TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING
TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING
BOARD OF MEDICINE
Final Regulation
REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: The Board of Medicine is claiming an exemption from the Administrative Process Act in accordance with Chapters 553 and 561 of the 2025 Acts of Assembly, which exempt the actions of the board relating to the initial adoption of regulations necessary to implement the provisions of the acts; however, the board is required to provide an opportunity for public comment on regulations prior to their adoption.
Title of Regulation: 18VAC85-110. Regulations Governing the Practice of Licensed Acupuncturists (amending 18VAC85-110-80, 18VAC85-110-90; adding 18VAC85-110-91).
Statutory Authority: § 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.
Effective Date: July 1, 2026.
Agency Contact: Erin Barrett, Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Department of Health Professions, Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233, telephone (804) 750-3912, fax (804) 915-0382, or email erin.barrett@dhp.virginia.gov.
Summary:
Pursuant to Chapters 553 and 561 of the 2025 Acts of Assembly, the amendments add a licensure by endorsement pathway for acupuncturists.
18VAC85-110-80. Examination requirements for licensure.
The examination requirements for initial licensure shall consist of:
1. Passing the NCCAOM examination, resulting in current, active certification by the NCCAOM at the time the application is filed with the board; and
2. Completing the CNT course as administered by the CCAHM.
18VAC85-110-90. Test of spoken English requirements.
A. An applicant applying for initial licensure to practice as an acupuncturist whose native language is not English and whose acupuncture education was also not in English shall submit evidence of having achieved a passing score as acceptable to the board on either the Test of Spoken English (TSE) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Services.
B. An applicant applying for initial licensure to practice as an acupuncturist whose native language is not English and whose acupuncture education was also not in English shall be exempt from the requirement for TSE or TOEFL if the majority of his clients speak the language of the acupuncturist.
18VAC85-110-91. Licensure by endorsement.
An applicant for licensure by endorsement shall submit the following:
1. Evidence of a current, active license in a United States jurisdiction or Canada that is in good standing;
2. A completed application and fee;
3. Evidence of a current, active national certification recognized by the board;
4. Evidence of completion of a CNT course as administered by the CCAHM; and
5. A current report from the National Practitioner Data Bank.
VA.R. Doc. No. R26-8593; Filed May 12, 2026