03/30/18 Dr. Jingjiao Xia, vice-president of AACMA-PAC forwarded important concerns to Acupuncture Board

Jingjiao Xia, vice-president of AACMA-PAC went to the Acupuncture Board meeting on March 30th, 2018. Dr. Xia pointed out that the number of Acupuncture Continued Education providers are out of control. She suggested to the board that set strict standards to approving CE providers. She also recommended that the board take measures to prevent illegal dry needling in California and in addition provide strict regulation and supervision of Acupuncture schools. Finally she pointed out the possibility of changing the name of the Acupuncture Board to the Board of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.

Dr. Jingjiao Xia forward the following concerns of AACMA to Acupuncture Board in the meeting.

1.Acupuncture Continue Education has becoming out of control:
A, California Acupuncture Board approved more than 1400 providers, while California PT Board only has about 135, Chiropractic Board about 180.
B. The Acupuncture Board has never conducted on-site sampling of approved continuing courses.
(I suggest) (C. The CE classes are meant to equip L.Ac.s better to serve the public with quality, safety, and efficiency. It should be an important route for acupuncturists to update their knowledge.)
We suggest that Acupuncture Board should set a stricter standard for approving new CE Providers and re-examine the existing Providers. Every CE Provider should be re-certified at a regular intervals. CAB sends people to the lecture site randomly to inspect the conduction of the lecture if possible.

2, Some medical professions of other States ignore the existing law. They bypass the acupuncture study and examination by changing the name of acupuncture and moxibustion to dry needling, and adding it into its own practice scope. This has seriously affected the public safety. What measures the California Acupuncture Board has taken or intend to take to prevent the illegal operation of acupuncture-dry needling?

3. We suggest that the Acupuncture Board set up a special committee, including the professionals and schools, to further study and improve the CALE exam and review the requirements for NCCAOM to enter California.

4.In order to guarantee the highest standards of California acupuncture education in the United States and to safeguard the interests of the Californians, Acupuncture Board should reinstate its authority of final approval and supervision of the California acupuncture schools.

5. In order to truly reflect the essence of the California acupuncture, it is suggested to replace CAB by a new name – California Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Board. What is the opinion of CAB?