Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine Practitioner Rules in Progress

The rules writing process is open to the public. The public is welcome to take part in helping us write rules. Rules are also known as regulations, Washington Administrative Code, or WAC. The rule-making process includes public notices and workshops, and usually a public hearing before a rule becomes final.

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Current rules in progress

Health equity continuing education training requirements

The Department of Health is in the process of filing a CR-102 Proposed Rule Making for WAC 246-803-425 acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioner health equity continuing education training requirements. The proposed new section is to establish health equity continuing education (CE) to implement Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5229 (chapter 276, Laws of 2021.)

Rule Changes

The Department of Health occasionally makes changes to rules. The department determines rule changes are necessary for many reasons including: legislative law changes, request to change a rule, national standards change, and updating outdated rule language. The rules writing process is open to the public. The public is welcome to take part in helping us write rules. Rules are also known as regulations, Washington Administrative Code, or WAC. The rule making process includes public notices and workshops, and usually a public hearing before a rule becomes final.

To get updates about rule making and other topics related to acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioners, please subscribe. After entering your email address, choose Health Systems Quality Assurance, Health Professions, Acupuncture List.

Recently completed rule changes

New continuing education (CE) requirements

The department opened chapter 246-803 WAC to amend the rules to implement the following legislation:

Substitute House Bill (SHB) 1865 (chapter 308, Laws of 2019):

  • Added new requirements for continuing education;
  • Changed “East Asian” to “acupuncture and Eastern medicine”;
  • Deleted the apprenticeship and tutorial requirements; and
  • Made other housekeeping changes.

Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 1551 (chapter 76, Laws of 2020):

The department amended the rules to remove references to AIDs education and training.

Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 2411 (chapter 229, Laws of 2020):

The department added new requirements for suicide prevention and education for acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioners.

The department adopted the rules at a public rules hearing held on February 24, 2021, by webinar. The department thanks everyone who participated in this rule-making process.

The department did not receive any comments to the rules. The department adopted the language as published with the Office of the Code Reviser under WSR 21-09-008 on April 8, 2021.

Regulations for licensed acupuncturists or acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioners in Washington state

The Department of Health amended chapter 246-803 WAC to implement the following legislation:

Senate Bill (SB) 5018 (chapter 87, Laws of 2021):

  1. Amending the definition of “acupuncture and Eastern medicine” to include modern acupuncture and Eastern medicine therapeutic treatments, including treatment of substance use and points and protocols for ear acupuncture;
  2. Expanding the definition of point injection therapy to include injection of local anesthetics, such as lidocaine and procaine for reduction of pain during point injection therapy;
  3. Allowing the use of oxygen and epinephrine for potential emergency purposes; and
  4. Establishing the training and education requirements for the use of local anesthetics, oxygen, and epinephrine.

Substitute House Bill (SHB) 2378 (chapter 80, Laws of 2020).  The department amended the rules that changed the statutory authority for osteopathic physician assistants effective July 1, 2022 which necessitated housekeeping changes in these rules to reflect the new statutory reference.

The department adopted the rules at a public rules hearing held on April 29, 2022 by webinar. The department thanks everyone who participated in this rule-making process.

The department did not receive any comments to the rules. The department adopted the language as published with the office of the Code Reviser under WSR 22-12-0128 on May 23, 2022. The rules are effective July 1, 2022.

Fee changes effective June 1, 2023

The Department of Health filed a CR-103, permanent rule, for WAC 246-803-990. The permanent rule adjusts fee amounts for acupuncturists or acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioners.

The adopted change will more closely align revenue with expenses for the profession, while enabling reserves to be maintained should unanticipated events occur. The new amounts will apply to credentials that are due on or after June 1, 2023.

Acupuncturist or Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine Practitioner Certification Fee
Current Fee Fee effective June 1, 2023
License application $100 License application $60
License renewal $196 License renewal $90
Late renewal penalty $105 Late renewal penalty $50

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