NCCAOM UPDATES ON CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
NCCAOM is closely monitoring the impact and spread of the coronavirus in the U.S. and abroad. NCCAOM’s headquarters and operations remain unaffected by the COVID-19 outbreak. We are constantly evaluating the situation with news from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and other government sources and will provide updates as the situation evolves.
The NCCAOM has created this webpage to keep NCCAOM Stakeholders informed as the COVID-19 situation evolves. Please see the tabs below for the latest information pertaining to each stakeholder group. To contact NCCAOM regarding developments and questions concerning how the organization is affected by the Coronavirus, please contact [email protected]
NCCAOM COVID-19 Safety Statement
NCCAOM Stakeholder Updates: Coronavirus
NCCAOM Diplomate Update on COVID-19
NCCAOM Diplomates Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Updated February 5, 2021 4 PM EDT
2020 Year-End Stimulus Provides New Relief Option for Mixed Earners
As part of the federal and state efforts to provide pandemic-related unemployment assistance, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020 ( the December 2020 COVID Stimulus package) created the Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) Program to reach more self-employed individuals. The MEUC Program assists those who are ineligible for pandemic assistance by providing $100/week to qualifying earners who are both employed (via the W-2 Form) and self-employed (via the 1099 Form).
To receive MEUC Program funds, individuals must:
- Receive at least $5k in self-employment income (based on latest tax filings).
- Receive at least $1.00 of unemployment insurance in any program (excluding Pandemic Unemployment Assistance).
- Provide self-employment income documentation.
Consolidated Appropriations Act funds the MEUC Program through March 14, 2021. Check with your state’s unemployment insurance program for more information on your state’s MEUC benefit. Read more about the MEUC Program from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Check the NCCAOM COVID-19 Resource Page and the ASA COVID-19 Resource Page for more COVID-19 relief and guidance. Email [email protected] for information on the COVID-19 relief package.
To read the full Update please click here.
Past Updates
NCCAOM Diplomate Update – December 28, 2020, 10 AM EDT
NCCAOM Diplomate Update – October 1, 2020, 11 AM EDT
NCCAOM Diplomate Update – June 10, 2020, 11 AM EDT
NCCAOM Diplomate Update – April 16, 2020, 11 AM EDT
NCCAOM Diplomate Update – March 30, 2020, 11 AM EDT
Applicants Update on Coronavirus
NCCAOM Applicants Update on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Updated December 7, 2020, 5:00 PM EDT
As COVID-19 continues to surge, we want to reaffirm the Pearson Vue face mask policy across Pearson Vue U.S.-based owned and operated testing centers:
- Due to continued and growing health and safety concerns for both our test center staff and candidates, we cannot allow anyone into our test center facilities without a face mask. This includes accommodations for candidates who request to be exempt from wearing a face mask.
- All testing candidates are required to wear a face mask throughout the duration of their testing experience at Pearson VUE test centers with no exceptions.
This policy is necessary because of the direct threat COVID-19 and lack of face-covering poses to the health or safety of our test center staff and other testing candidates.
Please note – we are not able to approve any face mask exception or accommodation requests.
Thank you for your support in keeping our candidates and test center staff safe.
Below are questions and answers that may help you address any candidates who ask for an exception to our face mask policy.
Q. I have a medical condition that prevents me from wearing a face mask, can I get an exception to your mandatory face mask policy?
A. No, we’re sorry, but at this time we’re unable to allow anyone in our US test center facilities without a face mask in our effort to protect the health and safety of our staff and other testing candidates.
Q. The ADA law indicates you must give me an appropriate accommodation for my condition, aren’t you required to grant me an exemption from the face mask policy?
A. Pearson VUE is committed to providing access to testing for all individuals and provides appropriate arrangements to individuals who demonstrate a documented need; however, in the current COVID-19 environment, we are unable to provide accommodations that pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others.
