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Acupuncture Training Requirements: States with Independent Hour/Credit Floors vs. WHO Benchmarks (Groebner)
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Prepared by Dr. Rebecca Groebner, DAc, LAc. Sources: WHO Benchmarks for Training of Acupuncture (2020); state statutes and admin rules as cited. Only states with independently stated hour/credit minimums in statute or admin rules are shown. † DE: equivalency pathway floor. * WY: tutorial pathway only. ‡ NY: 4,050 figure is blended academic hours (includes out-of-class study time) — see NY Notes column for contact-hour analysis. OH: floor stated in application materials only, not codified. WA hours converted at 10 contact hrs/QC, 15 contact hrs/SC (conservative instructional clock-hour standard).
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Training Domain / Subject AreaWHO Basic Level
(Full Training)
Clock Hours		WHO Advanced Level
(Full Training)
Clock Hours		ACAHM MAc
(Acupuncture only, 3 yr)
Clock Hours		ACAHM MAcCHM
(with Oriental Medicine, 4 yr)
Clock Hours		California
(16 CCR §1399.434)
Clock Hours		Nevada
(NAC 634A.080)
Clock Hours		Florida
(§457.105;
Rule 64B1-4.001)
Clock Hours		Arkansas
(§17-102;
Admin Rules)
Clock Hours		New Jersey
(N.J.A.C. 13:35-9.4)
Clock Hours		New Mexico
(16.2.7.8 NMAC)
Clock Hours		Hawaii
(HAR §16-72-14)
Clock Hours		Illinois
(225 ILCS §2; §1140.40)
Clock Hours		Virginia
(18VAC85-110-50)
Clock Hours		Rhode Island
(§5-37.2-12.1)
Clock Hours		Massachusetts
(Mass. Licensing Reqs.)
Clock Hours		North Dakota
(NDAC 112-04-01-02)
Clock Hours / Credits		Missouri
(20 CSR 2015-4.020)
Clock Hours / Credits		Connecticut
(§20-206bb)
Clock Hours		Wyoming*
(Ch.4 Tutorial Program)
Clock Hours		Texas
(§205.206;
Rule §183.4)
Clock Hours		West Virginia
(§30-36-10)
Clock Hours		Maryland
(§1A-302;
COMAR 10.26.02)
Clock Hours		Kentucky
(KRS 311.674)
Clock Hours		Delaware†
(Admin Rule §5.0)
Clock Hours		Vermont
(Admin Rules §2.3)
Clock Hours		Nebraska
(§38-2060;
172 NAC 89)
Clock Hours		Idaho
(IDAPA 24.17.01,
§100.01)
Clock Hours		Ohio†
(Application Materials)
Clock Hours		New York‡
(NYSED Subpart 79-2)
Contact Hours
(see Note ‡)		Washington State
(RCW 18.06.050;
WAC 246-803)
Clock Hours (conv.)		Maine
(32 M.R.S. §12512)
Clock Hours		Montana
(MCA §37-13-302)
Clock Hours
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ADMISSION PREREQUISITESSecondary education
completed (Grade 12)		Secondary education
completed (Grade 12)		60 semester credits
undergraduate coursework
(REQUIRED — graduate-level
entry only)		60 semester credits
undergraduate coursework
(REQUIRED — graduate-level
entry only)		None specified
in statute		None specified
in rules		None specified
in statute		60 semester credits
undergrad (incl. 30 SC
science) REQUIRED		None specifiedNone specifiedNone specifiedNone specified
in statute		None specifiedNone specifiedNone specifiedNone specified
in rules		None specified
in rules		60 semester hours
undergraduate
coursework REQUIRED		None in statute;
ACOAM program
enrollment required
(tutorial pathway)		None specifiedNone specifiedNone specifiedNone specifiedNone specifiedNone specifiedNone specifiedNone specified
(one of two pathways)		None specified
in statute		None specifiedNone specified
in WAC
(no floor)		None specifiedNone specified
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CREDENTIAL LEVEL REQUIREDNone specifiedNone specifiedGraduate degree
(Master's minimum;
Grad PLUS loans apply)		Graduate degree
(Master's minimum;
Grad PLUS loans apply)		None specified
in statute		Bachelor's degree
required (statute);
4-year program required		None specified;
4-year program
required		None specified;
4 academic years
