Washington, DC

Effective in July 2004, legislation of acupuncture in the District of Columbia was modified via a bill that was introduced in 2003 to establish legislation for the practice of naturopathic medicine in DC. This was the vehicle through which the requirement for physician collaboration was eliminated.

Original acupuncture regulations can be viewed by clicking here.

The update to the legislation can be viewed by doing the following:

Go to: http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/
Select LEGISLATION AND LAWS
Select LIMS
Select View Status of Bill or Resolution
Enter B15-0057 and it will display:
        "PRACTICE OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE LICENSING AMENDMENT
         ACT OF 2003"
Legislation #:     B15-0057
Act/Res #:          A15-0419
Law #:                L15-172

Expiration Date: None
Enactment/Action Date: Wednesday, May 05, 2004
Effective Date: Thursday, July 08, 2004

Introduction: the original bill as introduced to the DC Council
Committee Report: Lists notes of the hearing and all who testified
Engrossment: A modification of the bill
Enrollment: The new legislation

It was the amendment of this bill that eliminated the physician collaboration requirement under the previous legislation. The text of this Act specifically states, "A licensed acupuncturist does not need to enter into a collaboration agreement with a licensed physician or osteopath to practice acupuncture." This same act also protected and upheld the high standards that we have come to expect in the Chinese Medical profession. In the "Practice of Naturopathic Medicine Licensing Amendment Act of 2004", the DC Acupuncture Society was able to successfully amend the Scope of Practice in the act, to read "The term "practice of naturopathic medicine" does not include the practices of physical therapy, physical rehabilitation, acupuncture, or chiropractic.".

LICENSE APPLICATION

To apply for a license in the District of Columbia, follow these steps. Go to:
http://hpla.doh.dc.gov/hpla/site
Under Services,
    - select Professional Licensing Boards/Registrations
    - select Acupuncture
   -    select Acupuncture Application Package and follow the specific instructions and forms provided.

LICENSE RENEWAL

License renewals can be done by following these steps. Go to:
http://hpla.doh.dc.gov/hpla/site

Under Services,
    - select Professional Licensing Boards/Registrations
    - select Acupuncture
    - select Online License Renewal and follow the instructions.