Connecticut Legislative Update

By Regina Walsh, L.Ac.
Secretary, Connecticut Society of AOM

On May 8, 2009 Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell signed into law Public Act 09-21-

"An Act Concerning the Practice of Acupuncture". The law provides a title protection to Connecticut’s licensed acupuncturists.

With the passage of this law, a health practitioner must be licensed by the state of Connecticut as an acupuncturist to use the title of "acupuncturist" or "licensed acupuncturist". Other professions will no longer be allowed to use either term professionally or in their promotional material or advertising.

Passage of this title protection is a vital first step in clearing up consumer confusion regarding the training, qualifications and expertise of acupuncture practitioners.

Connecticut’s current law allows certain professions to practice acupuncture without meeting the requirements of acupuncture licensure. Specifically, physicians, chiropractors, podiatrists, natureopaths, physical therapists and dentists are allowed to practice acupuncture meeting only the standards of their own professional State Boards. They are subject only to the requirement that the acupuncture services they perform are “consistent with accepted standards within their respective professions”.

Passage of Connecticut’s title protection is the result of sustained effort on the part of dedicated members of the Connecticut Society of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CSAOM), legislators and acupuncture patients. The effort was also supported with the help of the National Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).