Past Updates:
Announcement to Applicants – June 3, 2020
Announcement to Applicants – April, 27, 2020
Announcement to Applicants – March 23, 2020
Announcement to Applicants – March 17, 2020
Initial Cornoavirus update – March 11, 2020
PDA Providers
NCCAOM PDA Digital Badge Announcement
Updated February 4, 2021
The NCCAOM has reached another milestone for our Providers! To recognize all of you who partner with the PDA program, we are pleased to announce the latest addition of promotional services – the NCCAOM® PDA Provider Digital Badge.
NCCAOM® PDA Provider Badge is an electronic icon showcasing your membership with NCCAOM as well as a listing of your approved courses. The Badge can be posted to your website, resume, email, or any social media platform. When the icon is clicked upon, Diplomates, practitioners and the public see information about your Providership, the achieved requirements you met to become a Provider, and a listing of your approved courses. You can now enjoy maximum exposure highlighting your PDA Providership and featuring your courses.
NCCAOM PDA Newsletter
Updated January 22, 2021
Welcome to the first edition of the NCCAOM® PDA Newsletter! Our first new item in 2021 is to feature an NCCAOM PDA Provider in each issue of the PDA Newsletter. At the end of each edition, the featured Provider will be posted to the NCCAOM website.
PDA Provider Spotlight
Dan Wunderlich, DACM, Dipl. O.M. (NCCAOM)®, L.Ac., L.M.T.
NCCAOM PDA Provider #992
NCCAOM would like to congratulate NCCAOM Diplomate and PDA Provider Dan Wunderlich for his winning video submission in the NCCAOM/ ASA 2020 Acupuncture Medicine Day Video Contest. Dan’s video entitled “Bringing Acupuncture Medicine to the Underserved” was selected as the winner in the Acupuncture Accessibility and Community Engagement category. The uplifting and inspiring video highlights the medical outreach work of Global Healthworks Foundation (GHF), the not-for-profit organization Dan founded. The video can be viewed using the following link: https://tinyurl.com/GHFvideo.
This year’s annual celebration encouraged participants to reflect on the impact acupuncture treatments have within our local and international communities regarding how acupuncture practitioners can “be the voice, be the bridge, be the change” for healing in our hurting world. With its authentic volunteer commentaries and patient testimonials attesting to the far-reaching impact on more than 56,000 underserved patients, the winning video truly represents the acupuncture profession at its best!
To read full article Click Here.
PDA Provider Benefits
NCCAOM PDA Providers represent a significant achievement and commitment to the professional development of NCCAOM Board-Certified Acupuncturists and the practitioners in acupuncture medicine. PDA Providers make an important statement regarding continued professional competency that is recognized by the profession, regulatory agencies, third-party payors, and the public.
PDA Provider Benefits:
- Joining the NCCAOM as a PDA Provider is a life-time membership to the PDA program. Once approved, a unique NCCAOM PDA Provider number is issued that remains with the Provider for all time.
- As all NCCAOM Providers and courses have been reviewed and approved by the PDA program, the courses are guaranteed to qualify for NCCAOM recertification.
- The new NCCAOM CE Banking further promotes PDA Providers and their approved courses by streamlining the automated process of loading PDA points to the Diplomates NCCAOM Recertification Transcript (see article below).
- PDA Providers receive the benefit of a professional course review service that documents the quality and integrity of an AOM continuing education program.
- Coming Soon! An NCCAOM® PDA Provider Digital Badge (see right) which showcases the Provider, their initiatives in continuing education and PDA approved courses. The digital badge is designed to be used in all digital presence and profiles such as social media and websites.
- PDA Providers may utilize the NCCAOM® PDA Activity Logo (see right) that offers immediate recognition by AOM professionals of the course approval by NCCAOM.
- Discounts are available to a PDA Provider who is an Active NCCAOM Diplomate, state acupuncture associations and those companies who are a PDA approved non-profit 501(c)3 organization.
- To support our Providers, we offer Annual Discounted Review (ADR) packages where quantities of course applications may be purchased at a discounted rate.
- PDA Providers benefit from a national advertising opportunity by posting approved courses to the NCCAOM® PDA Search Engine for continuous access by Diplomates and AOM practitioners. Optional advertising services are available via the NCCAOM® PDA Course Spotlight or the NCCAOM® PDA Course Highlights.
