Acupuncture originating over 5,000 years ago, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a healing system that is rooted in the ancient philosophy of Taoism. Acupuncture is a respected modality world wide and Taoism Is not a religion. The NCCAOM is recognized by most state governments as the primary body for certifying acupuncture professionals in the United States. The organization announced a name change to the National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM) in early 2026 from National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) was established in 1982 as a non-profit organization to validate entry-level competency in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. It was originally founded as the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists (NCCA), later changing its name to NCCAOM in 1996. 
  • Formation: Founded in 1982 to establish national standards for the profession.
  • First Exam: The first certification examination in acupuncture was administered in March 1985.
  • Certification Evolution: Initially focused on acupuncture, the organization expanded to include Chinese herbology examinations in 1995 and Asian bodywork therapy in 2000
Over the past 25 years, acupuncture and herbal medicine (AHM) have become increasingly popular in the United States. Often referred to as eastern medicine, they encompass a variety of modalities. An estimated 36 percent of U.S. adults use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), according to a survey by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Not surprisingly, acupuncture has become one of the most common forms of CAM.
NCBAHM is driven to produce valid and reliable measurements of competence in AHM practitioners who seek certification from us.
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NCBAHM National Board-Certified Acupuncturist™ means receiving excellent care from a professional and qualified practitioner. The NCBAHM is responsible for the development and administration of the Acupuncture, Chinese Herbalogy, and Herbal Medicine Certification Programs. The NCBAHM evaluates and attests to the competency of its National Board-Certified AcupuncturistsTM through rigorous eligibility standards and demonstration and assessment of the core knowledge, skills and abilities expected for an entry level practitioner of acupuncture and Herbal medicine.

About Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points on the body, by insertion of very fine, sterile, stainless steel needles to elicit a predictable physiological response. This stimulus may also be administered to the points using mild electrical stimulation (with or without needles), pressure techniques with the hands (acupressure) or the application of heat by various methods.
Acupuncturists assess a patient’s syndrome or pattern of disharmony by using a set of diagnostic skills that involve four areas: questioning, palpation, visual inspection, and olfactory-auditory data collection. An acupuncturist determines the necessary treatment principle and strategy to prompt the patient back to functional harmony by discriminating the exact pattern of the body’s physiological response to pathogenic factors.
The acupuncturist’s skill at determining the appropriate points to treat is based upon his/her ability to accurately distinguish the presenting pattern, knowledge of correct points to address that pattern and knowledge of the proper type of stimulus for each point. The possession of this knowledge and skills is the key distinction between a professional certified acupuncturist and other health care providers who employ acupuncture only as a modality (stimulating points for their general effect without adjusting their choice of points to the specific patient’s need).

What is a Diplomate of Acupuncture?
A Diplomate of Acupuncture is an acupuncturist who is certified by the NCBAHM. It is a considerable professional achievement to earn the designation Diplomate of Acupuncture (NCBAHM). NCBAHM certification indicates to employers, patients, and peers that one has met national standards for the safe and competent practice of acupuncture as defined by the acupuncture and Herbal medicine (AOM) profession. National board certification in acupuncture has been the mark of excellence in AOM since the inception of the Commission in 1982. Every certified NCBAHM Diplomate must abide by the NCBAHM Code of Ethics.

What Training does an NCBAHM Diplomate of Acupuncture have?
Comprehensive training in traditional differential diagnosis and proper treatment methods requires that a Diplomate of Acupuncture (NCBAHM) completes three to four academic years of education at the master’s degree level in an acupuncture program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM). ACAHM is the only accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education as the authority for quality education and training in acupuncture and Herbal medicine. In addition to graduation from an ACAHM accredited program, a Diplomate of Acupuncture (NCBAHM) must demonstrate professional competency by passing NCBAHM certification examinations in Foundations of Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture, and Biomedicine.

What is the difference between a Diplomate of Acupuncture and other healthcare practitioners who practice acupuncture?
The Diplomate of Acupuncture (NCBAHM) training and competency verification is in sharp contrast to the acupuncture training of other healthcare professionals such as chiropractors or registered nurses or even medical doctors who typically receive 100-300 hours of abbreviated training. These other healthcare professionals only treat a limited number of points. NCBAHM certified acupuncturists are also trained in standard medical history gathering, safety, and ethics, and recognition of when to refer patients to other health care professionals or consult with other medical practitioners.

About Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine, which includes the practice of acupuncture, Chinese herbalogy and Asian bodywork therapy (ABT), is a comprehensive health care system encompassing a variety of traditional healthcare therapies that have been used for more than 3,000 years to diagnose and treat illness, prevent disease and improve well-being.

What is a Diplomate of Herbal Medicine?
A Diplomate of Herbal Medicine is a practitioner who is certified by the NCBAHM. It is a considerable professional achievement to earn the designation Diplomate of Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM). NCBAHM certification indicates to employers, patients, and peers that one has met national standards for the safe and competent practice of acupuncture and Chinese herbalogy as defined by the acupuncture and herbal medicine (AHM) profession. National board certification in Herbal medicine has been the mark of excellence in AHM since the inception of the Herbal Medicine Certification Program in 2003. Every certified NCBAHM Diplomate must abide by the NCBAHM Code of Ethics.

What Training does an NCBAHM Diplomate of Herbal Medicine have?
Comprehensive training in traditional differential diagnosis and proper treatment methods requires that a Diplomate of Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM) completes three to four academic years of education at the master’s degree level in an Herbal Medicine Program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM). ACAHM is the only accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education as the authority for quality education and training in acupuncture and herbal medicine. In addition to graduation from an ACAHM accredited program, a Diplomate of Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM) must demonstrate professional competency by passing NCBAHM certification examinations in Foundations of Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture with Point Location, Chinese Herbalogy, and Biomedicine.
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What is the difference between a Diplomate of Herbal Medicine and other healthcare practitioners who practice acupuncture and/or herbs?
Generally, the NCBAHM Diplomate training and competency verification is in sharp contrast to the acupuncture and Herbal medicine training of other healthcare professionals such as chiropractors or registered nurses or even medical doctors who typically receive 100-300 hours of abbreviated training. In addition, other healthcare professionals who study acupuncture are not trained or assessed to practice Chinese herbal medicine. Certified (and licensed) acupuncturists and Herbal medicine practitioners are also trained in standard medical history gathering, safety, and ethics, and recognition of when to refer patients to other healthcare professionals or consult with other medical practitioners.