Acupuncture

Acupuncturist Using the Title "Doctor"

As provided in ORS 676.110 and OAR 847-070-0020(5), an Oregon-licensed acupuncturist who has earned a doctoral degree in acupuncture may use the title “doctor" in connection with the practice of acupuncture if:

The doctoral degree program holds federally recognized accreditation, and
The specific doctoral degree is designated in all professional communications.

As provided in ORS 676.110(2), when using the title, an Oregon-licensed acupuncturist must designate their doctoral degree (examples provided below) on all written or printed matter, including advertisements, billboards, signs, or professional notices used in connection with the health care profession. The designation must be in letters or print at least one-fourth the size of the largest letters used on the written or printed matter and in material, color, type or illumination to give display and legibility of at least one-fourth that of the largest letters used.

The chart below provides the existing Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) accredited degrees and examples of how an Oregon acupuncturist may use the title of “doctor."

ACAOM-Accredited Degree	An Acupuncturist may identify as a...
Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM)	Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine or Doctor of Acupuncture
Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc)	Doctor of Acupuncture
Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc) with a Chinese herbal medicine specialization	Doctor of Acupuncture
Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM)	Doctor of Acupuncture
Doctor of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (DAHM)	Doctor of Acupuncture
Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (DTCM)	Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Doctor of Oriental Medicine (DOM)	Doctor of Oriental Medicine
Doctor of Science in Oriental Medicine (DSOM)	Doctor of Oriental Medicine

Acupuncture Advisory Committee

The Oregon Medical Board's Acupuncture Advisory Committee is composed of three acupuncturists, two physicians, and a Board member. The committee makes recommendations to the Board on licensing, investigations, education, and issues related to acupuncture in Oregon. It meets twice a year, in June and December, with additional meetings if necessary. The term of office for committee members is three years. The Oregon Medical Board must ratify all committee actions.

To request the Committee review an acupuncture practice topic, please complete a review request form.

Sign up to receive OMB Acupuncture related updates by going to Subscriber Lists and selecting the Acupuncture Interested Parties topic.

Committee Information

Acupuncture Resources