Acupuncture Registration Requirements

A Doctor of Chiropractic wishing to become registered to perform acupuncture in conjunction with their chiropractic practice must complete an approved program as described below. Once completed, the chiropractor must submit a certificate of completion along with an acupuncture application (see “How to Apply”) and an application fee to the MBCE. 

Approved programs must be at least 100 hours of acupuncture-related education, consisting of a minimum of 30% in-person/hands-on learning. This program may be offered by an accredited school or separately approved by the board. Additionally, applicants must either pass the Acupuncture Examination administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE), or the examination administered by the National Certification Commission on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).  Applicants applying under Minn. R. 2500.0800 may submit an affidavit stating that they have the specified amount of education and experience. For more information please see Minn. R. 2500.3000, Subd.2.

Acupuncture registrations must be renewed annually by September 15 with an online renewal application and $50 renewal fee.

It is your responsibility to understand and comply with the regulations. You may review Minn. R. 2500.3000-2500.3300 for further information. Please call the MBCE office at 651-201-2850 if you have any questions.

• Acupuncture Application - Initial
• Acupuncture Application - Reinstate from Inactive
• Acupuncture Application - Reinstate from Lapsed

In 1995, Minn. Stat. 147B.02 was enacted regarding acupuncture.  This statute was designed to apply to all other persons who were engaging in the practice of acupuncture, requiring them to become registered with the Board of Medical Practice.  This statute specifically exempted Doctors of Chiropractic from this registration requirement, provided they were properly registered under the Board of Chiropractic Examiners, and that they were using the acupuncture to prepare the patient for chiropractic adjustment or complement the chiropractic adjustment.  Any Doctor of Chiropractic who wishes to perform acupuncture without also providing chiropractic care to a patient, may do so provided they are appropriately registered under the Board of Medical Practice.

Military exemption: Special provisions pertaining to a waiver of the above requirements for military personnel who are or have recently been actively deployed may be found at Minn. Stat. 326.55 and Minn. Stat. 326.56.

The MBCE maintains an online search tool for all MBCE approved courses in Continuing Education (CE).  MBCE also accepts CE from approved PACE providers.

Initial Acupuncture Registration Fee = $100.00
Active Acupuncture Renewal Fee = $50.00
Inactive Acupuncture Renewal Fee = $25.00
Acupuncture Reinstatement Fee = $100.00