minimum required		None specifiedNone specified;
4-year program
required		Certificate or diploma
sufficient; no degree req.		None specifiedNone specifiedNone specifiedNone specifiedGraduate degree
program required
(residential)		None specified;
3 academic years min.		None specified;
60 SC undergrad prereq		None specifiedNone specified;
6 terms × 4 months
(≈2 yrs) residence		None specifiedNone specifiedNone specified;
All hrs from ACAOM
approved program		None specified
(equivalency pathway)		None specified;
27 months minimum
attendance required		None specifiedNone specifiedNone specified
in statute		None specifiedNone specified
in WAC		None specifiedNone specified;
ACHAM-accredited
in practice
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ACUPUNCTURE SCIENCES
7
Introduction / History of Acupuncture16.032.0Incl. in
705 hrs		Incl. in
705+ hrs		Incl. in
~1,255 hrs AOM		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalNot sep. specified
(defers to ACAHM
for didactic)		Incl. in totalIncl. in
1,100 didactic		Incl. in
1,515 academic		Incl. in 795 hrs
(3-yr track)		Incl. in
1,155 didactic		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in 705 hrs
oriental theory/tx		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in 700 hrs
oriental medical theory		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in 600
classroom contact hrs
(acu content)		Incl. in
~750 hrs
E.Asian med		Incl. in
1,000 classroom		Incl. in
1,000 total
8
Meridians & Acupoints128.0144.0Incl. in
705 hrs		Incl. in
705+ hrs		Incl. in
~1,255 hrs AOM		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalNot sep. specified
(defers to ACAHM)		Incl. in totalIncl. in
1,100 didactic		Incl. in
1,515 academic		Incl. in 795 hrs
(3-yr track; point
location named)		Incl. in
1,155 didactic		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in 705 hrsIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in 700 hrs
oriental medical theory		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in 600
classroom contact hrs		Incl. in
~750 hrs
E.Asian med		Incl. in
1,000 classroom		Incl. in
1,000 total
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Acupuncture Skills & Techniques128.0144.0Incl. in
705 hrs		Incl. in
705+ hrs		Incl. in
~1,255 hrs AOM		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalNot sep. specified
(defers to ACAHM)		Incl. in totalIncl. in
1,100 didactic		Incl. in
1,515 academic		Incl. in 795 hrs
(technique named
as subtopic)		Incl. in
1,155 didactic		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in 705 hrsIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in 700 hrs
oriental medical theory		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in 600
classroom contact hrs		Incl. in
~750 hrs
E.Asian med		Incl. in
1,000 classroom		Incl. in
1,000 total
10
Acupuncture Therapeutics / Clinical App.208.0256.0Incl. in
705 hrs		Incl. in
705+ hrs		Incl. in
~1,255 hrs AOM		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalNot sep. specified
(defers to ACAHM)		Incl. in totalIncl. in
1,100 didactic		Incl. in
1,515 academic		Incl. in 795 hrs
(formula named
as subtopic)		Incl. in
1,155 didactic		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in 705 hrsIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in 700 hrs
oriental medical theory		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in 600
classroom contact hrs		Incl. in
~750 hrs
E.Asian med		Incl. in
1,000 classroom		Incl. in
1,000 total
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Acupuncture Subtotal480 hrs864 hrs705 hrs
(acu sciences + E.Asian
med combined)		705+ hrs
(acu sciences + E.Asian
med combined; herbal
adds to total)		~1,255 hrs AOM
(acu sciences + E.Asian
med combined; incl.
