Western Medicine Doctor
Duties and Responsibilities: Acupuncture regulations vary state by state, according to the
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
(NCCAOM) (www.nccaom.org). Most states have licensing or continuing
education requirements, including certification by the National Certification
Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Seven states (Alabama,
Delaware, Kansas, Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota) allow
only medical doctors, osteopaths and chiropractors to perform acupuncture, while
at least two states (Louisiana and Michigan) require acupuncture professionals
to treat patients under the supervision of doctors or osteopaths.
Average Salary: 30,000-50,000
Educational Requirements: Most licensed acupuncturists hold master's degrees or
post-baccalaureate certificates from schools accredited by the Accreditation
Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (www.acaom.org). As the
Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) explains, most
programs require 1,500-2,000 hours of acupuncture training and take 3-4 years
to complete (www.ccaom.org). Graduates must pass the certification exam
offered by NCCAOM and fulfill any additional state licensing requirements
Reflection: Personally I would love one day becoming a
Western Medicine Doctor since I love helping people when they are in need of
medical attention.