Quick Hits
Related Links
License Renewal Information
The license to practice acupuncture must be renewed every two years. When an initial license is issued, the fee is prorated and the license is issued for a period of 13-24 months in order to place the license in the birthdate renewal cycle. The expiration date is the last day of the licensee's birth month. A renewal notice is sent to the licensee approximately two months before the expiration date (Business & Professions Code 4965, 4969, 4970, California Code of Regulations, Title 16, section 1399.460)
The license renewal fee is $325 every two (2) years. In order to continue to practice acupuncture, you must submit your renewal fee with the application 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 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 you are not currently practicing in California and wish to place your license on "Inactive Status," you must contact the Board. Pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 701, you must have a current active license before you can place your license on an 'inactive' status. Inactive licenses 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 to complete the CE requirement (California Code of Regulations, Title 16, section 1399.489.1). To reactivate your license, you must contact the Board in order to determine the number of CE hours and the fee that you will be required to submit before your license can become active.
