AB 1943 Text

--Type Summary Here--

Additions to previous version are in italic text. Deletions to existing law are in strike-through text.

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AB 1943 Current Amended Text - June 17, 2002

AB 1943 AMENDED

    AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 17, 2002
    AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 29, 2002
    AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 15, 2002

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Chu
  (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Alquist, Cardenas, Chan, Diaz, Firebaugh, Frommer, Havice, Keeley, Koretz, Maddox, Migden, Mountjoy, Robert Pacheco, Pavley, Shelley, and Strom-Martin, and Wyman )

   (Coauthor:  Senator Burton) (Coauthors: Senators Burton, Karnette, Romero, and Scott)
  An act to amend Section 4939 of, and to add Section 4965.5 to, the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 SECTION 1.  It is the intent of the Legislature that a 4,000 hour curriculum for the licensure of acupuncturists be developed and
implemented by 2010.

 SEC. 2.  Section 4939 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:
  4939.  (a) The board shall establish standards for the approval of schools and colleges offering education and training in the practice of acupuncture an acupuncturist, including standards for the faculty in those schools and colleges, and tutorial programs, completion of which will satisfy the
requirements of Section 4938.
  (b) Standards for the approval of training programs shall include a minimum of 3,000 hours of study in curriculum pertaining to the practice of acupuncture an acupuncturist.  This subdivision shall apply to all students entering programs on or before after January 1, 2004.  
  (c) Within three years of initial approval by the board, each program so approved by the board shall receive full institutional approval under Article 3.5 (commencing with Section 94760) of Chapter 7 of Part 59 of the Education Code in the field of traditional oriental medicine, or in the case of institutions located outside of this state, approval by the appropriate governmental educational authority using standards equivalent to those of Article 3.5 (commencing with Section 94760) of Chapter 7 of Part 59 of the Education Code, or the board's approval of the program shall automatically lapse.

[NOTE: Above (c) is existing law that was accidentally deleted by the previous amendment to this bill, and had to be re-inserted]

 SEC. 3.  Section 4965.5 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:
  4965.5.  An acupuncturist licensed prior to January 1, 2003, shall complete 450 hours of continuing education courses in acupuncture , in addition to those required by Section 4945, by January 1, 2013, in order to renew his or her license.  Satisfactory completion of this continuing education requirement shall be determined by the board.

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AB 1943 Current Amended Text - April 23, 2002

AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 23, 2002
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 15, 2002
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Chu FEBRUARY 14, 2002
Coauthors: Assembly Members Alquist, Cardenas, Firebaugh, Frommer, Koretz, Robert Pacheco, Shelley, and Strom-Martin, Senator Burton

An act to amend Section 4939 of, and to add Section 4965.5 to, the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature that a 4,000 hour curriculum for the licensure of acupuncturists be developed and implemented by 2010.

SECTION 2. Section 4939 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4939. (a) The board shall establish standards for the approval of schools and colleges offering education and training in the practice of an acupuncturis acupuncture, including standards for the faculty in those schools and colleges, and tutorial programs, completion of which will satisfy the requirements of Section 4938.

(b) Standards for the approval of training programs shall include a minimum of 3000 hours of study in curriculum pertaining to the practice of acupuncture. This subdivision shall apply to all students entering programs on or before January 1, 2004.

SECTION 3. Section 4965.5 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:

4965.5. An acupuncturist licensed prior to January 1, 2003, shall complete 450 hours of continuing education courses in acupuncture by January 1, 2013, in order to renew his or her license.

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AB 1943 AMENDED BILL TEXT - April 14, 2002

AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 15, 2002
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Chu FEBRUARY 14, 2002
Coauthors: Assembly Members Alquist, Cardenas, Firebaugh, Frommer, Koretz, Robert Pacheco, and Strom-Martin

An act to amend Section 4939 of, and to add Section 4965.5 to, the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature that a 4,000 hour curriculum for the licensure of acupuncturists be developed and implemented by 2010.

