NCCAOM Examination Reschedule/Cancellation
Since October 15, 2022, all NCCAOM candidates have been receiving three (3) free cancellation/rescheduling exam attempts for each of their exams. After the third (free) cancellation/reschedule, the candidate is no longer able to cancel/reschedule an examination and must appear for the exam on the day and time the exam has been re-scheduled; otherwise, the exam appointment will go to “No Show”, and the candidate will forfeit the testing fee paid.
To continue testing after a third (free) cancellation/rescheduling attempt, the candidate must fill out the NCCAOM Request Form to receive a new authorization (ATT Letter) at which time the candidate will be charged a $60 rescheduling fee. The candidate will then have the ability to schedule their exams, pay the testing fee and receive three additional attempts to cancel/reschedule with the new authorization.
Please note that Pearson VUE is a third-party vendor providing test administration services to NCCAOM candidates. Where Pearson VUE collects the payment for exam appointments, exams must be taken within two (2) years. Otherwise, the Candidate must cancel and schedule a new exam.
Program Performance Reports
The full-year 2022 NCCAOM® Program Performance Reports, which contain student exam data from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022 is now available. The online NCCAOM® Program Performance Report Order Form can be accessed here. After you enter your information, click the green ‘Submit’ button at the bottom of the page. The NCCAOM Customer Service Team member will notify you when your invoice is ready to be paid. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.
NCCAOM Certification Application Validity Time
The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM®) is a non-profit 501(c)(6) organization established in 1982. The NCCAOM is the only national organization that validates entry-level competency in the practice of acupuncture and Herbal medicine (AHM) through professional certification. The NCCAOM currently offers 3 certification programs:
- NCCAOM Certification in Acupuncture,
- NCCAOM Certification in Chinese Herbology, and
- NCCAOM Certification in Oriental Medicine.
All students graduating from an ACAHM-approved school can apply for the NCCAOM certification 60 days prior to their graduation date. These 60 days provide applicants with an opportunity to satisfy documentation requirements for NCCAOM certification and test approval. Students must request verification of the school’s final graduation transcript from their school and verification of the Clean Needle Technique (CNT) certificate from CCAHM. Verification of both documents must be provided by the issuing institution directly to the NCCAOM.
Once the final graduation transcript and CNT certificate from CCAHM have been received and approved by the NCCAOM staff, an applicant is approved to take national board exams. The applicant must pass all exams required for NCCAOM certification of their choice:
Acupuncture Certification requires an applicant to pass:
- Foundation of Oriental Medicine Exam
- Acupuncture with Point Location Exam
- Biomedicine Exam
Chinese Herbology Certification requires an applicant to pass:
- Foundations of Oriental Medicine Exam
- Chinese Herbology exam
- Biomedicine Exam
Oriental Medicine Certification requires applicant to pass:
- Foundations of Oriental Medicine Exam
- Acupuncture with Point Location Exam
- Chinese Herbology exam
- Biomedicine Exam
Applicant Fees
Security and protection of confidential information of its Diplomates and candidates is of vital importance to the NCCAOM. Visa, Master Card, and now American Express payments may be submitted through the online application process and exam scheduling fees.
All applicant fees are available in the Applicant Resources section of the NCCAOM website.
Application for NCCAOM certification is valid for four (4) years from the application submission date. All requirements (documentation and exams) must be met within the 4-years application validity time. If requirements are not completed, the application expires, and the applicant must re-apply to satisfy outstanding requirements. If certification is not achieved, NCCAOM exams passed by the candidate are valid for 12 years from the date they were taken, and the Clean Needle Technique (CNT) course is valid for 6 years from the date it was completed.
The NCCAOM encourages all students to achieve NCCAOM certification and keep it active for the length of their professional careers.
Required Identification at the Pearson VUE Test Center
When a Candidate arrives at the Pearson VUE test center on the day of the exam appointment, before being permitted to enter the exam room, the Candidate is required to confirm their identity by presenting two forms of accepted ID: a Primary ID and a Secondary ID. All IDs must be current and valid (not expired). If a Candidate arrives at the test center without the required ID(s), the Candidate will not be permitted to test and will have to schedule (and pay for) a new appointment.
Primary ID:
Must be current, valid and contain your photograph and signature.
Examples of accepted Primary ID:
- A currently valid, signed, passport of any country.
- A currently valid, signed, government issued photo driving license (full or provisional)*.
*Only if issued in the country in which the candidate’s exam is being delivered.
- Employee ID or work badge
- Military ID
- School ID
- Government issued ID card
Note: Employee ID or work badge, Military ID, School ID, and Government issued ID card must be issued in the country in which the candidate’s exam is being delivered. The ID must contain a photograph and signature.
Secondary ID:
Must contain Candidate’s signature.
Examples of accepted Secondary ID:
- Credit Card
- Debit Card
- Bank Card
- another ID from the Primary ID list
Student Webinar:
May 17, 2023
Join the NCCAOM for the NCCAOM Student Webinar scheduled for May 17, 2023, at 4:00 pm EDT. You will learn the details about:
- Board examination process, application processing times, and test approval.
- The Dos and Don’ts when dealing with exam schedules.
- Learn about the exam score verification to state acupuncture licensing boards.
- Explore the interactive map for state licensure.
- Learn the benefits of being an NCCAOM Diplomate.
NCCAOM Official Pass/Fail Notification Letters
Candidates will no longer need to wait for the U.S. Postal service to deliver the official notification letter!! A candidate’s official NCCAOM Examination Official Pass/Fail Notification Letter is now uploaded to the Candidate/Diplomate’s online portal within 7-10 days after the exam date.
As you are aware upon completion of the adaptive examination, the computer at the testing center will display a preliminary pass/fail exam status.
NCCAOM Virtual Teleconference for Graduating Students
NCCAOM provides a customized virtual presentation for the graduating classes. To request yours, please contact us at [email protected].
The candidate is asked to acknowledge that this is a preliminary notification. The official NCCAOM pass results letter does not display a numerical score; however, the failed exam result letter provides a numerical scaled score and a breakdown of sections indicating areas of weakness. Candidates will now be able to track, in their online certification account, the official results for their most recent examination completed within two weeks of having finished the exam.