Acupuncture Licensing in Delaware

Delaware Acupuncture Board

Cannon Building, Suite 203
861 Silver Lake Boulevard
Dover, DE 19904
Phone: 302.744.4500

Delaware Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline

The Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline is the authoritative body for acupuncture licensing in Delaware. These duties were given to the board in 2008 when Subchapter X was added to the Medical Practice Act, which is Title 24, Chapter 17 of the Delaware State Code. Under the law, three types of acupuncture licenses are available in the state: original licenses, reciprocity licenses and current practitioner licenses.  The Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline regulates the practice of acupuncture and acupuncture licensing in Delaware.

Delaware Licensing Requirements for All Applicants

All applicants for acupuncture licenses in Delaware must meet the following requirements and provide proof to the board that each requirement has been met. The application for licensure as an acupuncture practitioner must be signed and notarized before it can be accepted. Other licensing requirements for all applicants are as follows:

  • A processing fee of $165 must be submitted with the application.
  • A criminal history record check and fingerprinting must be performed by the Delaware State Police at a cost of $69 to the applicant. Applicants residing outside of Delaware may be fingerprinted by a local police agency.
  • The applicant must pass a background check conducted by the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families.
  • All applicants whose primary language is not English must pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 550 or higher.
  • The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) must submit proof directly to the board that the applicant is a current NCCAOM diplomate.
  • The NCCAOM must submit evidence that the applicant has passed a course on clean needle technique.
  • A letter of good standing must be provided to the board from each state where the applicant has ever held an acupuncture license.

Reciprocity and Current Practitioner Licenses

Applicants who are currently licensed to practice acupuncture in another state may receive a reciprocity license from Delaware. In addition to the above requirements, a copy of the statutes and regulations from the licensing state must be submitted to the board.

Anyone who is currently practicing acupuncture and was practicing between the dates of June 27, 2007, and June 26, 2008, may receive a current practitioner license. To receive this license, an IRS Form W-2 or Schedule C from a tax return must be submitted as proof of practicing during these dates.