relative to qualifications to practice acupuncture.
HB 1269 updates New Hampshire's acupuncture licensing rules to make practice more accessible. It revises educational requirements to allow an associate's degree or 60 college credits instead of a bachelor's degree for licensure, and permits out-of-state practitioners with comparable qualifications to practice. The bill adds a certified acupuncture detoxification specialist to the licensing board and requires annual supervision via phone or electronic means (not in-person) for these specialists during their first two years of certification. These changes take effect 60 days after enactment.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
Jul 2026
Introduced Dec 1, 2025
Signed Jul 10, 2026
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Version adopted by both bodies
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CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION
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4 edits
MODERATE
This bill finalizes changes to acupuncture licensure requirements, reducing the number of acupuncturists required on the state board from four to three while adding a certified acupuncture detoxification specialist. It also updates the official name of the national certification body from NCCAOM to NCBAHM and sets the effective date for these new rules to August 31, 2026.
Scope change
The bill's scope now includes a specific requirement for a certified acupuncture detoxification specialist on the state board, alongside a reduction in the number of general acupuncturists required.
REQUIREMENT
The number of acupuncturists required on the state board was reduced from four to three.
A certified acupuncture detoxification specialist was added as a required member of the state board.
DEFINITION
The name of the national certification commission was changed from NCCAOM to NCBAHM in the state statutes.
TIMELINE
A specific effective date of August 31, 2026, was added for the act's implementation.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
15
Key actions
6
Committee
5
Amendments
2
Jul 10, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor Ayotte 07/02/2026; Chapter 223; eff. 8/31/2026
lower
May 21, 2026
Introduced
House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1651s (Rep. Layon): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 11
lower
May 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1651s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
upper
May 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment # 2026-1651s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
upper
Apr 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1651s, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
upper
Mar 17, 2026
Introduced
Introduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 7
upper
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0795h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 41
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Introduced
Amendment # 2026-0795h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 41
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0795h 02/18/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 10 P. 19
lower
Dec 1, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 1 P. 13
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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