Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine

Program Accreditation

The Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine degree program at Southern California University of Health Sciences is the first to be awarded programmatic accreditation by The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) on the West coast. ACAHM granted accreditation to Southern California University of Health Sciences professional doctoral program in English under applicable ACAHM standards effective 24 February 2018.

The following programs offered by Southern California University of Health Sciences are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM):

  1. Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine
  2. Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (Including a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine degree completion track)

The programs listed above may offer courses via distance education. ACAHM does not accredit any programs at the undergraduate/bachelor level. Accreditation status and notes may be viewed on the ACAHM Directory.

ACAHM is recognized by the United States Department of Education as the specialized accreditation agency for institutions/programs preparing acupuncture practitioners. ACAHM is located at 500 Lake Street, Suite 204, Excelsior, Minnesota 55331; phone 952/212-2434; acahm.org

Upon completion of the MAcCHM program, SCU students are qualified to sit for the California state licensure exams (CALE) as well as the national certification examinations (NCCAOM), which enable students to become licensed in the U.S.

  • Students are required to pass the testing to become a Diplomate of Acupuncture (NCCAOM)® or Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)®. The additional designation of a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) is awarded by a state regulatory board. The NCCAOM website provides a table with state regulatory requirements and contact information.
Neither acceptance for admission into the program nor the subsequent earning of a Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine degree guarantees that a state or a foreign country will grant a graduate a license to practice. Each state and foreign country, through its legislative and administrative process, defines the standards of competency and scope of practice within its jurisdiction.In compliance with 34 CFR 668.43, the Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) Master of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (MAcCHM) and Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (DAcCHM) programs provide information pertaining to professional licensure for the programs. Students should refer to the information below and contact the appropriate licensing board to ensure they will meet the licensure requirements in the state(s) in which they intend to practice upon graduation.

SCU’s MAcCHM and DAcCHM programs are approved by the California Acupuncture Board and Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM). Currently, graduates of SCU’s MAcCHM and DAcCHM programs are eligible to sit for the California Acupuncture Licensing Exam (CALE), as well as the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM®) certification exam.

A passing score on the CALE certification examination is documentation of competency for licensure as an acupuncturist in California.

A passing score on the NCCAOM certification examination is documentation of competency for licensure as an acupuncturist by 43 states plus the District of Columbia.

Several states, including California, have a governmental agency that governs, supervises, and controls the licensure and practice of acupuncture. In California, the Acupuncture Board is responsible for such duties. If you desire to practice in another state, it is recommended that you contact that state’s medical board or other appropriate agency, for licensure requirements, as these agencies may have requirements other than the passage of the competency exam.

SCU’s MAcCHM and DAcCHM programs meet the educational requirements for licensure in all states that license acupuncturists.
The following states do not license acupuncturists: Alabama, Oklahoma, South Dakota.

Please note that licensure requirements are always subject to change. Although SCU will confirm the licensure requirements on a routine basis, we strongly recommend that you inquire with the licensing agency to confirm that you understand and will meet the requirements for licensure before enrolling in your program of choice. Additionally, while progressing through the program, we recommend that you check licensing agency requirements regularly to monitor whether they have changed in a manner that impacts your licensure plans.

All international students are strongly encouraged to check the credentialing requirements in the country where they intend to practice.