HLS 18RS-671 ORIGINAL
2018 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 421
BY REPRESENTATIVE LEGER
ACUPUNCTURISTS: Provides for the licensing of acupuncturists
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 37:1358, relative to the practice of acupuncture; to provide for
3 licensing of acupuncturists; to repeal the requirement that acupuncturists maintain
4 physician relationships; and to provide for related matters.
5Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 37:1358 is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
7 ยง1358. Licensed acupuncturists; relationship with physician
8 A. The board shall certify as a licensed acupuncturist any of the following:
9 (1) An individual who has graduated from an acupuncture school or college
10 accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
11 or training program approved by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.
12 (2) An individual who has successfully passed the certification examination
13 given by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental
14 Medicine.
15 B. The licensed acupuncturist shall establish and maintain, in accordance
16 with rules and regulations promulgated by the board, a relationship with a physician
17 who operates a physical practice location in Louisiana to provide for referrals and
18 follow-up care which may be necessary.
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 18RS-671 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 421
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 421 Original 2018 Regular Session Leger
Abstract: Revises licensing requirements for acupuncturists.
Present law provides that the Louisiana State Board of Medial Examiners (LSBME) shall
certify as a licensed acupuncturist any of the following:
(1) An individual who has graduated from an acupuncture school or college accredited by
the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
(2) An individual who has successfully passed the certification examination given by the
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Proposed law adds that an individual who has graduated from a training program approved
by the LSBME can also obtain license certification approval by LSBME.
Present law requires a licensed acupuncturist to establish and maintain a relationship with
a physician who has a physical practice location in the state.
Proposed law repeals that duty to maintain a relationship with a physician.
(Amends R.S. 37:1358)
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.