What are the Different Levels of Acupuncturists?
Generally speaking, there are three different levels of acupuncturists in the United States. The different levels depend on training, degree earned, and practice experience. An average acupuncturist is generally someone who graduated from a 3-5 year acupuncture program and has 1-5 years of clinical experience. This designation applies to about 70% of acupuncturists. An experienced acupuncture specialist is generally someone with 5-8 years of acupuncture training and with 6-15 years of clinical experience. This applies to about 22% of acupuncturists. An acupuncture expert/master is someone with a doctoral degree in Oriental medicine or acupuncture, with 9-11 years of training in Oriental medicine or acupuncture, and with more than 15 years of clinical experience. This can also be someone who does not earn a doctoral degree but has more than 30 years of clinical experience. They are the top acupuncturists. We are among the some 2% of all acupuncturists who are in this category.