herb-drug interactions)		Not broken out
(incl. in 2,500 didactic)		Not broken out
(incl. in 2,700 total)		Not independently
specified; defers to
ACAHM for didactic
curriculum standards		Not broken out
(incl. in 2,500 total)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,100 didactic)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,515 academic)		3-yr: 795 hrs
theory/treatment
(history, basics, dx,
formula, point location,
technique subtopics)
4-yr: higher		Incl. in
1,155 didactic
(acu + biomed combined)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,905 total)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,905 total)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,905 hrs
or 105 credits)		705 hrs oriental
medical theory,
diagnosis, treatment
(acu + E.Asian combined)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,905 total)		Not broken out
(incl. in ~1,050 didactic)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,800 total;
+450 herbal in rules)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,500
non-clinical hrs)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,500
non-clinical hrs)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,500
non-clinical hrs)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,500
non-clinical hrs)		700 hrs oriental
medical theory
(includes acu sciences
+ E.Asian combined)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,000 didactic)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,000 didactic)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,000 didactic;
app. materials only)		600 classroom
contact hrs
(acupuncture content)
→1,800 blended
at 2:1 study ratio		~750 hrs E.Asian med
(acu + E.Asian combined;
75 QC × 10 hrs/QC)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,000 classroom)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,000 total)
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TRADITIONAL CHINESE / EAST ASIAN MEDICINE
13
Basic Theory (Yin/Yang, Five Elements...)96.0128.0Incl. in
705 hrs		Incl. in
705+ hrs		Incl. in
~1,255 hrs AOM		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalNot sep. specified
(defers to ACAHM)		Incl. in totalIncl. in
1,100 didactic		Incl. in
1,515 academic		Incl. in 795 hrs
(basics/theory named
as subtopic)		Incl. in
1,155 didactic		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in 705 hrs
oriental theory/tx		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in 700 hrs
oriental medical theory		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in 600
classroom contact hrs		Incl. in
~750 hrs
E.Asian med		Incl. in
1,000 classroom		Incl. in
1,000 total
14
TCM/AOM Diagnostics (four methods)96.0128.0Incl. in
705 hrs		Incl. in
705+ hrs		Incl. in
~1,255 hrs AOM		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalNot sep. specified
(defers to ACAHM)		Incl. in totalIncl. in
1,100 didactic		Incl. in
1,515 academic		Incl. in 795 hrs
(dx named as subtopic)		Incl. in
1,155 didactic		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in 705 hrs
oriental theory/tx		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in 700 hrs
oriental medical theory		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in 600
classroom contact hrs		Incl. in
~750 hrs
E.Asian med		Incl. in
1,000 classroom		Incl. in
1,000 total
15
Chinese Herbal Medicine——Not required
(MAc only)		REQUIRED
(~450 hrs herbal
incl. in MAOM total)		Required: 450 hrs
(incl. in ~1,255 AOM)		Not specifiedNot specifiedRequired (§17-102
testing includes
Chinese herbal med.)		Not specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot separately
specified		Not specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot separately
specified		Not specifiedNot specified450 hrs Chinese
herbal medicine
(required in rules)		Not specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot separately
specified		Not specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot req.
(acupuncture lic.)		Not specifiedNot specified
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E. Asian Med Subtotal192 hrs432 hrsCombined w/ acu
(705 hrs total)		Combined w/ acu;
herbal adds ~450 hrs
to E.Asian total		Combined w/ acu
(~1,255 hrs total AOM)		Not broken out
(incl. in 2,500 didactic)		Not broken out
(incl. in 2,700 total)		Not independently
