Section 1140.40  Acupuncture Curriculum

The Division shall, upon the recommendation of the Board of Acupuncture, approve an applicant's acupuncture curriculum if it meets the following minimum criteria:

a)         The school from which the applicant was graduated:

1)         Is legally recognized and authorized by the jurisdiction in which it is located to confer an acupuncture degree; and

2)         Has a faculty that comprises a sufficient number of full-time instructors to make certain that the educational obligations to the student are fulfilled.  The faculty must have demonstrated competence as evidenced by appropriate degrees in their areas of teaching from professional colleges or institutions; and

3)         Maintains permanent student records that summarize the credentials for admission, attendance and grades and other records of performance.

b)         Curriculum shall be a minimum of at least 3 academic years and no less than 27 calendar months (a minimum of 1950 hours or its equivalent). This must be composed of at least:

1)         890 hours (or its equivalent) in theory and treatment techniques in acupuncture and related studies. 

A)        Topics shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

i)          History of Acupuncture;

ii)         Basic Theory.   Topics include, but are not limited to, basic Yin-Yang theory, 8 principles and 5 elements; Zang (viscera) organs and Fu (bowels) organs and extraordinary organs; theory and function of channels (meridians) and collaterals; Qi, blood and body fluids; Qi tonification (supplementation) and sedation (reducing); etiology (the causes of diseases) such as 6 exogenous, 7 emotional factors and non-internal or non-external reasons; pathology;

iii)         Point Location and Channel (Meridian) Theory.  Topics include, but are not limited to, nomenclature and distribution of the 14 channels on the body surface – 12 regular channels, Ren (conception) channel and Du (governing) channel; classification of points; points study should include the method of locating the points, anatomic structures, classification of points, functions and indications, and contraindications; know the specific points, such as Five Shu points, Yuan (source) points, Luo (connecting) points, Xi (cleft) points, Back-Shu points, Front-Mu points, Crossing points; 8 extraordinary channels and points;

iv)        Acupuncture Treatment.  Topics include, but are not limited to, use of the special evaluation method, differentiation of syndromes according to 8 principles, Qi and blood, Zang-Fu organs and theory of meridians and collaterals; case review, based on history of the patient and charting; the four-examination methods; measuring and recording vital signs and symptoms, to make treatment plans and future prognosis; contraindications of treatment; indications of potential risk to the patient; the need to modify standard therapeutic approach (e.g., infants and children, pregnancy) and apparently benign presentations that may have a more serious cause (hypertension, headaches);

v)         Treatment Techniques.  Topics include, but are not limited to, needle insertion: depth, duration, manipulation and withdrawal; the appearance of Qi; Moxa:  application, direct and indirect, etc.; other techniques (e.g., bleeding, moxibustion, cupping, Gua Sha, 7 star); tonification and sedation techniques; knowledge relating to the treatment of acute and chronic conditions, first aid, analgesia, anesthesia, and electrical stimulation; safety issues; Oriental bodywork therapy (e.g., Tui Na, Shiatsu, Amma, acupressure, etc.);  contraindication for certain conditions; and

vi)        Ethics and Practice Management.  Topics include confidentiality; informed consent; HIPPA guidelines; understanding the scope of practice; recordkeeping: legal requirements, release of data; ethical and legal aspects of referring patients to another practitioner; professional conduct and appropriate interpersonal behavior; laws and regulations governing the practice of acupuncture; recognition and clarification of patient expectations; general liability insurance; legal requirements; professional liability insurance: risk management and quality assurance; building and managing a practice, including ethical and legal aspects of third party reimbursement; professional development.

B)        No more than 90 hours may count towards history and ethics and practice management.

2)         660 hours (or its equivalent) in clinical training.

A)        The program must assure that each student participates in a minimum of 500 hours in the supervised care of patients using acupuncture.  This portion of the clinical training, conducted under the supervision of program-approved supervisors, must consist of 250 student-performed treatments where students conduct patient interviews, participate in treatment planning, perform appropriate acupuncture treatments, and follow up on patients' responses to treatment.

B)        The supervised clinical practice must be an internship that provides the student training in all phases of patient care and must be conducted in a teaching clinic operated by the institution or in a clinical facility with a formal affiliation with the institution where the institution exercises academic oversight substantially equivalent to the academic oversight exercised for teaching clinics operated by the institution, where:

i)          Clinical instructors' qualifications meet school requirements for clinical instruction;

ii)         Regular, systematic evaluation of the clinical experience takes place; and

iii)         Clinical training supervision procedures are substantially equivalent to those within the teaching clinic operated by the institution.  Student interns must receive training from a variety of clinical faculty in order to ensure that interns are exposed to different practice styles and instructional methods.

C)        Of the remaining 160 hours, 150 hours must be acquired in observation.

3)         400 hours (or its equivalent) in biomedical clinical sciences.

A)        Biomedical Clinical Sciences.  Topics include, but are not limited to, basic science courses; biomedical and clinical concepts and terms; human anatomy and physiology; pathology and the biomedical disease model; pharmacology; the nature of the biomedical clinical process, including history taking, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up; the clinical relevance of laboratory and diagnostic tests and procedures, as well as biomedical physical examination findings; and

B)        Clean Needle Technique.  Topics include infectious diseases, sterilization procedures, needle handling and disposal, and other issues relevant to bloodborne and surface pathogens; the basis and need for referral and/or consultation; the range of biomedical referral resources and the modalities they employ.

c)         An individual who is deficient in course work may complete the required courses at a regionally accredited college or university or a school of acupuncture accredited by ACAOM.  The individual will be required to submit a transcript from the program indicating successful completion of the course and a course description.

(Source:  Amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 2512, effective February 8, 2006)