Agencies

Connecting You to Key Regulatory and Professional Organizations

The California Acupuncture Coalition (CAC) collaborates with and provides links to the primary agencies and organizations that regulate, support, and advance the acupuncture and herbal medicine profession in California.

These agencies uphold public safety, professional standards, and educational integrity — serving as essential partners in our shared mission to promote holistic healthcare and health equity statewide.

� Key Agencies & Organizations

1. California Acupuncture Board (CAB)

Oversees the licensing, regulation, and enforcement of acupuncture practice in California.

Website: [www.acupuncture.ca.gov](https://www.acupuncture.ca.gov)

2. California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA)

Provides oversight for the California Acupuncture Board and protects consumers by promoting professional accountability and transparency.

Website: [www.dca.ca.gov](https://www.dca.ca.gov)

3. National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)

A national organization that sets certification standards for acupuncturists and promotes professional competence across the United States.

Website: [www.nccaom.org](https://www.nccaom.org)

4. Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM)

Accredits acupuncture and herbal medicine degree programs in the U.S., ensuring academic quality and compliance with national standards.

Website: [www.acahm.org](https://www.acahm.org)

5. World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS)

An international organization recognized by the World Health Organization, dedicated to promoting global standards, research, and cultural exchange in acupuncture and moxibustion.

Website: [www.wfas.org.cn](https://www.wfas.org.cn)

6. California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

Works to protect and improve the health of Californians, including oversight of complementary and integrative health practices.

Website: [www.cdph.ca.gov](https://www.cdph.ca.gov)

� How CAC Collaborates

Sharing regulatory updates and public announcements from key agencies
Participating in advisory meetings and public comment sessions
Promoting alignment between state policy, professional practice, and public health priorities

Laws & Legislations

Understanding Policy. Protecting Practice. Advancing the Profession.

The California Acupuncture Coalition (CAC) is dedicated to ensuring that acupuncturists and herbal medicine professionals are fully informed about the laws and regulations that govern their practice.

By staying current on legislative changes and regulatory developments, CAC helps protect professional rights, promote public safety, and ensure compliance with the highest standards of healthcare ethics and accountability.

� Key Legislative Areas

1. California Acupuncture Practice Act

Defines the legal scope of acupuncture and herbal medicine practice in California — including diagnosis, treatment, and use of traditional techniques such as acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, and herbal therapy.

CAC works to ensure this act reflects the evolving needs of practitioners and patients alike.

Reference: [California Business and Professions Code, Section 4935–4979](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)

2. Licensure and Regulation

Administered by the California Acupuncture Board (CAB) under the Department of Consumer Affairs, licensing ensures that only qualified, trained professionals deliver acupuncture services.

CAC monitors any proposed changes to licensing requirements and advocates for fair, evidence-based regulation.

Reference:[www.acupuncture.ca.gov](https://www.acupuncture.ca.gov)

3. Scope of Practice and Professional Standards

CAC supports clear, inclusive, and modernized definitions of acupuncture scope to reflect the full breadth of traditional and integrative care — including herbal medicine, lifestyle counseling, and preventive health services.

Goal:Protect the profession’s integrity while enhancing public access to holistic healthcare.

4. Insurance and Reimbursement Policies

CAC advocates for equitable insurance coverage and reimbursement for acupuncture services.

We work with policymakers and insurers to expand access, reduce disparities, and integrate acupuncture into mainstream healthcare systems.

5. Herbal Medicine Regulation and Safety

Ensuring the safe and ethical use of herbal products is a core responsibility of the acupuncture community.

CAC supports education on labeling, sourcing, and FDA compliance while advocating for policies that protect both practitioners and consumers.

� CAC’s Role in Legislative Engagement

Tracking and analyzing bills that affect acupuncture and herbal medicine
Issuing policy updates and alerts to members and associations
Representing the profession in public hearings and state discussions
Promoting transparency and compliance through education and outreach

� Our Vision

CAC envisions a future where acupuncture and herbal medicine are fully integrated into California’s healthcare system — supported by strong, fair laws that recognize their value, safety, and contribution to public health.

Research

Building Evidence. Bridging Traditions. Advancing Health.

The California Acupuncture Coalition (CAC) is committed to advancing research and evidence-based understanding of acupuncture and herbal medicine.

By promoting collaboration among practitioners, educators, and researchers, CAC helps bridge traditional healing wisdom with modern scientific inquiry — strengthening the role of acupuncture in California’s integrative healthcare system.

� Research Priorities

1. Clinical Effectiveness and Safety

CAC supports and shares research demonstrating the effectiveness, safety, and mechanisms of acupuncture and herbal therapies for various conditions — from pain management to chronic disease prevention.

→ Goal: Strengthen confidence among patients, healthcare providers, and policymakers through credible data.

2. Integrative and Collaborative Studies

CAC encourages partnerships between acupuncture professionals and universities, hospitals, and research institutions.

Such collaboration fosters integrative studies combining Eastern and Western medical approaches for improved health outcomes.

→ Goal:Promote mutual respect and scientific cooperation across medical systems.

3. Public Health and Health Equity Research

Research on accessibility, community health outcomes, and cultural diversity helps highlight acupuncture’s contribution to equitable healthcare.

CAC supports projects that explore acupuncture’s role in underserved populations and preventive medicine.

→ Goal:Use research to guide inclusive public health policy.

4. Education and Knowledge Sharing

CAC disseminates research findings, summaries, and resources to practitioners and the public through conferences, newsletters, and digital libraries.

→ Goal:Empower practitioners with the latest evidence and foster a culture of continual learning.

� Featured Research Resources

PubMed Database (NIH):Peer-reviewed research on acupuncture and integrative medicine.

Website: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH):Federal agency supporting scientific research on acupuncture.

Website:[https://nccih.nih.gov](https://nccih.nih.gov)

Society for Acupuncture Research (SAR): Organization advancing acupuncture science through global research collaboration.

Website: [https://www.acupunctureresearch.org](https://www.acupunctureresearch.org)

� CAC’s Role

Promoting and sharing high-quality acupuncture research
Supporting community-based data collection and clinical observation
Hosting symposiums on research methodology and evidence-based practice
Encouraging collaboration between professional associations and academic institutions