SEC. 2. Section 4939 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4939. (a) The board shall establish standards for the approval of schools and colleges offering education and training in the practice of an acupuncturist, including standards for the faculty in those schools and colleges, and tutorial programs, completion of which will satisfy the requirements of Section 4938.
(1) Standards for the approval of training programs shall include a minimum of all of the following:
  (A) Seven hundred hours of didactic and laboratory study in basic sciences and clinical medicine.
  (B) Eight hundred hours of study in the principles and techniques of traditional oriental medicine.
  (C) Four hundred hours of didactic and laboratory study in herbal medicine.
  (D) One hundred hours of study in ethics, hygiene, and practice management.
  (E) One thousand hours of study and practice in supervised clinical practice.
(2) This subdivision shall apply to all students entering programs on or before January 1, 2004.

SEC. 3. Section 4965.5 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:

4965.5. An acupuncturist licensed prior to January 1, 2003, shall complete 450 hours of continuing education courses in acupuncture by January 1, 2013, in order to renew his or her license.


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AB 1943 - Original Version - February 14, 2002

CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY BILL 1943

INTRODUCED BY  Assembly Member Chu

FEBRUARY 14, 2002

  An act to amend Sections 4935, 4937, 4938, 4939, and 4940 of the
Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
  (a) In order to encourage the more effective utilization of
acupuncture and oriental medicine services, to provide California
citizens a holistic approach, and to promote the health, safety, and
welfare of the public, the Legislature created the Acupuncture
Licensing Act as a framework to establish a profession that would
provide these services.  Later, the Legislature expanded
acupuncturists' status to that of independent practitioners, and then
again, to that of a primary health care profession.
  (b) There is continued reporting of shortages of qualified primary
care professionals who minister to the needs of citizens who suffer
from pain, work-related injuries, and other non-life-threatening
illnesses.  A complete education, including a core knowledge in basic
sciences and clinical medicine, is vital and necessary for the
effective and efficient delivery of health care services, and for the
smooth referral of patients from one health care professional to
another within in the modern and highly regulated system of health
care.
  (c) Since educational standards were last determined for
acupuncturists in 1984, tremendous changes have occurred in health
care that require corresponding changes and improvements in
educational standards required for entry into the licensed
acupuncturist profession.  Among these factors are the facts that:
  (1) The scope of practice of the licensed acupuncturist has been
expanded.
  (2) Experts have consistently recommended more education.
  (3) The role of acupuncturists in worker's compensation would
benefit from additional training.
  (4) The public has raised expectations for knowledgeable healing
arts professionals.
  (5) The incorporation of acupuncturists into managed care requires
standardized patient assessment, diagnoses, and reporting.
  (6) Safety issues about herbal medicine and dietary supplements
have become common concerns.
  (7) Standardized clinical examinations previously required for
licensure have been eliminated.
  (8) The World Health Organization has developed internationally
standardized nomenclature and training guidelines for acupuncturists.

  (9) The United States Food and Drug Administration has recognized
acupuncture needles as a medical device.
  (10) The United States Congress has adopted legislation to
regulate dietary supplements and herbs.
  (11) The National Institutes of Health has adopted a Consensus
Statement on Acupuncture, recognizing a need for utilizing
acupuncture in the American system of health care.
  (d) For these reasons, and others, the Legislature is making the
following changes in standards for training and licensing of
acupuncturists in the state.
 SEC. 2.  Section 4935 of the Business and Professions Code is
amended to read:
  4935.  (a) Any person who practices acupuncture or holds himself
or herself out as practicing or engaging in the practice of
acupuncture, unless he or she possesses a current and valid
acupuncturist's license, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
  (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person, other
than a physician and surgeon, a dentist, or a podiatrist, who is not
licensed under this article but is licensed under Division 2
(commencing with Section 500), who practices acupuncture
involving the application of a needle to the human body ,
performs any acupuncture technique or method involving the
application of a needle to the human body , or directs,
manages, or supervises another person in performing acupuncture
involving the application of a needle to the human body
is guilty of a misdemeanor.
  (c) A person holds himself or herself out as engaging in the
practice of acupuncture and oriental medicine by the use
of any title or description of services incorporating the words
"acupuncture," "acupuncturist," "certified acupuncturist," "licensed
acupuncturist," "oriental medicine," "doctor of oriental
medicine," "Chinese herbal medicine," or any combination of
those words, phrases, or abbreviations of those words or phrases, or
by representing that he or she is trained, experienced, or an expert
in the field of acupuncture, oriental medicine, or Chinese medicine.

