NCCAOM POLICY UPDATES

  • NEW: Effective December 2, 2020, the NCCAOM is changing the Exam Retake Policy by removing the maximum cap (limit of 5 times) from the number of test retakes for the purpose of certification. This change will affect several different applicant groups within the pipeline of certification, each with differing scenarios and each with different criteria for retesting to ensure candidate preparedness and exam security.
    After 5 unsuccessful exam attempts, the NCCAOM will afford additional test attempts to those who meet the specific criteria (continuing education) and who have petitioned the NCCAOM with their request. More details are available at https://www.nccaom.org/nccaom-exam-retake-policy/.
  • 2020 Exam Administration Changes
  • FAQ on Pre-Graduation Route Elimination (Updated: August, 2018)
  • FAQ on Exam Administration Change
  • NCCAOM Letter to Stakeholders Regarding Policy Changes
  • NEW: Effective January 2020, the NCCAOM adaptive testing will be temporarily suspended and the NCCAOM examinations will be administered in linear format during four pre-set testing windows. More Info
  • NEW: Effective September 1, 2018,  the NCCAOM no longer will be accepting new application to test via Route 1b – Pre-Graduate, Formal Education, US. More Info
  • Effective November 15, 2017, the NCCAOM is Going Paperless. More Info
  • NCCAOM has selected International Consultants of Delaware (ICD) to exclusively perform academic credential validations and assessments for NCCAOM Certification applicants who were educated outside the United States.
    ICD logo

    NCCAOM requires a course-by-course credential evaluation from International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Applicants can access the website at www.icdeval.com/nccaom/ to apply for a credential evaluation online. The application process requires that NCCAOM receive an original foreign language and an English translation of the graduate transcript. Applicants are advised to apply to sit for National Board Exams after receiving verification that the evaluation has been delivered to NCCAOM.

  • NEW: The Apprenticeship Route of eligibility for certification as a Diplomate of Acupuncture and a Diplomate of Chinese Herbology will be eliminated effective 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.

The NCCAOM wants to impart the following information to Diplomates:

  • If you have applied to take the NCCAOM Exams at any point in time, you already have an online profile with NCCAOM. Forgot your login or password? Contact NCCAOM at [email protected] or (888) 381-1140.
  • NEW: The online Recertification Application fee is $290.00 per certification program as of November 1, 2018.
    • All Diplomates are responsible for reporting their continuing education courses completed for recertification directly to their NCCAOM Online Portal. Detailed Reporting Instructions are available at: www.nccaom.org/certification/recertification-ce-reporting/.
    • NCCAOM approved PDA courses found on the PDA Search Engine are guaranteed to qualify for recertification and can be found on the NCCAOM website under “PDA Program” and then click on “PDA Search Engine”.
  • Lapsed status occurs when an application is not processed for recertification on or before the certification expiration date. To avoid lapsed status, late fees, and the incurrence of additional PDA points Diplomates must apply for recertification no later than 4 – 6 weeks prior to the certification expiration date.
  • NEW: The Inactive Application Fee is $100.00 per certification program as of January 1, 2017.

All former Diplomates in inactive status must recertify within three years of their last active certification expiration date or their certification is terminated and then must apply for reinstatement of certification to return to active Diplomate status.