specified; defers to
ACAHM for didactic		Not broken out
(incl. in 2,500 total)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,100 didactic)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,515 academic)		Combined w/ acu
(3-yr: 795 hrs total)		Combined w/ acu in
1,155 didactic hrs		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,905 total)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,905 total)		Not broken out
(incl. in total)		Combined w/ acu
(705 hrs total)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,905 total)		Not broken out
(incl. in ~1,050 didactic)		Not broken out;
herbal 450 hrs in rules		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,500
non-clinical hrs)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,500
non-clinical hrs)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,500
non-clinical hrs)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,500
non-clinical hrs)		Combined w/ acu
(700 hrs total)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,000 didactic)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,000 didactic)		Not broken out
(app. materials only)		Combined w/ acu
in 600 contact hrs		Combined w/ acu
(~750 hrs total)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,000 classroom)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,000 total)
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BIOMEDICAL / BASIC SCIENCES
18
Anatomy (incl. acupoint location)128.0144.0Incl. in
450 hrs biomed		Incl. in
~450 hrs biomed		Incl. in
~350 hrs basic sci		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in
1,000 classroom		Incl. in totalIncl. in
1,100 didactic		Incl. in
1,515 academic		Incl. in biomed total
(detailed 4-yr track:
600 hrs biomed)		Incl. in
1,155 didactic		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in
450 hrs biomed		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in
225 hrs biomed		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in 200
classroom contact hrs
(biosciences)		Incl. in
~450 hrs basic sci		Incl. in
1,000 classroom		Incl. in
1,000 total
19
Physiology64.064.0Incl. in
450 hrs biomed		Incl. in
~450 hrs biomed		Incl. in
~350 hrs basic sci		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in
1,000 classroom		Incl. in totalIncl. in
1,100 didactic		Incl. in
1,515 academic		Incl. in biomed totalIncl. in
1,155 didactic		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in
450 hrs biomed		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in
225 hrs biomed		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in 200
classroom contact hrs		Incl. in
~450 hrs basic sci		Incl. in
1,000 classroom		Incl. in
1,000 total
20
Pathology / Pathophysiology64.064.0Incl. in
450 hrs biomed		Incl. in
~450 hrs biomed		Incl. in
~350 hrs basic sci		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in
1,000 classroom		Incl. in totalIncl. in
1,100 didactic		Incl. in
1,515 academic		Incl. in biomed totalIncl. in
1,155 didactic		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in
450 hrs biomed		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in
225 hrs biomed		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in 200
classroom contact hrs		Incl. in
~450 hrs basic sci		Incl. in
1,000 classroom		Incl. in
1,000 total
21
Diagnostics / Clinical Medicine96.096.0Incl. in
450 hrs biomed		Incl. in
~450 hrs biomed		240 hrs
(separate domain)		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in
1,000 classroom		Incl. in totalIncl. in
1,100 didactic		Incl. in
1,515 academic		Incl. in biomed totalIncl. in
1,155 didactic		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in
450 hrs biomed		Incl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in totalIncl. in
225 hrs biomed		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in
1,000 didactic		Incl. in 200
classroom contact hrs		Incl. in
~450 hrs basic sci		Incl. in
1,000 classroom		Incl. in
1,000 total
22
Biomedical Subtotal416 hrs528 hrs450 hrs~450 hrs~350 basic sci
+240 clinical med
=~590 hrs total		Not broken out
(incl. in 2,500 didactic)		Not broken out
(incl. in 2,700 total)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,000 classroom)		Not broken out
(incl. in 2,500 total)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,100 didactic)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,515 academic)		3-yr: incl. in 1,905