- PDA Providers enjoy an online PDA Management System that monitors approved courses, provides an instructor database and an automated NCCAOM® PDA Certificate of Completion distribution process.
- PDA Providers receive additional recognition in states that require NCCAOM PDA courses for re-licensure.
- PDA Providers receive excellent customer service provided by the PDA Department.
CE Banking Update
As you know, in CE Banking the PDA points are automatically reported to the Diplomate’s NCCAOM® Recertification Transcript at the time the PDA Certificate is distributed by the PDA Provider. PDA Providers are being incrementally added to CE Banking after they have successfully distributed the PDA Certificate.As you know, in CE Banking the PDA points are automatically reported to the Diplomate’s NCCAOM® Recertification Transcript at the time the PDA Certificate is distributed by the PDA Provider. PDA Providers are being incrementally added to CE Banking after they have successfully distributed the PDA Certificate.
NEW My Learning
To increase Provider and Diplomate satisfaction and reduce problems, the ‘My Learning’ section has been added to the Diplomate’s Certification portal. Diplomates can access this page by clicking on the orange ‘Diplomate Benefits’ button and the ‘My Learning’ tab after logging into the Certification Portal. The Diplomate’s earned PDA Certificates are posted to their account in ‘My Learning’ after being emailed by the Provider. This new service allows the Diplomate to have easy access to their Certificates which can be downloaded or printed. This new feature will resolve issues regarding the Diplomate receiving the PDA Certificate through email increasing satisfaction and streamlining the distribution process for approved PDA Providers.
What’s New in 2020-2021?
New PDA Course Type
With the advancement in technology and the recent pandemic, the PDA staff are fast-tracking a new course type called the NCCAOM® PDA Online Advanced Acupuncture Skill Acquisition which enables PDA Providers to teach an advanced acupuncture technique over the internet. More news to follow as we move closer to implementation.
Exciting news about Phase Three! The goal of phase three is to have PDA points that are distributed by the Provider automatically be reported to the Diplomate’s NCCAOM® Recertification Transcript. This means that the Diplomate will no longer have to report the PDA course manually. The new CE Banking system is being implemented incrementally to Providers with approved courses and is planned to be completed by the end of this year. The new process has saved valuable time for Providers and PDA staff as well as increasing customer satisfaction.
NCCAOM PDA Digital Badge
To recognize our PDA Providers who partner with NCCAOM, the PDA program is pleased to announce the new NCCAOM® PDA Digital Badge. The digital badge is an electronic logo, that can be posted to your website, resume, email, or any social media site where Diplomates and practitioners can learn about your efforts in continuing education. When clicked upon, the badge will provide information about your Providership and a link to a listing of your approved course(s). We are very excited to offer this badge to our Providers!
Redesign of the PDA Portion of the NCCAOM Website
In our continued effort to make information more accessible and to further market our approved PDA Providers and Courses, we have reorganized and updated the PDA portion of the NCCAOM website. Under the main Education tab, we have created a “PDA Provider Home Page” that houses all the information for Providers. We have developed new and more detailed step-by-step instructions on how to apply for live and distance learning applications, how to renew a course and steps to distribute the PDA Certificate.
PDA Tool Kit and Resource Center
The NCCAOM® PDA Handbook is extensive and so much of the important information is lost in it! So, to help access information faster, we have created the ‘PDA Tool Kit’ that house many ‘How To’ documents and links to resources. Lastly, we brought all the forms, applications, fee schedule and handbooks to one location call the ‘PDA Resource Center’. This is just the beginning! We have more plans to add resources for our Providers under the Education tab. We encourage you to explore the new Education tab.
To view the full update please click here.
Past Updates:
PDA Digital Badge Announcement – February 4, 2021
PDA Newsletter – January 22, 2021
Announcement to PDA Providers – September 18, 2020
Announcement to PDA Providers – June 10, 2020
Announcement to CCAOM and Schools Regarding the Coronavirus Outbreak
NCCAOM Announcement to CCAOM and Schools
Regarding the Coronavirus Outbreak
Updated November 19, 2020, 2 PM EDT
Based on current information concerning the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic and the severe impact on educational institutions, administrators, faculty members and students, the NCCAOM has reviewed and decided to implement an immediate extension of the COVID NCCAOM Exception for students who will graduate in 2021. The extension will expire on December 31, 2021.
