Acupuncture legislation in Israel (long answer)

[Guest guest]

Dear Shmuel,

 

First, good luck with the process. See my answers below as I

understand them here in the States.

 

> 1. Who in your country is permitted to practice acupuncture/herbal

> medicine.

 

This depends on the State. a)Practitioners who have been granted

licensure after either passing a State examination or who have passed

the NCCAOM (National Commission For Certification of Acupuncture and

Oriental Medicine) boards. Please note that the NCCAOM is not a

goverment agency. Nonetheless, many states reciprocate to their

certification for local licensure. There's an apprenticeship route

that allows for NCCAOM Diplomate certification in acupuncture and

Chinese herbs.

 

MDs. As I understand it, Medical doctors are allowed to practice

acupuncture. Some States may require completion of 200 hrs of

training. This also applies to Doctors of Osteopathy and often to

Chiropractors. (if your country can avoid this, you'll be doing a

great service to the public and to the profession. IMO)

 

In some States a new type of practitioner has emerged. ADS

(Acupuncture Detox Specialist) These practitioners are allowed to

practice Auricular acupuncture for the control of substance abuse.

Demographics include, nurse practitioners, Drug counselors. Often

they are under the supervision of either an MD or in some cases that

of a licensed acupuncturist. This type of practitioner is not allowed

in Florida.

 

 

> 2. Basic prerequisites for practice, such as: years of study,

> academic certification, apprenticeship and other prerequisites.

 

Here's what Florida requires:

 

457.105 Licensure qualifications and fees.--

 

(1) It is unlawful for any person to practice acupuncture in this

state unless such person has been licensed by the board, is in a

board-approved course of study, or is otherwise exempted by this

chapter.

 

(2) A person may become licensed to practice acupuncture if the

person applies to the department and:

 

(a) Is 21 years of age or older, has good moral character, and has

the ability to communicate in English, which is demonstrated by

having passed the national written examination in English or, if such

examination was passed in a foreign language, by also having passed a

nationally recognized English proficiency examination;

 

(b) Has completed 60 college credits from an accredited

postsecondary institution as a prerequisite to enrollment in an

authorized 3-year course of study in acupuncture and oriental

medicine, and has completed a 3-year course of study in acupuncture

and oriental medicine, and effective July 31, 2001, a 4-year course

of study in acupuncture and oriental medicine, which meets standards

established by the board by rule, which standards include, but are

not limited to, successful completion of academic courses in western

anatomy, western physiology, western pathology, western biomedical

terminology, first aid, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

However, any person who enrolled in an authorized course of study in

acupuncture before August 1, 1997, must have completed only a 2-year

course of study which meets standards established by the board by

rule, which standards must include, but are not limited to,

successful completion of academic courses in western anatomy, western

physiology, and western pathology;

 

© Has successfully completed a board-approved national

certification process, is actively licensed in a state that has

examination requirements that are substantially equivalent to or more

stringent than those of this state, or passes an examination

administered by the department, which examination tests the

applicant's competency and knowledge of the practice of acupuncture

and oriental medicine. At the request of any applicant, oriental

nomenclature for the points shall be used in the examination. The

examination shall include a practical examination of the knowledge

and skills required to practice modern and traditional acupuncture

and oriental medicine, covering diagnostic and treatment techniques

and procedures; and

 

(d) Pays the required fees set by the board by rule not to exceed

the following amounts:

 

1. Examination fee: $500 plus the actual per applicant cost to the

department for purchase of the written and practical portions of the

examination from a national organization approved by the board.

 

2. Application fee: $300.

 

3. Reexamination fee: $500 plus the actual per applicant cost to the

department for purchase of the written and practical portions of the

examination from a national organization approved by the board.

 

4. Initial biennial licensure fee: $400, if licensed in the first

half of the biennium, and $200, if licensed in the second half of the

biennium.

 

> 3. Practitioners independence in receiving patients. Does a patient

> need to see an M.D. before approaching an acupuncture practitioner,

> do the treatments need to be supervised by a licensed M.D., does

the

> practitioner need to demand that the patient will undergo W.M.

> diagnosis, are there any formal forms on behalf of the health

> ministry, etc.

 

Thi is a sticky one. In some States the above scenario is on the spot.

Other States started that way and in time the laws were revised and

changed. In Florida, where I practice, an Acupuncturist has full

autonomy. We are considered primary care providers and anyone can

seek our services without an MD's referral. Furthermore, any

insurance company that pays an MD or any other health care

professional for acupuncture services, must by law pay an

acupuncturist. Recent laws in Florida, allow APs (Acupuncture

Physician) to order MRIs X-rays, Lab work, and even do herbal

injections including some types of vitamins such as B12. (mixed

feelings about this).

 

Hope this helps and should you have any more questions feel free to

contact me offlist if you wish.

 

Good fortune to you.

 

Fernando

 

 

BTW, we are not allowed to call ourselves " doctors " , either by our

fellow practitioners or by the patients. In Rhode Island

acupuncturist were awarded the title of Dr. Also, In Florida only a

Veterinarian trained in acupuncture can administer acupuncture to

animals.