I want other options
How do I find a licensed acupuncturist?
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Look for two things: a state license and national board certification. Most states license acupuncturists, and many use the letters L.Ac. after their name. You can check both online in a few minutes: your state's license lookup for the license, and the national board's registry for certification.
What to do
- Ask your doctor, your health plan or the national board's "Find a Practitioner" directory for two or three names near you.
- Look up each name on your state's license lookup and in the national board's registry.
- Call before you book. Ask about their training, their experience with your concern, the cost, and whether they are in your plan's network.
What to say
Are you licensed in this state, and are you board certified? Have you helped people with [my back pain] before, and how many visits do you usually suggest before we see how it's going?
Ask each acupuncturist the same questions. Then choose the one you feel comfortable with.
What to watch out for
This is a sensitive stepSmall details here can change the outcome, and some mistakes are hard to undo. We highly recommend a free 15-minute call with us before you decide.
Skipping the license check. A friendly website or a certificate on the wall is not the same as a current license. The state lookup shows whether the license is active today.
Also: keeping your care teams apart. Tell your doctor you are starting acupuncture, and tell the acupuncturist about your medicines and health conditions, so everyone works together alongside your care.
Better done together
We’re here to help
Finding someone good can take more time than the appointment itself: names to sort, licenses to check, a plan to call. When you are also caring for a parent, that list gets long fast.
We can help you find two or three licensed acupuncturists near you, check what your plan pays, and work out the questions to ask. Book a free 15-minute call and we'll sort it out with you.
Every situation is different, and these are sensitive moments, so we look at yours with care. We often see what others miss, and we never take commissions from insurance companies: the only thing we are working for is what is right for you.
Free · 15 minutes · No pressure
The rule behind it
Each state decides who may practice acupuncture, and the title varies by state (L.Ac. is common). In 46 states plus Washington, DC, passing the national board exams or holding national board certification is part of getting a license. California runs its own licensing exam. The national board is the National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM), called NCCAOM until January 2026. Board certification lasts four years and is separate from the state license. The NCBAHM registry lists current and former certified practitioners, so the public can check. Its "Find a Practitioner" directory is voluntary, so not every certified acupuncturist is listed there. In some states, doctors and other licensed clinicians may also offer acupuncture under their own license.
Sources
- NCBAHM · Find a Practitioner directory
- NCBAHM · Registry (check certification)
- NCBAHM Help Center · How do I verify that someone is NCBAHM certified?
- NCBAHM Help Center · Certification and state licensure
- NIH NCCIH · Credentialing, licensing, and education
- NIH NCCIH · Things to know when selecting a complementary health practitioner
- NIH NCCIH · Acupuncture: what you need to know
- California Acupuncture Board · Verify a license
Amanda Alcodia
Last reviewed: October 2026
Education, not medical, legal or insurance advice.
Useful next steps
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