Notice of Proposed Rule

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Board of Acupuncture
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
64B1-4.001: Acupuncture Program Requirements
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes the rule amendment to update and clarify licensure requirements.
SUMMARY: The rule amendment will update and clarify licensure requirements.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared. The Board determined that small businesses would not be effected by this rule.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 457.102, 457.104, 457.105 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 456.033, 457.102, 457.105 FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Kaye Howerton, Executive Director, Board of Acupuncture/MQA, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C06, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3256

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

64B1-4.001 Acupuncture Program Requirements.

In order to be certified to take the licensure examination or to be eligible for licensure by endorsement, the applicant must establish that he/she has met the following minimal requirements.

(1) For students enrolled in a program prior to August 1, 1997, applicants under this section must have completed at least 900 hours of supervised instruction in traditional oriental acupuncture and at least 600 hours of supervised clinical experience, as well as 20 hours of supervised instruction in Florida Statutes and Rules, including Chapters 456 and 457, F.S., and this rule chapter, which can be obtained through an approved continuing education program or in a program offered at an Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) accredited or candidate oriental medicine school. All applicants under this provision must have started classes no later than February 1, 1998.

(2) Applicants who apply for licensure on or after August 1, 2001 must have completed a core curriculum comparable to that of the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) master’s level program in oriental medicine with a minimum of 2700 hours of supervised instruction:

(a) 15 hours of supervised instruction in universal precautions and 3 hours of HIV/AIDS that complies with the requirements of Section 456.033, F.S.; and

(b) 20 hours of supervised instruction in Florida Statutes and Rules, including Chapters 456 and 457, F.S., and this rule chapter.

(2)(3) All applicants, except those who demonstrate satisfaction and eligibility under the program requirements in subsection 64B1-4.001(1), F.A.C., must establish their successful completion of  a core curriculum substantially equivalent to that of the ACAOM 4-year program Applicants who apply for licensure on or after October 1, 2003 must have graduated from an ACAOM candidate or accredited 4-year master’s level program or foreign equivalent in Oriental Medicine with a minimum of 2700 hours of supervised instruction and must have successfully completed:

(a) 15 hours of supervised instruction in universal precautions; and 3 hours of HIV/AIDS that complies with the requirements of Section 456.033, F.S.; and

(b) 20 hours of supervised instruction in Florida Statutes and Rules, including Chapters 456 and 457, F.S., and this rule chapter which may be obtained through an approved continuing education program or in a program offered at an ACAOM accredited or candidate oriental medicine school; and. For purposes of the Florida Statutes and Rules and HIV/Aids requirements imposed by this chapter for initial licensure, the term “supervised instruction” shall mean instruction in a Board approved continuing education program or in a program offered at an ACAOM accredited oriental medicine school.

(c) An 8 hour program that incorporates the safe and beneficial use of laboratory test and imaging findings in the practice of acupuncture and oriental medicine.

(3) Applicants whose educational transcripts and other records come from educational institutions outside the United States, may wish to submit those records to a private U.S. Organization that specializes in interpretation of educational credentials. These organizations do more than just translate the records.

(4) For applicants who enroll on or after July 31, 2001, applicants must have completed an eight hour program that incorporates the safe and beneficial use of laboratory test and imaging findings in the practice of acupuncture and oriental medicine.

Rulemaking Specific Authority 456.033, 457.102, 457.104, 457.105 FS. Law Implemented 456.033, 457.102, 457.105(2)(b) FS. History– New 8-30-84, Formerly 21AA-4.01, Amended 7-20-88, 4-30-89, 9-19-89, 3-18-92, Formerly 21AA-4.001, 61F1-4.001, Amended 3-24-96, Formerly 59M-4.001, Amended 12-31-97, 11-1-99, 6-21-00, 4-3-01, 5-24-04, 10-11-04, 10-24-04,_______.


NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Acupuncture
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Acupuncture
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: March 6, 2009
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: September 5, 2008