  (d) Subdivision (a) shall not prohibit a person from administering
acupuncture and oriental medicine treatment as part of
his or her educational training if he or she meets either of the
following requirements :
  (1) Is He or she is engaged in a
course or tutorial program in acupuncture and oriental medicine
, as provided in this chapter ; or .

  (2) Is He or she a graduate of a
school of acupuncture and oriental medicine approved by
the board and participating in a postgraduate review course that does
not exceed one year in duration at a school approved by the board.

 SEC. 3.  Section 4937 of the Business and Professions Code is
amended to read:
  4937.  An acupuncturist's license authorizes the holder thereof:
  (a) To diagnose within the scope of practice of acupuncture
and oriental medicine.
  (b) To engage in the practice of acupuncture and
oriental medicine .  
  (b)
  (c) To perform or , prescribe
the use of administer, or dispense
oriental massage, acupressure, breathing techniques, exercise, heat,
cold, magnets, nutrition, diet, herbs, plant, animal, and mineral
products, and dietary supplements to promote, maintain, and restore
health.  Nothing in this section prohibits any person who does not
possess an acupuncturist's license or another license as a healing
arts practitioner from performing, or prescribing the use of any
modality listed in this subdivision.  
  (c)
  (d) For purposes of this section, a "magnet" means a mineral
or metal that produces a magnetic field without the application of
an electric current.  
  (d)
  (e) For purposes of this section, "plant, animal, and
mineral products" means naturally occurring substances of plant,
animal, or mineral origin, except that it does not include synthetic
compounds, controlled substances or dangerous drugs as defined in
Sections 4021 and 4022, or a controlled substance listed in Chapter 2
(commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and
Safety Code.  
  (e)
  (f) For purposes of this section, "dietary supplement" has
the same meaning as defined in subsection (ff) of Section 321 of
Title 21 of the United States Code, except that dietary supplement
does not include controlled substances or dangerous drugs as defined
in Section 4021 or 4022, or a controlled substance listed in Chapter
2 (commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and
Safety Code.
 SEC. 4.  Section 4938 of the Business and Professions Code is
amended to read:
  4938.  The board shall issue a license to practice acupuncture
and oriental medicine to any person who makes an
application and meets the following requirements:
  (a) Is at least 18 years of age.
  (b) Furnishes satisfactory evidence of completion of one of the
following:
  (1) An educational and training program approved by the board
pursuant to Section 4939.
  (2) Satisfactory completion of a tutorial program in the practice
of an acupuncturist which is approved by the board.
  (3) In the case of an applicant who has completed education and
training outside the United States and Canada
California , documented educational training and clinical
experience which meets the standards established pursuant to Sections
4939 and 4941.
  (c) Passes a written examination administered by the board that
tests the applicant's ability, competency, and knowledge in the
practice of an acupuncturist acupuncture and
oriental medicine .  The written examination shall be developed
by the Office of Examination Resources of the Department of Consumer
Affairs.
  (d) Is not subject to denial pursuant to Division 1.5 (commencing
with Section 475).
  (e) Completes a clinical internship training program approved by
the board.  The clinical internship training program shall not exceed
nine months in duration and shall be located in a clinic in this
state, which is approved by the board pursuant to Section 4939.  The
length of the clinical internship shall depend upon the grades
received in the examination and the clinical training already
satisfactorily completed by the individual prior to taking the
examination.  On and after January 1, 1987, individuals with 800 or
more hours of documented clinical training shall be deemed to have
met this requirement.  The purpose of the clinical internship
training program shall be to assure a minimum level of clinical
competence.  
  (f) Each applicant who qualifies for a license shall pay, as
a condition precedent to its issuance and in addition to other fees
required, the initial licensure fee.
 SEC. 5.  Section 4939 of the Business and Professions Code is
amended to read:
  4939.  (a) The board shall establish standards for the approval of
schools and colleges offering education and training in the practice
of an acupuncturist, including standards for the faculty in those
schools and colleges, and tutorial programs, completion of which will
satisfy the requirements of Section 4938.
  (b) (1) Standards for the approval of training programs shall
include a minimum of all of the following:
  (A) Seven hundred fifty hours of didactic and laboratory study in
basic sciences and clinical medicine.
  (B) Eight hundred fifty hours of study in the principles and
techniques of traditional oriental medicine.
  (C) Four hundred fifty hours of didactic and laboratory study in
herbal medicine.
  (D) One hundred hours of study in ethics, hygiene, and practice
management.
  (E) One thousand fifty hours of study and practice in supervised
clinical practice.
  This paragraph shall apply to all students entering programs
between January 1, 2003, and January 1, 2007, and to all persons who
apply for a license between January 1, 2007, and January 1, 2011.
  (2) Standards for the approval of training programs shall include
a minimum of the following:
  (A) One thousand hours of didactic and laboratory study in basic
sciences and clinical medicine.
  (B) One thousand hours of study in the principles and techniques
of traditional oriental medicine.
  (C) Five hundred hours of didactic and laboratory study in herbal
medicine.
  (D) One hundred hours of study in ethics, hygiene, and practice
management.
  (E) One thousand four hundred hours of study and practice in
supervised clinical practice.
  This paragraph shall apply to students entering programs after
January 1, 2007, and to persons who apply for a license after January
1, 2011.
  (c) Clinical faculty shall be required to have five years
experience as a licensed acupuncturist.
  (d) (1) Board approval of schools and colleges shall be valid for
a period of time determined by the board, not to exceed four years,
and shall expire at the end of that period.
  (2) The board shall establish a review process.
  (3) The board may revoke, suspend, or otherwise place conditions
upon a school or college at any time it may be determined that an
approved school or college fails to meet the criteria established by
the board.
  (e) Within three years of initial approval by the board each
program so approved by the board shall receive full institutional
approval under Article 3.5 (commencing with Section 94760) of Chapter
7 of Part 59 of the Education Code in the field of traditional
oriental medicine, or in the case of institutions located outside of
this state, approval by the appropriate governmental educational
authority using standards equivalent to those of Article 3.5
(commencing with Section 94760) of Chapter 7 of Part 59 of the
Education Code, or the board's approval of the program shall
automatically lapse.  
  (c) This section shall become operative on January 1, 1997.

