HB 202: Acupuncturist Licensing Amendments - Utah

Amended 3/5/2026 15:03:831 → Substitute #1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the licensure requirements for acupuncturists in Utah by introducing an alternative pathway that replaces the NCCAOM certification option with a new route requiring 850 hours of instruction and 500 hours of supervised training. It also establishes a new temporary license for individuals completing this supervised training, valid for up to six months, and includes several technical corrections to the existing statute.

Scope change

The bill expands eligibility for licensure by adding a new pathway for applicants who cannot obtain NCCAOM certification but can complete specific supervised training hours.

ELIGIBILITY

Replaced the requirement for NCCAOM certification with an option to submit evidence of completing 850 hours of specific acupuncture instruction and 500 hours of supervised training.

Created a new temporary license category for applicants who complete the supervised training portion but not the full certification requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific curriculum topics including point location, needle technique, East Asian medical theory, anatomy, ethics, boundaries, draping, and consent.

TECHNICAL

Corrected formatting errors, fixed numbering sequences, and updated department/division references throughout the text.

TIMELINE

Confirmed the effective date of November 1, 2026, for the new provisions.

Amended Excerpts 3/5/2026 15:03:831 → Amended 3/5/2026 15:03:831 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Utah's acupuncturist licensure laws to create a new alternate pathway for licensure, allowing candidates to qualify by completing a specific curriculum and supervised training instead of solely relying on national board certification. It also introduces a temporary license option for those completing this new training path, enabling them to practice under supervision while finishing their requirements. The changes expand eligibility criteria and add new procedural requirements for patient consent and documentation.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of licensure eligibility by adding an alternative pathway that does not require NCCAOM certification, while also creating a new category of temporary licensure.

ELIGIBILITY

Added an alternate pathway for licensure that allows applicants to qualify by completing a specific 850-hour curriculum covering point location, needle technique, medical theory, anatomy, ethics, boundaries, draping, and consent, plus 500 hours of supervised training.

Created a new temporary license valid for up to six months for applicants who meet the alternate pathway requirements except for the supervised training component, allowing them to practice under direct supervision.

REQUIREMENT

Modified the standard licensure requirements to include specific curriculum content such as draping and consent, and added a new subsection requiring applicants to establish a procedure for collecting patient informed consent.

Reorganized the licensure requirements to separate the national certification option from the new curriculum-based option, clarifying that applicants must choose one of two paths.

TIMELINE

Set a special effective date of November 1, 2026, for the new provisions.

Introduced → Amended Excerpts 3/5/2026 15:03:831 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to increase the minimum required acupuncture curriculum from 450 hours to 850 hours. It also updated the list of required course topics to include specific skills like point location and needle technique, while removing the requirement for biomedical clinical sciences and counseling hours.

Scope change

The scope of eligibility for licensure was narrowed by raising the educational hour requirement, making it more difficult for applicants to qualify without completing a longer training program.

REQUIREMENT

Increased the minimum acupuncture curriculum requirement from 450 hours to 850 hours.

Added specific course topics including point location, needle technique, human anatomy and physiology, professional ethics, and boundaries.

Removed the requirement for 225 hours of biomedical clinical sciences and 100 hours of counseling, communication, ethics, and practice management.

Acupuncturist Licensing Amendments

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