NCCAOM Examination Schedule
If Pearson VUE test centers should close, the NCCAOM has worked with Pearson VUE to ensure the NCCAOM National Board Exams are deemed essential to the profession and the communities we serve. This designation will allow NCCAOM to offer continuous testing during restrictions by allowing candidates to test in designated test centers throughout the country. Please go to the COVID-19 Pearson VUE test center updates page for the latest information on test center closures. We will also update you regularly based on the decisions made by Pearson VUE.
Graduating Student Assistance
Understanding the difficult situation that many 2021 graduating students will face in light of interruptions to on-campus and in-person educational activities, the NCCAOM will continue working with ACAHM-approved and ACAHM-candidate school administrators to provide the temporary exception for all students graduating between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021. By continuing to make this option available, we hope to expedite the graduate’s opportunity to obtain a state license during this challenging time. It is important to note that the candidate will not become NCCAOM- certified until they have successfully passed all required NCCAOM exams, the school has submitted their (the student’s) official graduation transcript, and the NCCAOM has received the CNT certificate of completion from CCAHM.
The NCCAOM will continue to only work directly with school administrators and will not grant this exception directly to any student. This exception is temporary due to the current situation and will now end December 31, 2021.
- Each ACAHM School is to complete the ACAHM School Temporary Exception Form and upload list of graduates.
- Each student will receive an email invitation to submit an NCCAOM application no earlier than 60 days prior to their anticipated graduation date as provided by the school in their uploaded document.
- After the NCCAOM certification application is submitted, the student’s name will appear on the School’s Portal.
- The school official will then upload the student’s transcript and the NCCAOM® Student Graduation Verification Form. The two documents must be uploaded as one file.
Please contact Olga Cox for any questions you may have at [email protected]. We extend our best wishes to all administrators, faculty, staff and students during this global crisis.
If you have any questions, call (888) 381-1140 or email [email protected].
To view the full update please click here.
School Administratior Resources
Past Updates:
Announcement to State Regulators Regarding the Coronavirus Outbreak
NCCAOM Announcement to State Regulators
Regarding the Coronavirus Outbreak
Updated December 17, 2020, 4:00 PM EDT
Based on current information concerning the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic and the severe impact on our communities, the NCCAOM is continuing its efforts to support applicants and Diplomates in these unprecedented times. We are confident in the resilience of our community and know that we will weather this crisis together.
The NCCAOM has worked with Pearson VUE to ensure the NCCAOM National Board Exams are deemed essential to the profession and the communities we serve. This designation allows NCCAOM to offer continuous testing during restrictions by allowing candidates to test in designated test centers throughout the country.
NCCAOM will continue working with ACAOM-approved and ACAOM-candidate school administrators to provide the temporary exception for all students graduating between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021. By continuing to make this option available, we hope to expedite the graduate’s opportunity to obtain a state license during this challenging time.
The NCCAOM staff in Washington, DC, is working remotely since the pandemic announcement and we are 100 percent operational. Our Professional Ethics and Disciplinary Review (PEDR) Committee is ready to assist you should any issues arise.
In addition, the NCCAOM in collaboration with American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA) is continuing to host Town Halls on as needed basis with professional and legislative updates on the CARES Act. Please visit our Town Halls Recording page.
NCCAOM appreciates our partnership with state regulatory agencies and will continue to work together with your office and all our stakeholders during this national crisis. We will communicate with you as situations change during the coming weeks. Our best wishes to all state agencies and their staff during this critical time.
If you have any questions, call (888) 381-1140 or email [email protected].
To view the full update please click here.
Past Updates:
Announcement to State Acupuncture Regulatory Board – April 27, 2020
Announcement to State Acupuncture Regulatory Board – March 17, 2020