Information Guides: Small Business Resources: Acupuncture

Starting an Acupuncture Practice: Online Resources

The following links are available for anyone to use whether you're affiliated with NWHSU or not. The links are for informational purposes only and the school does not endorse any products or services that may be advertised on the sites.

TRUIC How To Start An Acupuncture Business
This link provides steps anyone interested in starting an acupuncture business should consider.
Plotting Your Course (Acupuncture Today)
This is an article in Acupuncture Today listing the areas a fledgling acupuncturist practitioner needs to consider when starting to practice after graduation.
Acupuncture.com
This link takes you specifically to the newsletters portion of the site.
Acupuncture Today
Acupuncture and health news for practitioners.
Creating An Acupuncture Plan That Earns New Patients
Here is an article aimed at helping those starting an acupuncture practice to create a marketing plan.

Below is a video of an acupuncturist who held a Q&A about what it's like to start a business.

Starting an Acupuncture Practice: Books

Points for Profit by Honora Lee Wolfe; Eric Strand; Marilyn Allen
Call Number: 615.892068 W85p4
ISBN: 9781891845253
Publication Date: 2004-01-01
The library has various editions of the book. The most recent edition is in reserve. Older editions are in the general collection and available in ebook format. If you are starting a practice for the first time or your existing practice needs a kick-start, this is the book/CD Rom package you need. It covers everything you need to know about the business of practicing acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
Making Acupuncture Pay by L. Ac. Bauer
Call Number: 615.892068 B34m
ISBN: 9781457502798
Publication Date: 2011-04-01
This book offers candid and comprehensive advice about what it really takes to manage a successful acupuncture practice in the West today. Readers will learn the unique combination of skills needed to make acupuncture services effective and affordable while still allowing practitioners to earn a comfortable living.
Running a Safe and Successful Acupuncture Clinic by Hong Zhen Zhu
Call Number: 615.892068 Z63r
ISBN: 0443100888
Publication Date: 2005-09-19
This book informs the reader of essential information for running a safe, successful acupuncture clinic. Split into three sections, the book covers Techniques and Safety (Risk Management), Ethics and Interpersonal Skills and Clinic Management.

Professional Organizations

American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM)
The AAAOM is the oldest and largest national membership organization of acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM) practitioners and supporters that serves to advance the profession and practice of AOM. The mission of the AAAOM is to support their members and the AOM community through education, occupational resources, media support, and legislative advocacy in their commitment to facilitate access to the highest quality of healthcare in the United States.
Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM)
The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) is a specialized accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE).
Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
The National Council of Acupuncture Schools and Colleges (NCASC) was incorporated in 1982 to advance the standing of acupuncture and herbal medicine in the U.S. by promoting educational excellence within the field.
American Academy of Medical Acupuncture
The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture is the professional organization of allopathic and osteopathic physicians (MDs and DOs) that advances the evidence-based integration of the practice of medicine and acupuncture to serve their patients.
National Certification Commission For Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
Established in 1982, NCCAOM is the only national organization that validates entry-level competency in the practice of acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM) through professional certification

Getting Licensed in Other States

The following links are for licensing requirements in neighboring states to MN for acupuncturists. This is not an exhaustive list. If you need assistance for a state that is not on this list, please contact the library.

WI Acupuncture License Application page
This is information on how to get an acupuncturist's license in the state of WI.
Iowa Board of Medicine
You can discover how to apply for a license to practice in Iowa on this page.
North Dakota Board of Integrative Health Care
This page will link you to information on becoming licensed to perform acupuncture in the state of North Dakota.
Montana Board of Medical Examiners
You can find information on applying for an acupuncture license on this page. Use the tabs at the top and not the links in the text.
Acupuncture Department of Health and Human Services Acupuncture License
This page provides you with links to applying for an acupuncture license in Nebraska.
Florida Board of Acupuncture
This page contains the process of getting licensed to practice acupuncture in Florida.