letter of verification, on letterhead, from the sponsoring organization.

NEW! Practice Enhancements – January 1, 2011
A maximum of six (6) PDA points may be submitted in a four-year recertification cycle for programs in continuing education that relate to areas outside the core competencies that enhance or benefit an Oriental medicine practitioner. This activity category allows for PDA points for subjects that do not directly relate to Oriental medicine but may still enhance the Diplomate’s professional development (i.e., native American herbs, crystals, symbols, psycho-spiritual healing, reike, martial arts, touch therapy, etc.).
Required Documentation: A certificate of completion or a notarized letter that documents sponsoring organization, program title, date(s), number of points/hours, and instructor’s name. It is recommended to save brochures and other related documents in case the program content requires review.

Donate Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM) Services – July 2010
This professional development activity category supports the humanitarian aims of the AOM profession. Diplomates may earn one PDA point for every two hours of donated time with a maximum of ten PDA points in a four-year recertification cycle. The service must be provided on a pro bono basis through an organization offering humanitarian missions to:

The Diplomates must adapt the delivery of AOM treatments while obtaining new clinical, emotional and/or psychological skills in new locations, and with new patients in unfamiliar cultures and/or languages located in non-traditional settings.

Required Documentation: A letter, printed on letterhead from the Chair or Director of the organization to which you donated the pro bono services. The letter must include 1) the location and description of the setting where the services were performed, 2) dates and hours of service, 3) population served, and 4) documentation of the new skill(s) acquired.

Item Writing – July 2010
Diplomates who participate as item writers may earn a maximum of ten (10) PDA points in a four-year recertification cycle. Four items are worth one PDA point. To qualify for PDA points, the Diplomate must:

Required Documentation:
1) A copy of the NCCAOM^® Certificate of Participation documenting attendance at an NCCAOM Item Writing Workshop or webinar, and
2) A copy of an NCCAOM^® Certificate of Completion verifying item writing PDA points awarded

Note: Diplomates who are currently serving as subject matter experts may not concurrently receive a stipend and PDA points for the same professional activity.

Serve on a Professional Board
Reminder! Serving on a state, regional or national board or a national committee related to the acupuncture and Oriental medicine profession may earn a maximum of five PDA points in one year with a total of 10 points submitted per recertification cycle.
Required Documentation: A letter, printed on letterhead from the organization’s chair verifying participation, dates of service, and in what capacity.