 SEC. 6.  Section 4940 of the Business and Professions Code is
amended to read:
  4940.  (a) The board shall establish standards for the approval of
tutorial programs for education and training in the practice of
acupuncture and oriental medicine , that satisfy the
requirements of Section 4938.  The board shall also establish
standards for the approved supervising acupuncturists.
  (b) An acupuncturist shall be approved to supervise a trainee,
provided the supervisor meets the following conditions:
  (1) Is licensed to practice acupuncture and oriental medicine
in this state and that license is current, valid, and has not
been suspended or revoked or otherwise subject to disciplinary
action.
  (2) Has filed an application with the board.
  (3) Files with the board the name of each trainee to be trained or
employed and a training program satisfactory to the board.
  (4) Does not train or employ more than two acupuncture
trainees at any one time.
  (5) Has at least 10 years of experience practicing as an
acupuncturist and has been licensed in this state for at least five
years.
  (6) Is found by the board to have the knowledge necessary to
educate and train the trainee in the practice of an acupuncturist.

  The amendments made to this section at the 1993 portion of the
1993-94 Regular Session of the Legislature shall not affect the
approval of any supervising acupuncturist which has been issued prior
to the effective date of those amendments.
 SEC. 7.  No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the
only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district
will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction,
eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime
or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government
Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of
Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.