4-yr: 600 hrs biomed
(most detailed spec.
reviewed)		Incl. in
1,155 didactic
(combined w/ acu)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,905 total)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,905 total)		Not broken out
(incl. in total)		450 hrs biomedical
clinical sciences		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,905 total)		Not broken out
(incl. in ~1,050 didactic)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,800 total)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,500
non-clinical hrs)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,500
non-clinical hrs)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,500
non-clinical hrs)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,500
non-clinical hrs)		225 hrs biomedical
sciences (minimum)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,000 didactic)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,000 didactic)		Not broken out
(app. materials only)		200 classroom
contact hrs (biosciences)
→600 blended
at 2:1 study ratio		~450 hrs basic sci
(45 QC × 10 hrs/QC)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,000 classroom)		Not broken out
(incl. in 1,000 total)
23
CLINICAL SUPERVISED PRACTICE
24
Supervised Clinical Hours (total)400 hrs500 hrs660 hrs total~660 hrs total
(same clinical floor
as MAc)		950 hrs totalNot sep. specified
(incl. in 3,000 total)		Not sep. specified
(rule 64B1-4.0015
defines supervision
in detail)		800 hrs supervised
clinical practice
(statutory explicit floor)		Not sep. specified
(incl. in 2,500 total)		900 hrs clinical
(minimum)		660 hrs total
(minimum)		660 hrs clinical
(both tracks)		660 hrs clinical
(minimum)		Not broken out
(separate internship
req. in rules)		Min. 100 hrs
supervised Dx
and treatment		Not broken out
(incl. in total)		660 hrs
clinical training		660 hrs clinical
(post–Oct. 2012)
500 hrs clinical
(pre–Oct. 2012)		800 hrs clinical
(tutorial pathway
minimum)		Not sep. specified
(incl. in 1,800 total)		300 hrs clinical
(minimum;
lowest clinical floor
reviewed)		300 hrs clinical
(minimum)		300 hrs clinical
(minimum)		300 hrs clinical
(equivalency pathway)		800 hrs supervised
clinical (minimum)		500 hrs clinical
(minimum)		500 hrs clinical
(minimum)		500 hrs clinical
(application
materials only)		650 supervised
clinical contact hrs
(minimum)
→975 blended		500 hrs total
(WAC 246-803-230)		300 hrs clinical
(minimum)		Not separately
specified
25
 — Observation hoursincl.incl.150 hrs
observation		150 hrs
observation		150 hrs
observation		Not specifiedFirst 200 hrs
= observation		Not broken outNot specifiedNot broken outNot broken outNot broken outClassroom prep
adjacent to clinical
may count		Not specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot broken outNot broken outNot broken outNot specifiedNot broken outNot broken outNot broken outNot broken outNot broken outNot broken outNot broken outNot broken outNot broken out
from 650 total		Max 100 hrs
observation		Not broken outNot specified
26
 — Direct patient treatment400 hrs
(all direct treatment)		500 hrs
(all direct treatment)		500 hrs internship
(+250 patient
treatments required)		500 hrs internship
(+250 patient
treatments required)		275 hrs Dx/eval
+275 hrs Tx
+275 supervised Tx		Not specifiedAfter 200 obs hrs;
details in rule
64B1-4.0015		Not broken outNot specifiedNot broken outNot broken outNot broken outNot broken outNot specified100 hrs min.
supervised Dx/Tx		Not specifiedNot broken outNot broken outNot broken outNot specifiedNot broken outNot broken outNot broken outNot broken out250 student-performed
treatments required
(incl. in 800 hrs)		Not broken outNot broken outNot broken out650 supervised
contact hrs
(generates 325 study hrs
at 0.5:1 clinical ratio)		Min 400 hrs
direct treatment		Not broken outNot specified
27
Clinical Subtotal400 hrs500 hrs660 hrs~660 hrs950 hrsNot sep. specifiedNot sep. specified800 hrs
(only independently
specified floor)		Not sep. specified900 hrs660 hrs660 hrs660 hrsNot broken out100 hrs min.
(full breakdown
not specified)		Not broken out660 hrs660 hrs
(post-10/2012)
500 hrs
(pre-10/2012)		800 hrsNot sep. specified300 hrs300 hrs300 hrs300 hrs800 hrs500 hrs500 hrs500 hrs650 hrs contact
(975 hrs blended)		500 hrs300 hrsNot sep. specified
28
