News and Press

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

• Contact:  Dr. Arthur L. Kaminsky
• Michigan Medical Acupuncture Association
• Phone: 888-375-7245
• Fax: 231-755-2963
• Email:  Info@MichiganMedicalAcupuncture.org

Michigan's New Acupuncture Law, What you need to know
A Statement From the Board of the Michigan Medical Acupuncture Association

Governor Granholm recently signed into law Public Act 30 of 2006, commonly referred to as the Michigan Acupuncture Act. This Act amends the Michigan Public Health Code to provide for the registration of acupuncturists. This Act is set to officially take effect on July 1, 2006.

Under the Act, the Governor will appoint a Board of Acupuncture consisting of four acupuncturists, three physicians licensed to practice in Michigan and two public members. The Michigan Department of Community Health ("MDCH"), in consultation with the Board of Acupuncture, will then develop administrative rules that identify the minimum standards for registration as an acupuncturist. Because the development of rules is a detailed and lengthy process, the MDCH estimates that the actual registration of acupuncturists is unlikely to begin before January 2008.

The MMAA notes that several articles have been published recently which may have provided incorrect information to the public and the acupuncture community in Michigan relative to the provisions and effect of the Michigan Acupuncture Act. Specifically, it has been erroneously reported that: (1) registration would begin in July of 2006, (2) acupuncturists will no longer require physician supervision once registered, and (3) only individuals with NCCAOM credentials will be registered under the new rules. These misstatements have resulted in a large number of telephone calls and emails seeking clarification from the MMAA. In response, the MMAA advises that:

1. According to the MDCH, the Board of Acupuncture is not expected to begin registering acupuncturists until early 2008. The exact date such registrations start will be largely dependent upon when the Governor completes the appointment of the members to the Board of Acupuncture.
2. While recent articles attributed to another organization have claimed that acupuncturists in Michigan will no longer need physician supervision once registered, we see no support for that claim in the Michigan Acupuncture Act. Current Michigan rules require that acupuncturists be supervised by a Michigan licensed physician and nothing in the Michigan Acupuncture Act appears to change that legal requirement. The MMAA has always required that its Practical Acupuncturist members agree, as a condition of membership, to abide by state rules pertaining to the practice of acupuncture. The MMAA supports ongoing physician supervision of acupuncturists and we are advising our Practical Acupuncturist members to continue working under physician supervision once the Michigan Acupuncture Act goes into effect.
3. The Michigan Acupuncture Act was written to include TCM acupuncturists with NCCAOM certification and acupuncturists who are members of "a nationally recognized trade association". The language in this Act was specifically written to include non TCM NCCAOM acupuncturists. The purpose of the rules process is to "establish the minimum standards for registration" and the Act clearly states that:

The MMAA has been and will remain active in securing the role of the contemporary medical acupuncturists' place within the context of any new rules. The MMAA participated in the drafting of this legislation and the wording of the Act to include our medical acupuncture members.

For further information please contact us and continue to watch this website for breaking news and updates regarding this and other issues.

What follows is a brief summary of the bill as condensed and outlined by the MMAA:

FEES:
(a) Application processing fee $ 75.00
(b) Registration fee, per year $ 200.00

DEFINITION:
(a) "Acupuncture" means the insertion and manipulation of needles through the surface of the human body at specific locations on the human body for the prevention or correction of disease, injury, pain, or other condition.
(b) "Acupuncturist" means an individual who practices acupuncture and is registered, or otherwise authorized, under this part.

EXEMPTION:
MD's/DO's
National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA)

CREATION:
The Michigan board of acupuncture is created in the department and shall consist of the following none (9) voting members who meet the requirements of part 161:
(a) Four acupuncturists. The members initially appointed under this subdivision shall meet the requirements of section 16135.
(b) Three physicians licensed under part 170 or 175.
(c) Two public members.

REGISTRATION:
(1) The MDCH, in consultation with the board, shall promulgate rules setting forth the minimum standards for registration as an acupuncturist. The MDCH, in consultation with the board, may adopt by reference the professional standards issued by a certified program that is recognized by the national commission for certifying agencies or by a nationally recognized trade association.