FAQ
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions. Please contact us at 800.313.8341 or e-mail us at nysacupuncture@gmail.com if you have any further questions.
1. WHO IS THE NEW YORK STATE ACUPUNCTURE COALITION (NYSAC)?
The coalition is comprised of practitioners, students, alumni associations, professional associations, schools, and patient supporters. This coalition is unique in that, for the first time, it will be proactively seeking to amend legislation in favor the long-term interest and protection of the practice.
As of today, a number of New York schools, including Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, Touro College, New York Chiropractic College, New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tri-State College of Acupuncture and members of the faculty of the Swedish Institute Acupuncture Program, have stated their support of the coalition’s efforts. Additionally, The Acupuncture Society of New York, High Falls Garden, TCM World Foundation, American Traditional Chinese Medicine Society, and United Alliance of New York State Licensed Acupuncturists are in full support of the coalition’s efforts.
2. DOES THE CURRENT LEGISLATION “GRANDFATHER” ACUPUNCTURISTS WHEN NEW STANDARDS ARE ESTABLISHED?
Yes. It is a common practice when affecting a new level of requirement within professional guidelines to consider the historical standard of practice in effect and attempt to honor, within reason, those providers in long term practice. This is contingent on public safety not being in jeopardy. It is of clear public record that Licensed Acupuncturists have minimal negative reports of harm in the practice of herbal medicine. “Grandfathering” does not relieve a practitioner from the ethical responsibility of demonstrating that they are practicing only that for which they have been trained if so challenged.
3. WHAT IS THE PROGRESS ON THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE ACTION?
NYSAC’s has had significant success since beginning out legislative goals. We now have a bill number in the New York State Assembly. Please click on this link to read Bill A10143, http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A10143.
Obtaining a bill number was the first step in achieving our current legislative goal of clarifying our scope of practice to include the use of Chinese herbs. We have done this very quickly because of the powerful bill language and strong support we have from our bill sponsor. The legislature is very enthusiastic about this bill and has been working diligently to obtain support from other members of the New York State Assembly . We now have over sixty co-sponsors, including Assemblyman Gottfried. We are currently working with State Senators for bill sponsorship. Our goal is to have the Bill introduced into both the State Assembly and Senate. We are hoping to be able to report on a Bill number for the Senate soon.
4. IF I DON’T PRACTICE HERBS, HOW WILL I BE AFFECTED?
You will not be affected. Under the language of this bill, the study of herbalism will remain an optional course of study. Certification in herbalism will be required only for those choosing to recommend custom-made herbal formulations to their patients.
5. WILL THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION AFFECT HERBAL PRACTITIONERS (CHINESE, JAPANESE, KOREAN, WESTERN) WHO DO NOT HOLD AN ACUPUNCTURE LICENSE?
NO, this legislation specifically addresses licensed acupuncturists only. There is no mention of, nor intent to impact or disrupt, herbalists that practice without an acupuncture license. Those individuals are free to continue their work based on the fact that in New York, herbology is an unregulated profession.
6. WHY IS CONTINUING EDUCATION INCLUDED AS PART OF THE LEGISLATION?
If the profession does not take action to self regulate with CEU’s, there are indications that the state will come forward in the future to mandate them. Continuing education is a
necessary component of professional standards, particularly in medicine where standards are always advancing (Western medicine has long required continuing education). Accordingly, any profession seeking to raise and/or maintain high standards of practice must commit itself to continuing education. Continuing education requirements will not only legitimize the proposed bill, it will also enhance the educational credibility, parity and status (thus employment opportunities) of New York practitioners in the eyes of hospital credentialing committees, other medical providers, and the public. (Note: Continuing education is already required for practitioners maintaining NCCAOM certification)
7. WILL THE LEGISLATION INCREASE THE NUMBER OF LICENSED ACUPUNCTURE REPRESENTATIVES ON THE STATE BOARD?
Yes. The goal to increase the acupuncture representation on the board would bring the acupuncture board in line regarding representation consistent with other professional boards.