The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) is a

non-profit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

that aims to "establish, assess, and promote recognized standards of competence and safety in

acupuncture Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine and a component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in which thin needles are inserted into the body. Acupuncture is a pseudoscience; the theories and practices of TCM are not based on scientif ...

and

Oriental medicine Traditional Asian medicine is a collective term for several types of traditional medicine practiced in Asia. These include the medical traditions of: * East Asia ** China *** Tibet ** Japan (Kampo) ** Korea ** Mongolia * Southeast Asia ** Camb ...

for the protection and benefit of the public."

Overview

The NCCAOM is a member of the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA). Its certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Several examinations are offered by the NCCAOM on many of the major branches, skills, and techniques of

Oriental Medicine Traditional Asian medicine is a collective term for several types of traditional medicine practiced in Asia. These include the medical traditions of: * East Asia ** China *** Tibet ** Japan (Kampo) ** Korea ** Mongolia * Southeast Asia ** Camb ...

. Most states in the US require passing of one or more of these tests in order become a

licensed A license (or licence) is an official permission or permit to do, use, or own something (as well as the document of that permission or permit). A license is granted by a party (licensor) to another party (licensee) as an element of an agreeme ...

practitioner of the associated techniques.

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...

has its own unique process for licensing handled through the State of California Acupuncture Board (SCAB).

History

The NCCAOM was established in 1982 as a

. It is governed by a Board of Commissioners with seven practitioner members and three public members. Prior to 1997, the organization was called "the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists (NCCA)". The following is quoted from the official NCCAOM website: "The first NCCAOM Comprehensive Written Examination (CWE) in Acupuncture (ACP) was given in March 1985. It was developed during a three-year period with the help of leading acupuncturists throughout the nation. During the development period the NCCAOM followed national guidelines for certification and testing in order to ensure a fair, valid, and reliable examination. The administration of the first examination was a

milestone A milestone is a numbered marker placed on a route such as a road, railway line, canal or boundary. They can indicate the distance to towns, cities, and other places or landmarks; or they can give their position on the route relative to so ...

event in the growth of the profession in the United States. The Practical Examination of Point Location Skills (PEPLS) was added as a component of NCCAOM’s Acupuncture Examination in September 1989. The Clean Needle Technique (CNT) portion was added to the acupuncture written examination two years later. The separately scored CNT examination was merged into the Comprehensive Written Examination in Acupuncture in 1998. In 1989, the profession asked the NCCAOM to develop a certification program measuring entry-level competency in the practice of Chinese

herbology Herbal medicine (also herbalism) is the study of pharmacognosy and the use of medicinal plants, which are a basis of traditional medicine. With worldwide research into pharmacology, some herbal medicines have been translated into modern remed ...

. After three years of research, the organization opened the Credentials Documentation Review (CDR) period for Certification in Chinese Herbology. The first national Comprehensive Written Examination in Chinese Herbology was given in April 1995. The NCCAOM developed a third certification program in response to requests from the profession. NCCAOM Certification in Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT) was offered in 1996 through Credentials Documentation Review. CDR for certification in Asian Bodywork Therapy closed in December 1997. The first Comprehensive Written Examination in ABT was given in October 2000. In December 2003, the NCCAOM began to offer a certification program in Oriental medicine, an umbrella program offering an applicant the opportunity to demonstrate competence in the full range of the Oriental medicine branches. Certificants of this distinct program earned the designation of Diplomate in Oriental Medicine (Dipl.OM)."http://www.nccaom.org/about/about.html

References

External links

* http://www.nccaom.org {{DEFAULTSORT:National Certification Commission For Acupuncture And Oriental Medicine 1982 establishments in Florida Acupuncture organizations Traditional Chinese medical organizations Alternative medicine organizations

Overview

History

See also

References

External links