ETHICS AND DISCIPLINARY REVIEW
NCCAOM Non-Discrimination Policy
The NCCAOM does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation,
political or religious beliefs, handicap, marital status, national origin, or ancestry.
NCCAOM Code of Ethics
The cornerstone of the NCCAOM’s commitment to ethical business practices and professional conduct is its Code of Ethics. Every NCCAOM Diplomate and applicant pledges to abide by the NCCAOM® Code of Ethics standards and procedures as a condition of NCCAOM certification and certification maintenance.
NCCAOM Diplomates
All practitioners certified by the NCCAOM must be committed to responsible and ethical practice, to the growth of the profession’s role in the broad spectrum of United States healthcare, and to their own professional growth.
NCCAOM Applicants and Candidates
All NCCAOM Candidates must sign the statement of acknowledgement as part of their application for certification, in which they must attest that the information provided on the application and the supporting documents are accurate, true and correct. Candidates agree to abide by the NCCAOM® Code of Ethics and the policies and procedures of the organization, and to release all information pertinent to the application. Candidates also agree to strict confidentiality when it comes to examination security, transmitting information to another person or entity, and the ramifications if found to have done so.
Frameable : NCCAOM® Code of Ethics
Disciplinary Action
NCCAOM is continuously raising the standard for the practice of acupuncture and Oriental medicine by strengthening its professional ethics and disciplinary policies and procedures. The NCCAOM® Code of Ethics serves as guideline for all NCCAOM applicants and Diplomates to ensure that disciplinary standards for certified practitioners are maintained. All applicants and Diplomates must always abide by the NCCAOM® Code of Ethics.
Penalties for violations of the Code of Ethics may include denial of certification, probation, suspension, or revocation of certification. Disciplinary action is taken for various offenses, including cheating, boundary violations, fraud, non-license activity such as negligence and criminal conviction.
NCCAOM® Grounds for Professional Discipline
According to the NCCAOM® Grounds for Professional Discipline, a non-exhaustive list of common types of actions that will subject an NCCAOM applicants and Diplomates to disciplinary action includes:
- Unethical Behavior
- Legal and Disciplinary Matters
- Incompetence
- Impairment
- Examination Irregularity
NCCAOM® Procedures for Upholding Professional Conduct
The NCCAOM Professional Ethics and Disciplinary Committee (PEDC) has the authority to investigate disciplinary actions taken against NCCAOM applicants and Diplomates and to impose sanctions on NCCAOM applicants and Diplomates according to the NCCAOM® Procedures for Upholding Professional Conduct. The PEDC meets monthly to review disciplinary cases and disciplinary sanctions can include letter of reprimand, letter of censure, probation, suspension and revocation of certification. It is important to note that NCCAOM exchanges disciplinary actions with state boards and Disciplinary actions are published on the NCCAOM’s website as well as its Find a Practitioner Directory, The Diplomate newsletter and in the electronic e-newsletter Diplomate E-News You Can Use.
NCCAOM® Complaint Procedure
A formal complaint may be filed against NCCAOM Diplomates for violations of professional ethics using the Complaint Form for Professional Ethics Violations available on the NCCAOM website. All complaints must be in writing and signed by the person submitting the complaint. A complaint should also be filed with the state regulatory agency in the jurisdiction where the Diplomate practices. A copy of that complaint also must be sent to the NCCAOM. For a list of state regulatory boards with contact information, please visit State Licensure Requirements . NCCAOM staff will evaluate the complaint to determine if it is spurious, unreliable or outside the purview of the commission. The subject of the complaint will be given the opportunity to provide a full and complete response to the complaint along with submitting any and all documentation that the individual believes is relevant. NCCAOM reserves the right to take disciplinary action against certified practitioners, including but not limited to: ineligibility for certification or recertification; probation pending completion of specified conditions such as monitoring, counseling or remedial education; written reprimand (formal expression of disapproval retained in the Diplomate’s file but not publicly announced); censure (formal expression of disapproval that is publicly announced); suspension of certification for a designated period; or termination/revocation of certification. It is important to remember that all sanctions issued to NCCAOM Diplomates are published, with the exception of a letter of reprimand.
Diplomates Under Disciplinary Action
NCCAOM reserves the right to take disciplinary action against certified practitioners, including but not limited to (i) ineligibility for certification or recertification; (ii) probation pending completion of specified conditions such as monitoring, counseling, or remedial education; (iii) written reprimand (formal expression of disapproval retained in the Diplomate’s file but not publicly announced); (iv) censure (formal expression of disapproval that is publicly announced); (v) suspension of certification for a designated period; or (vi) termination/revocation of certification.