Are CAM professions regulated in any way?

Professional licensing and/or regulation of CAM providers varies across the country and is each state’s choice. Some states have regulated certain CAM professionals by requiring licensure, certification, or registration in order to legally practice in their states. Requirements for licensure may include graduation from an accredited training school and the acquisition of a minimum number of hours of training; examination and assessment of knowledge and practice techniques; and knowledge of ethical and professional standards.

States may rely on multiple organizations to assist in their licensing process. Some may create licensing boards comprised of professionals in the field, legal advisors, and government representatives to create licensing regulations, collect licensing and application fees, and determine policies regarding suspension, renewal, and professional behavior. In addition, national professional organizations, setting standards for training, curriculum hours, and professional conduct, may offer examinations to graduates preparing to enter practice. For example, the state of Illinois requires that all acupuncturists who have not practiced in three out of the last five years pass the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists (NCCA) exam or the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) exam to obtain state licensure. Acupuncturists, nutritional counselors, massage therapists, naturopaths, and homeopaths are the professions most commonly regulated by the states.

The professional/occupational office of your state’s government should have credentialing information regarding each occupation it regulates. Most states offer this information on their websites.

Sources:
Illinois Department of Professional Regulation
http://www.dpr.state.il.us/WHO/acupnt.asp

The National Conference of State Legislatures
http://www.ncsl.org