§ 18.11. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Acupuncture—(i) The stimulation of certain points on or near the surface of the body by the insertion of needles to prevent or alleviate the perception of pain or to normalize physiological functions, including pain control, for the treatment of certain diseases or dysfunctions of the body.
(ii) The term also includes the use of supplemental techniques.
Acupuncture educational program—Training and instruction in acupuncture or supplemental acupuncture techniques offered by a degree-granting institution authorized by the Department of Education that leads to a master’s degree, master’s level certificate or diploma or first professional degree, that meets the relevant and appropriate requirements of 22 Pa. Code (relating to education) and 24 Pa.C.S. Chapter 65 (relating to private colleges, universities and seminaries) and that meets or exceeds the standards required for acupuncture or Oriental medicine programs established by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.
Acupuncture examination—An examination recognized by the Board to test whether an individual has accumulated sufficient academic knowledge with respect to the practice of acupuncture to qualify for the privilege of practicing as an acupuncturist in this Commonwealth.
Acupuncture medical program—An academic or clinical program of study in acupuncture which has been given category I continuing medical education credit by an institution accredited or recognized by the Accreditation Council on Continuing Medical Education to conduct category I continuing medical education courses.
Acupuncturist—An individual licensed to practice acupuncture by the Board.
East Asian herbology—The use of herbal preparations and products that contain as active ingredients parts of plants, minerals and other organic materials, or a combination thereof, administered according to East Asian medicine tradition to normalize function.
East Asian herbology examination—An examination recognized by the Board to test whether an acupuncturist has accumulated sufficient academic knowledge with respect to the practice of herbal therapy to qualify for licensure as a practitioner of Oriental medicine in this Commonwealth.
Herbal therapy—The application of East Asian herbology to the treatment of acupuncture patients.
NCCAOM—The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine or its successor organization.
OET—The English language test for healthcare professionals or its successor examination.
Practitioner of Oriental medicine—An acupuncturist who is licensed by the Board to use herbal therapy.
Supplemental techniques—The use of traditional and modern Oriental therapeutics, heat therapy, moxibustion, electrical and low-level laser stimulation, acupressure and other forms of massage, and counseling that includes the therapeutic use of foods and supplements and lifestyle modifications.
TOEFL®—The Test of English as a Foreign Language offered by Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Authority The provisions of this § 18.11 amended under section 3 of the Acupuncture Licensure Act (63 P.S. § 1803); and section 8 of the Medical Practice Act of 1985 (63 P.S. § 422.8).
Source The provisions of this § 18.11 adopted January 2, 1987, effective immediately and applies retroactively to December 31, 1986, 17 Pa.B. 24; amended May 19, 1989, effective May 20, 1989, 19 Pa.B. 2161; amended April 13, 2007, effective April 14, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 1644; amended January 8, 2010, effective January 9, 2010, 40 Pa.B. 250; amended September 15, 2023, effective September 16, 2023, 53 Pa.B. 5759. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (347371) to (347372).
Cross References This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 5.81 (relating to unprofessional and immoral conduct); and 49 Pa. Code § 18.15a (relating to scope of practice of acupuncturists and practitioners of Oriental medicine).
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