PROFESSIONAL / OTHER AREAS
29
Laws, Regulations & Ethics80.0144.090 hrs
(counseling, ethics,
practice mgmt)		~90 hrs
(counseling, ethics,
practice mgmt)		45 hrs practice mgmt
+90 hrs case mgmt
+30 hrs prof. dev		Not specifiedNot broken outNot specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot broken out
(incl. in total)		Incl. in total;
90 hrs flexible		Not specifiedNot specifiedNot specified90 hrs
(counseling, practice
mgmt, etc.)		Not specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot separately specified
(incl. in total)		Not specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot separately specified
(~675 blended hrs
unaccounted in rule)		Not separately
enumerated in WAC		Not specifiedNot specified
30
Other Subtotal80 hrs144 hrs90 hrs~90 hrs~205 hrsNot specifiedNot broken outNot specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot broken out90 hrs flexible
(didactic or clinical)		Not specifiedNot specifiedNot specified90 hrsNot specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot specifiedNot separately specifiedNot specified225 hrs flexibleNot specifiedNot separately specifiedNot separately
enumerated in WAC		Not specifiedNot specified
31
GRAND TOTAL (clock hours)1,568 hrs
(WHO Basic Level
full training standard)		2,468 hrs
(WHO Advanced Level
standalone specialist)		1,905 hrs
(exceeds WHO Basic;
below WHO Advanced)
+ 60 cr. undergrad prereq		~2,625 hrs
(exceeds WHO Advanced)
+ 60 cr. undergrad prereq
(adds ~720 hrs herbal
over MAc)		3,000 hrs
(2,050 didactic
+950 clinical)
Highest U.S. floor;
exceeds WHO Advanced		3,000 total hrs
(min. 2,500 didactic)
Highest admin rule floor;
exceeds WHO Advanced		2,700 hrs
(supervised instruction)
2nd highest U.S. floor;
exceeds WHO Advanced		800 clinical hrs floor
(only independently stated
hour floor; didactic defers
to ACAHM) = 2625 hours
+4-year program
+60 SC undergrad prereq		2,500 hrs
Independent floor
above ACAHM min.;
exceeds WHO Advanced		2,400 clock hrs
(1,100 didactic
+900 clinical)
4-year program req.		2,175 hrs total
(1,515 academic
+660 clinical)
(eff. Sept. 1, 2000)		3-yr track: 1,905 hrs
4-yr track: 2,625 hrs
Most detailed state
curriculum spec. reviewed		1,905 hrs total
(1,155 didactic
+660 clinical
+90 flexible)
(post-Feb. 1, 2011)		1,905 hrs
(stated directly
in statute;
no subject breakdown)		1,905 hrs
(clinical and didactic;
min. 100 supervised
Dx/Tx hrs)		1,905 hrs / 105 credits
(graduate degree req.;
residential program)		1,905 hrs
(or 105 sem. credits)
(705 E.Asian+Acu
+450 biomed
+660 clinical+90 other)		1,905 hrs (660 clinical)
post–Oct. 2012
[Pre-10/2012: 1,350 hrs
(500 clinical)]
+60 SC undergrad prereq		1,850 hrs total
(800 clinical
+~1,050 didactic)
*Tutorial pathway ONLY;
no floor for primary pathway		1,800 instructional hrs
(statutory)
+450 herbal hrs (rules)
=2,250 hrs if combined		1,800 hrs total
(300 clinical)
Lowest clinical floor
reviewed		1,800 hrs total
(300 clinical)
Confirmed in statute
and admin rule (COMAR)		1,800 hrs total
(300 clinical)
Lowest explicit floor
among strict-ACAOM states		1,800 hrs total
(300 clinical)
†Equivalency pathway;
current ACAOM grads
subject to ACAOM standards		1,725 hrs total
(700 E.Asian theory
+225 biomed
+800 clinical)
Independent of ACAHM		1,725 hrs total
(1,000 didactic
+500 clinical)
Floor in both statute
and rules definition		1,725 hrs total
(1,000 didactic
+500 clinical
+225 flexible)
One of two pathways		1,725 hrs total
(1,000 didactic
+500 clinical)
†Application materials only;
not in statute or rules		~1,450–1,700 contact hrs‡
(4,050 blended academic
hrs per NYSED rule)
‡ See Notes — NOT comparable
to contact-hour floors		~1,700 hrs total
(converted: 10 hrs/QC,
15 hrs/SC; 2 academic
yrs didactic+500 clinical)
Meets WHO Basic		1,300 hrs total
(1,000 classroom
+300 clinical)
Lowest independent
hour floor reviewed;
BELOW WHO Basic		1,000 hrs minimum
(lowest explicit
statutory floor reviewed)
BELOW WHO Basic
32
NOTES & CAVEATSWHO states training should
be competency-based;
adaptation expected per
trainee background.		Advanced level = standalone
specialist practitioner
per WHO Glossary.		Graduate-level entry req.
= Grad PLUS loans only.
Higher student debt burden.
Only ACAHM-accredited
schools can offer.
Herbal NOT included.		Adds ~720 hrs of herbal
medicine content over MAc.
Same clinical floor as MAc.
