With A.B. 918, legislation that would replace California's acupuncture licensing exam (CALE) with one or more National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine exams as determined by the board, generating considerable debate, the legislation has become a two-year bill.

This is generally reserved for legislation introduced early in the first half of a session that may not be able to meet specific progress deadlines mandated by the legislature.

According to the California State Oriental Medicine Association in announcing the change to its members: "In the world of legislative policy, this means:

• Acupuncture stays on the table and top of mind for California policymakers;
• We now have MORE time to collaborate with allied professions and acupuncture stakeholders;
• Potential additions and enhancements can be made to the existing bill, to even better serve our profession."

Introduced on Feb. 17, 2021, by Assembly member Sharon Quirk-Silva, A.B. 918 would "amend Section 4938 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts" to require that an applicant for an acupuncture license in California, among other stipulations, obtain "a passing score on one or more examinations administered by the [NCCAOM], as determined by the board based on the skills, standards, and knowledge required for licensure pursuant to this act." Among several concerns voiced thus far regarding the current bill text is whether CALE should remain as an exam option.

Click here to track the progress of A.B. 918, including any amendments from the original and its progress through the California Assembly & Senate.

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Acupuncture Today editorial staff members research, investigate and write articles for the publication on an ongoing basis. To contact the Editorial Department or submit an article of your own for consideration, email mailto: .

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