NCCAOM Exam Administration
General Examination Information
NCCAOM Ongoing Exams:
Attention all NCCAOM candidates:
The NCCAOM is working hard to ensure that all NCCAOM National Board Exams continue to be administered. Since NCCAOM exams are considered “essential”, we do not anticipate an interruption in test administration for NCCAOM candidates, however this is dependent on requirement to abide by state or local mandates.
Further, please note that Pearson VUE testing capacity may be reduced in some centers due to social distancing requirements and some centers may temporarily close due to the state mandates. If you receive a notice to reschedule your exam, please follow the provided instructions to select another date or location.
Please visit Pearson Vue Coronavirus Update Page for latest information and Testing for Essential Services Frequently Asked Questions.
NCCAOM offers adaptive (year-round) testing for the following examination modules:
- Acupuncture with Point Location
- Biomedicine
- Chinese Herbology
- Foundations of Oriental Medicine
To view the NCCAOM Exam Retake Policy click here.
NCCAOM Examination Format
The adaptive examinations are offered in English and delivered in a computerized format that consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. One question appears at a time on the computer screen and may include visual images (ACPL module only). Once the candidate selects their answer, they can move to the next question. It is important to note that the candidate is unable to go back to review or change answers once they have moved to the next question. Once the exam is complete, a candidate will receive a preliminary status of pass or fail before leaving the test center.
The NCCAOM has postponed the administration of the 2022-2023 Chinese and Korean language exams due to the low number of candidates interested in taking these exams, which affects the psychometric reliability of these exams. If candidates are interested in taking foreign language exams, please contact [email protected].
Below is a table of comparison of the adaptive and linear format administrations:
| Administration Features | Adaptive Format | Linear Format |
| Exam Content | Adheres to the current content outline | Adheres to the current content outline |
| Availability | Year-round | Specified dates |
| Exam Length and Allotted Time | 100 items with 2.5 hours allotted time for completion | 130 items with 3.25 hours allotted time for completion |
| Non-Disclosure Agreement | Yes, must agree within the first 5 minutes the proctor starts computer. |
Yes, must agree within the first 5 minutes the proctor starts computer. |
| Exam Administration | Unique forms for each candidate | Fixed forms for candidates during specified exam dates |
| Ability to Skip Items | No | No |
| Review Feature | No | Yes, once all items have been answered. Candidates can review and change answers within the remaining allotted time. |
| Availability of Preliminary Pass or Fail Status | Yes, preliminary status is immediately available after completion of exam at the test center. | No, preliminary status is not provided after the completion of the exam at the test center. Candidates must wait for official notification via mail. |
| Official Results Report | Available in your online portal within 7 business days after the completion of the exam | Available in your online portal within 7 business days after the completion of the exam |
English Language Exams
Acupuncture with Point Location
Biomedicine
Chinese Herbology
Foundations of Oriental Medicine
General Information and Content Outlines
| English Adaptive Exam Information – General | |||
| Examination | Number of Items | Time Allotted | Current Content Outlines |
| Acupuncture | 100 | 2.5 Hrs | ACPL Content Outline |
| Biomedicine | 100 | 2.5 Hrs | BIO Content Outline |
| Chinese Herbology | 100 | 2.5 Hrs | CH Content Outline |
| Foundations of Oriental Medicine | 100 | 2.5 Hrs | FOM Content Outline |
Foreign Language Exams
The NCCAOM has postponed the administration of the 2022-2023 Chinese and Korean language exams due to the low number of candidates interested in taking these exams, which affects the psychometric reliability of the exams. Due to the complexity of the foreign language examinations, they are scheduled only when an identified number of candidates are registered per examination. NCCAOM will conduct a needs assessment for the foreign language exams. When the exams are offered, they are computer-based, fixed form (linear) that consist of 100 multiple-choice questions. If candidates are interested in taking foreign language exams, please contact [email protected].
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Foreign Language Exam Information – General |
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| Examination | Number of Items | Time Allotted | Current Content Outlines |
| Foundations of Oriental Medicine | 100 | 2.5 Hours | Chinese Korean |
| Acupuncture with Point Location | 100 | 2.5 Hours | Chinese Korean |
| Chinese Herbology | 100 | 2.5 Hours | Chinese Korean |
| Biomedicine | 100 | 2.5 Hours | Chinese Korean |