Graduate-level entry req.
= Grad PLUS loans only.
Only ACAHM schools can offer.		Own state exam (CALE).
No NCCAOM required.
Highest independent floor.
No prereqs or degree req.
in statute.		Bachelor's degree required —
highest credential req.
reviewed. No independent
clinical hour floor. Tied
with CA for highest total.		Rule 64B1-4.0015 defines
'supervised instruction'
in detail: 200 obs hrs
then direct treatment.
Exceeds WHO Advanced.		Only clinical hrs floor
is independently stated
(800 hrs). Didactic defers
to ACAHM. 60 SC undergrad
prereq. Herbal req. in exam.Given that this requires a floor of MAcHM, which is 2625 hours with a clinical total of 660, we just add the 140 clinical hours and we end up with a total of 2765 hours. 		No subject area breakdown
in rules. Independent floor
above ACAHM minimum.
Exceeds WHO Advanced level.		High clinical floor (900 hrs).
4-year program required.
Between WHO Basic &
WHO Advanced level.		Pre-9/1/2000: 1,056 hrs
min. Current floor exceeds
WHO Basic level.		Most detailed independent
curriculum spec. reviewed.
Both tracks exceed WHO
Basic. 4-yr track exceeds
WHO Advanced.		Pre-Feb. 2011: different
tier system. 90 flexible
hrs can be didactic or
clinical. Exceeds WHO Basic.		1,905-hr floor stated
directly in statute.
Separate clinical
internship req. in rules.
Exceeds WHO Basic.		Floor stated in state
licensing requirements.
100-hr supervised Dx/Tx
min. is the only clinical
specification. Exceeds WHO Basic.		Graduate degree required —
creates higher access
barrier and debt load.
Exceeds WHO Basic level.		One of few states with
detailed subject breakdown.
Credit-or-hour equivalent
alternative. Exceeds WHO Basic.		60 SC undergrad prereq
is notable access barrier.
Pre-2012 floor was 1,350 hrs.
Exceeds WHO Basic.		*Tutorial program only.
Primary pathway has no
independent hour floor.
Exceeds WHO Basic.		Herbal 450-hr req. in rules
is notable addition. Statute
requires 6 terms × 4 months
residence. Exceeds WHO Basic.		300-hr clinical floor is
lowest clinical minimum
reviewed. Same total (1,800)
as MD, KY, DE. Exceeds
WHO Basic.		Confirmed in both statute
(§1A-302) and COMAR
admin rule. Exceeds
WHO Basic level.		Lowest explicit floor
among strict ACAOM-
pathway states. All hours
must be from ACAOM
approved program.		† Floor stated for ACAOM
equivalency (2009 provision).
Current ACAOM grads subject
to ACAOM standards.
Exceeds WHO Basic.		Detailed independent spec.
Independent of ACAHM.
27-month minimum
attendance. 250 student-
performed Tx required.		Floor stated in both
statute (§38-2060) and
'board approved school'
rules definition.
Exceeds WHO Basic.		One of two pathways.
Other pathway: NCCAOM
certification. 225 flexible
hrs. Exceeds WHO Basic.		† Floor in application
materials ONLY — not in
statute or admin rules.
Vulnerable to change w/o
rulemaking. Exceeds WHO Basic.		‡ NY BLENDED HOURS NOTE:
4,050 'blended academic hrs'
includes out-of-class study
time (2:1 ratio classroom;
0.5:1 ratio clinical).
Actual contact floor:
~1,450–1,700 hrs
(biosciences: 200 classroom;
acu content: 600 classroom;
clinical: 650 supervised
= 1,450 min. contact hrs).
NOT comparable to CA (3,000
contact hrs) or WA (~1,700
contact hrs). The 4,050 is
a different measurement
convention entirely.		Credit hrs converted at
10 contact hrs/QC,
15 contact hrs/SC
(conservative standard).
No total clock-hr floor
in WAC text.		BELOW WHO Basic level
(WHO Basic = 1,568 hrs).		Lowest explicit statutory
hour floor. In practice
ACAHM-accredited programs
required, raising effective
floor. BELOW WHO Basic.
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