In California, licensed acupuncturists are required to renew their licenses every two years. As part of the renewal process, practitioners must complete 50 hours of continuing education (CE) within each two-year period. These CE courses must be approved by the California Acupuncture Board and should be relevant to the practice of acupuncture and Asian medicine. 


Continuing Education Requirements:

  • Total Hours: 50 hours of Board-approved CE every two years.

  • Live Instruction: At least 50% (25 hours) must be completed through live instruction, which includes in-person courses or live webinars. The remaining hours can be obtained through independent or home study courses, such as self-paced or pre-recorded instruction. 

    California Acupuncture Board


  • Law and Ethics: A minimum of 4 hours must focus on laws and ethics related to acupuncture practice. This requirement is waived for licensees renewing an initial license issued for less than two years. 

    California Acupuncture Board


  • Category 2 Courses: No more than 5 hours can be earned from Category 2 courses, which are unrelated to clinical matters or direct patient care. Examples include practice management courses unrelated to clinical matters and breathing exercises intended for the practitioner's benefit. 

    California Acupuncture Board


Record-Keeping and Audits:

Licensees must retain records of all completed CE courses for a minimum of four years. While it's not necessary to submit these records with the renewal application, the Board may conduct random audits to verify compliance. 


Inactive License Status:

Practitioners not actively practicing in California can request an "Inactive Status" for their license. While inactive licensees are exempt from CE requirements, they must still pay the biennial renewal fee. To reactivate an inactive license, the practitioner must complete the required CE hours and submit an application to restore active status.