ALBANY, NY — State Senator John Liu and Assembly Member Ron Kim today announced the introduction of S9223/A10187, new legislation that would require licensed acupuncturists in New York to pursue continuing education as part of their credentialing process.

The bill would require licensed acupuncturists in New York to complete 45 hours of continuing education every three years, a professional standard already in place for many other healthcare industries under New York’s Education Law. Continuing education requirements would include best practices in areas of infection control, clean needle technique, adverse-event recognition, integrative-care coordination, and ethical/billing documentation.

Licensed acupuncturists currently have no legal obligation to participate in continuing education requirements, unlike many other healthcare providers. With one of the largest acupuncture workforces in the country, establishing best practices through continuing education in New York would help the profession become an even more widely available and affordable healthcare option. While acupuncture is currently covered by some insurance providers, establishing a continuing education requirement similar to those expected of other health professions throughout New York would bring the industry one step closer toward the goal of broader insurance coverage.

Senator John Liu stated, “Acupuncture has been in practice around the world for millennia and has become an increasingly viable option for countless New Yorkers. Continuing education requirements would help further align this increasingly popular healthcare service with the same standards expected of other licensed healthcare providers throughout the state while achieving the important goal of appealing to more insurance providers.”

Assembly Member Ron Kim stated, “Acupuncturists are medical professionals and, like their peers in other fields, should be held to a baseline level of competence, expertise, and professionalism. This is a principle that we share with its many advocates and practitioners, who worked with us to shape this bill and ensure it brings their profession in line with other healthcare providers. We believe that implementing a continuing education requirement will strengthen vocational standards and broaden access to a popular and effective form of medical treatment for even more New Yorkers.”

Dr. Gang Shi(石钢), President of United Alliance of NYS Licensed Acupuncturists, stated, “This bill is extremely important for our community. Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment that can support both mental and physical health at the same time. It can help treat multiple conditions and also prevent illness by improving overall physical well-being. Expanding access to acupuncture will not only improve people’s quality of life, but it will also help reduce healthcare costs and save money for New York State.”

Dr. Robert Lee (이승민), Well Integrative Health, stated, “As acupuncture becomes increasingly integrated into modern healthcare, it is appropriate that its regulatory framework matures alongside its clinical presence. Establishing continuing education requirements strengthens patient safety, reinforces public trust, and aligns our profession with the standards expected of other licensed healthcare providers in New York.”

Dr. Xue Li (李雪), Chief Operating Officer of Acupuncture of America Independent Practice Association (AOAIPA), stated, “Licensed acupuncturists are a part of New York’s healthcare workforce, providing effective, evidence-based care that supports pain management and whole-person health. By establishing continuing education requirements, this legislation will strengthen professional accountability, align acupuncture with other healthcare professions, and ensure that patients across New York continue to receive safe and high-quality care. AOAIPA strongly supports this effort and applauds the leadership of our local state legislators.”

Yemeng Chen, Ph.D, President of  New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, stated, “In the U.S., New York is the second largest state with licensed acupuncturists, so the professional competency enhancement for this profession is a necessity. A continuing education requirement is a must in different professions, but acupuncture is being left behind right now, so this mandate for licensed acupuncturists is a way to elevate this profession to a higher standard. It will promote safety and efficacy for patients and practitioners, and I strongly support this legislation.”

Dr. Beth Nugent, President of Acupuncture Society of New York (ASNY), stated, “ASNY believes that acupuncturists deserve to be recognized as professional healthcare providers that are properly educated, pass rigorous testing requirements, and maintain a high level of competency in our field. In order to be seen as equals in the healthcare industry, we must follow the model that other states have in terms of continuing education. We are grateful to our state legislators for their support of this important legislation.”