To work as an acupuncturist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree; and
• graduate from an accredited acupuncture school.

Education after high school

To become a licensed acupuncturist, you must complete an acupuncture program. Acupuncture programs grant Master of Oriental Medicine (MOM) and Doctor of Oriental Medicine (DOM) degrees.

When studying oriental anatomy, you learn about energy meridians and acu-points along the meridians. You also learn which points are useful for the treatment of various illnesses and imbalances. Gradually, students focus more on clinical practices including diagnosis through observation, evaluating pulses, and interviewing patients about symptoms and lifestyle practices.

Before entering acupuncture school, most students earn a bachelor's degree. If you earn a liberal arts degree, be sure to take courses in anatomy, biology, and chemistry.

On-the-job training

While in acupuncture school, you spend much of the last year working in a clinical setting. Clinical work emphasizes diagnosing and treating patients with acupuncture and herbal medicines.