DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 557 Original 2016 Regular Session Jay Morris
Abstract: Provides for the certification of physician acupuncturists, acupuncture detoxification
specialists, and licensed acupuncturists.
Present law requires the La. State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME) to certify, as an
acupuncturist of traditional Chinese acupuncture, a physician licensed to practice medicine in
Louisiana who has successfully completed either of the following:
(1)Six months' training in traditional Chinese acupuncture in a school or clinic approved by the
board.
(2)300 credit hours of continuing medical education in acupuncture designated as category one
continuing medical education hours by the American Medical Association.
Proposed law deletes the reference to traditional Chinese acupuncture and changes the certification
title from acupuncturist to physician acupuncturist.
Present law provides that the board shall certify, as an acupuncture detoxification specialist, an
individual who works under the general supervision of a physician licensed by the board to practice
in the state or under the general supervision of an acupuncturist's assistant certified by the board to
practice in the state and has successfully completed the required training.
Proposed law changes the required supervision by an acupuncturist's assistant to supervision by a
licensed acupuncturist.
Present law requires the board to certify as an acupuncturist's assistant any of the following:
(1)An individual who has successfully completed 36 months of training in a school or clinic of
traditional Chinese acupuncture approved by the board.
(2)An individual who has been appointed or employed at a licensed or accredited La. hospital,
medical school, or clinic to perform acupuncture for research purposes.
(3)An individual who has successfully passed the certification examination given by the
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Proposed law changes the certification title from acupuncturist's assistant to licensed acupuncturist. Further changes the education requirement of 36 months of training in a school or clinic of
traditional Chinese acupuncture to a requirement to graduate from an acupuncture school or college
accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Present law requires the LSBME to formulate rules and regulations that it deems necessary to
regulate the certification of acupuncturists and acupuncturists' assistants and the practice of
traditional Chinese acupuncture in La.
Proposed law repeals present law and further authorizes the LSBME to do any of the following:
(1)Adopt, revise, and enforce rules and regulations that it deems necessary to ensure the
competency of applicants, the protection of the public, and the proper administration of this
proposed law.
(2)Approve the license of duly qualified applicants and deny, suspend, revoke, or place on
probation any licensee who acts beyond the scope of practice or engages in unprofessional
conduct.
(3)Conduct hearings on charges calling for the denial, suspension, or revocation of or the refusal
to renew a license.
(4)Adopt fees under its authority pursuant to present law, for the purpose of administering the
provisions of proposed law.
(5)Establish an advisory committee on acupuncture to provide such assistance as the board may
deem necessary or request in the administration of proposed law.
Present law authorizes the LSBME to certify as an acupuncturist's assistant an individual who has
been appointed or employed at a licensed or accredited La. hospital, medical school, or clinic to
perform acupuncture for research purposes.
Proposed law repeals present law.
(Amends R.S. 37:1356(intro. para.), (1), (4), and (5), 1357(intro. para.) and (1), 1357.1(A)(intro.
para.), and 1358(A)(intro. para.) and (1) and (B), 1359, and 1360 ; Repeals R.S. 37:1358(A)(2))