CONTINUING EDUCATION
All persons renewing any category of acupuncture license after July 1, 2004 will be required to certify completion of a minimum of fifteen (15) hours of continuing education in acupuncture study or oriental medical theory and techniques within the previous twelve (12) months, as approved by the Idaho Board of Acupuncture. The Board will conduct random continuing education audits on a continual basis.
AUDITS
The Board conducts annual audits to insure compliance with the continuing education requirements. Audits may be initiated anytime after you renew your license. By signing your renewal application, and answering "Yes" to the question that you have met the continuing education requirements, you are certifying to the Board that you have already obtained proof of having completed the required continuing education.
IF YOU HAVE NOT YET MET THE CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENT, DO NOT SUBMIT A RENEWAL APPLICATION INDICATING THAT YOU HAVE. Submitting a fraudulent application for licensure is grounds for discipline against your right to practice.
If you are audited, you must submit a listing of all continuing education courses completed during the previous year AND proof of attendance documentation for each course. Failure to submit the required documentation may result in Board action against your right to licensure.
You should review the the Board rules regarding continuing education before signing up for any continuing education offerings. If you have questions about the continuing education requirements, you may e-mail the Board office.
Continuing Education Rules
305.CONTINUING EDUCATION (RULE 305).
In order to further protect the public health and to facilitate the administration of the Acupuncture Act, the Board has formulated the following rules:
01. Subject Material. The subject material of the continuing education requirement shall be germane to the practice of acupuncture and;
a. Accepted by NCCAOM, offered by accredited schools of acupuncture and oriental medicine, or otherwise approved by the Board.
b. "Germane to the practice of acupuncture" shall be consistent with Section 54-4702(1)(4), Idaho Code.
02. Verification of Attendance. It shall be necessary for each licensee to maintain verification of attendance by securing authorized signatures or other documentation from the course instructors or sponsoring institution substantiating any hours attended by the applicant. This verification shall be maintained by the licensee for no less than seven (7) years and provided to the Board upon the request of the Board or its agent.
03. Distance Learning and Independent Study. The Board may approve a course of study for continuing education credit that does not include the actual physical attendance of the applicant in a face-to-face setting with the course instructor. Distance Learning or Independent Study courses shall be eligible for continuing education credits if approved by NCCAOM or upon approval of the Board.
04. Requests for Approval. All requests for approval or pre-approval of educational programs must be made to the Board in writing, and must be accompanied by a statement that includes the name of the instructor or instructors, the date and time and location of the course, the specific agenda for the course, the number of continuing education credit hours requested, and a statement of how the course is believed to be pertinent to the practice of acupuncture.
05. Special Exemption. The Board shall have authority to make exceptions for reasons of individual hardship, including health (certified by a medical doctor) or other good cause. The licensee must provide any information requested by the Board to assist in substantiating hardship cases. This exemption is granted at the sole discretion of the Board.
A completed Verification & Certificate of Compliance form for continuing education MUST be submitted with all license renewal applications.
If you have questions about the continuing education requirements, please e-mail the Board at acu@ibol.idaho.gov.
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Last Modified - January 24, 2008