Eligibility for NCCAOM Certification
The NCCAOM® Certification Handbook is the official source of information for applicants who wish to achieve certification(s) with NCCAOM. Please see step by step process below for further details.
NCCAOM Certification Requirements
Certification Complete
Requirements for NCCAOM Certification
Final Graduation Transcript
- Certification in Acupuncture: Master’s degree program in Acupuncture or Oriental Medicine
- Certification in Oriental Medicine: Master’s degree program in Oriental Medicine
- Certification in Chinese Herbology: Master’s Degree program in Acupuncture and completion of a post graduate Chinese Herbal certificate program.
An official graduation transcript must be submitted by the ACAOM School to NCCAOM before applicant can be approved to test.
Contact Ph: (888) 381 – 11140. email: [email protected]
Submit Application
Submit Application
Effective November 12, 2018, all applications for NCCAOM certification are submitted online. Application fees are due at the time the application is submitted to NCCAOM. All fees are payable in United States ($) dollars and are non-refundable.- Route: US Formal Education - Graduate. Application for NCCAOM Certification can be submitted no more then 60 days prior to applicant's graduation date. Final Graduation Transcript submitted directly from the school and CNT certificate submitted from CCAOM are required before applicant is approved to test.
- Route: International Education- Graduate. All applicants who completed their formal education outside of the United States. must complete International Education Evaluation Review process. NCCAOM requires a course-by-course credential evaluation from International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Please login and create your NCCAOM online account, then click on the International Verification tab to be redirected to the ICD website. Applicants are advised to apply to sit for National Board Exams after receiving verification that the evaluation has been delivered to NCCAOM.
- Route: Apprenticeship. Applicants are advised to submit the NCCAOM application and training documentation packet after the apprenticeship is completed. The Apprenticeship for US and International Applicants (Route 3) will be eliminated as of December 31, 2021. The apprenticeship program must be completed and the application for certification through the Apprenticeship for US and International Applicants (Route 3) must be received by the NCCAOM no later than December 31, 2021. Please review the Apprenticeship Route FAQ for more information. The Combination of Formal Education and Apprenticeship for US and International Applicants (Route 4) will remain in effect.
- Route: Combination of Formal Education and Apprenticeship. Applicants using Route 4 to reach eligibility to sit for NCCAOM examinations are awarded points for meeting the requirements in the Formal Education and Apprenticeship Routes. For more details about this route please use NCCAOM Certification Handbook. Applicants are advised to submit the NCCAOM application and training documentation packet after the apprenticeship is completed.
- Effective February 1, 2019, the NCCAOM opened Route 8: Reciprocal Certification for California Licensed Acupuncturists. This is a time-limited route that will close on December 31, 2020. Individuals how hold an active California Acupuncture license that is in good standing and was obtained on or before January 31, 2019 may apply. Please use the NCCAOM® Certification Handbook for all eligibility requirements.
Requirements for NCCAOM Certification
Clean Needle Technique Certificate
An NCCAOM approved Clean Needle Technique (CNT) in person practical course is required for all applicants of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. The Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine’s (CCAOM) Clean Needle Technique (CNT) course is NCCAOM approved.
The CNT course completed date, as noted on the CNT certificate, must be completed within six years within the application date and verification of the completed CNT course must be submitted by CCAOM. Completion of the CNT course is required to take the examinations.
Please visit the CCAOM website at www.ccaom.org for more information on scheduling to take the CNT course or to have verification of the CNT certificate sent directly to NCCAOM.
Requirements for NCCAOM Certification
Quick Guide to NCCAOM® Certification
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Oriental Medicine Certification Dipl. O.M. (NCCAOM)®
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Acupuncture Certification Dipl. Ac. (NCCAOM)®
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Chinese Herbology Certification Dipl. C.H. (NCCAOM)®
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Foundations of Oriental Medicine (FOM)
Acupuncture with Point Location (ACPL) Chinese Herbology (CH) Biomedicine (BIO) |
FOM |
FOM ACPL BIO |
FOM CH BIO |
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Eligibility Routes to Sit for NCCAOM Examinations
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| Route 1: Formal education–United States Program |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Route 2: Formal Education – International Program |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Route 3: Apprenticeship | Not eligible | Yes | Yes |
| Route 4: Combination of Apprenticeship and Education |
Not eligible | Yes | Yes |
| Route 5: Conversion to Oriental Medicine |
Yes | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Route 6: Reinstatement to Active Status |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Route 8: Reciprocal Route for California Licensed Acupuncturists (Passed the CALE exam) |
No exams required | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Contact Ph: (888) 381 – 1140. email: [email protected]