Upholding High Standards in Acupuncture Education

The Association of Acupuncture Clinicians (AAC) is committed to promoting the highest standards of acupuncture education, professional practice and patient safety.

As an organisation, we represent practitioners who have completed a minimum of three years’ degree-level acupuncture training. This education includes extensive study of acupuncture theory, anatomy, physiology, pathology, clinical reasoning, research, professional practice and supervised clinical experience. It is this depth and breadth of training that helps ensure practitioners are equipped to deliver safe, effective and professional patient care.

Recently, concerns have been raised regarding acupuncture training programmes that appear to offer qualification pathways with little or no face-to-face practical assessment. While online learning can be a valuable component of modern education, acupuncture is fundamentally a practical healthcare discipline. Competence cannot be established through theory alone.

Safe acupuncture practice requires far more than an understanding of point locations and treatment protocols. Practitioners must develop and demonstrate proficiency in needling techniques, anatomy, infection prevention and control, patient communication, clinical decision-making, risk management and the recognition and management of adverse events. These are skills that require appropriate supervision, practical training and robust assessment.

The AAC firmly believes that educational standards matter. They matter for the reputation of our profession, but most importantly they matter for patient safety. Members of the public have a right to expect that their practitioner has undergone comprehensive training and has demonstrated competency in both the theoretical and practical aspects of acupuncture.

For this reason, the AAC supports educational pathways that include substantial practical training, supervised clinical experience and meaningful assessment of clinical competence. We believe these elements are essential in preparing practitioners to practise safely, ethically and effectively.

In response to concerns raised by members and the wider profession, the AAC is engaging with relevant organisations and stakeholders to emphasise the importance of maintaining appropriate educational and assessment standards within acupuncture training. We will continue to advocate for high-quality education and professional accountability across the sector.

We are grateful to members who bring concerns to our attention. Maintaining standards is a collective responsibility, and member engagement plays an important role in safeguarding both the profession and the public.

As an association founded on professional excellence, the AAC will continue to champion rigorous education, clinical competence and patient-centred care. We believe that maintaining high standards of training is essential to protecting the public and ensuring acupuncture continues to be recognised as a safe, respected and effective healthcare profession.