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Continuing Education Requirements
The Board believes that careful oversight of its continuing education requirements is important in implementing its mission and goals. Continuing education is a means for practitioners to stay abreast of current knowledge, practices and regulations -- thereby providing better services to consumers.
The license renewal fee is $325 every two (2) years. In order to continue to practice acupuncture, you must submit the renewal fee with the application mailed to you before the expiration date. IT IS ILLEGAL TO PRACTICE WITH AN EXPIRED LICENSE. Licensees found to be practicing with an expired license are subject to disciplinary action. Additionally, a delinquent fee of $25.00 will be added to your renewal fee if not paid by the expiration date.
All acupuncturists renewing their license are required to complete and list 50 hours of board-approved continuing education courses on their renewal application and sign under penalty of perjury. Up to 50% of the continuing education requirement may be completed through distance education (online courses, correspondence courses, etc.) In addition, no more than five (5) hours of continuing education may be earned for issues unrelated to clinical matters or the actual provision of health care to patients.
Each acupuncturist is required to retain records of all continuing education courses attended for a minimum of four (4) years. If an initial license has been issued for less than two (2) years, below is the number of board-approved continuing education hours that must be handed in based on the number of months the license was issued:
| Period of Initial Licensure | Required CE Hours |
|---|---|
| 13 to 16 months | 35 |
| 17 to 20 months | 40 |
| 21 to 23 months | 45 |
If a licensee is not currently practicing in California and wishes to place his or her license on "Inactive Status," he or she must contact the Board. Inactive licensees are required to submit the same renewal fee amount as 'active' licensees ($325 for a 2-year renewal period); however 'inactive' licensees are not required to complete the CE requirement (C.C.R. Title 16, section 1399.489.1). If the licensee would like to reactivate the license, he or she must contact the Board in order to determine the number of CE Unit hours and the fee required to be submitted before the license can become active.
A license (active or inactive) which is not renewed within three (3) years of its expiration date WILL NOT BE RENEWED. A new license will not be issued until the licensee has retaken the examination and paid all necessary fees.
Section 30 of the Business and Professions Code and Public Law 94-455 (42 USCA 405 (c) (2) (c)) authorize collection of your Social Security Number (SSN). Your SSN will be used exclusively for tax enforcement purposes, and/or for purposes of compliance with any judgment or order for family support. If you fail to disclose your SSN, your application for renewal license will not be processed AND you will be reported to the Franchise Tax Board. Please make sure your SSN stated below is accurate; please make changes only it if is wrong or if the area is blank.
