Regulations

It is the responsibility of NADA providers to know the regulations pertaining to the practice of the NADA protocol in the state in which they reside.

NADA encourages its providers and advocates to be politically active and aware, insofar as working toward making laws more conducive to serving the NADA mission.

States and Provinces that Regulate the NADA Protocol

Non-acupuncturist health providers can be trained in the following states and provinces. Click on the + icon to review the regulations.

Arizona

Specific Credentials and/or Additional Qualifications to Practice

Physician Assistants and Chiropractors must complete a clean needling technique course and training program in auricular acupuncture

Supervision Requirements:

General supervision by a Licensed Acupuncturist

Scope of Practice:

The NADA protocol must be provided for the purpose of treating alcoholism, substance abuse, or chemical dependency.

Copy of Statute

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Arkansas

NADA Trained- Only Qualification Needed to Practice

Supervision Requirements:

General supervision by a Doctor of Oriental Medicine

Scope of Practice:

The five point NADA protocol must be provided for the purpose of substance abuse treatment.

Copy of Statute

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Colorado

Specific Credentials and/or Additional Qualifications to Practice

NADA trained

Supervision Requirements:

Not required

Scope of Practice:

The NADA protocol must be provided within the provider’s current scope of practice

Copy of Statute

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Connecticut

NADA Trained- Only Qualification Needed to Practice

Supervision Requirements:

General supervision by a MD that is within 20 minutes of site, with a review and on-site visit every 3 months   Scope of Practice: The NADA protocol must be provided in a state, federal, or board approaved alcohol, substance abuse, nicotine dependency, or chemical dependency program or other healthcare setting approved by the Board and Council.

Scope of Practice:

Any person trained by NADA may practice the five-point protocol as an adjunct therapy for alcohol and drug abuse treatment and other behavioral interventions.

Practice may be conducted in:

  1. a private freestanding facility licensed by the Dept. of Public Health that provides care or treatment for substance abusive or dependent persons,
  2. a setting operated by the Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services, or
  3. any other setting where the protocol is an appropriate adjunct therapy to a substance abuse or behavioral health treatment program.

Copy of Statute

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Delaware

NADA Trained- Only Qualification Needed to Practice

Specific Credentials and/or Additional Qualifications to Practice

Individuals that have a current license or certificate, are in good standing in a healthcare related profession, are approved by the Acupuncture Advisory Council and the Medical Board

Supervision Requirements:

The NADA protocol must be provided in a state, federal, or board approaved alcohol, substance abuse, nicotine dependency, or chemical dependency program or other healthcare setting approved by the Board and Council.

Scope of Practice:

The NADA protocol must be provided in a state, federal, or board approaved alcohol, substance abuse, nicotine dependency, or chemical dependency program or other healthcare setting approved by the Board and Council.

Copy of Statute

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Georgia

NADA Trained- Only Qualification Needed to Practice

Specific Credentials and/or Additional Qualifications to Practice

Practitioners must be at least 21 years of age MDs that complete a nationally recognized training program in auricular detoxification therapy and a clean needle technique course approved by the Medical Board, or that are granted license by the Medical Board may practice

Supervision Requirements:

Direct supervision by a Licensed Acupuncturist, or a MD that has completed the necessary training and is approved by the Medical Board

Scope of Practice:

The NADA protocol must be provided in a city, county, state, federal, or private chemical dependency program approved by the Medical Board.

Copy of Statute

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Indiana

NADA Trained- Only Qualification Needed to Practice

Specific Credentials and/or Additional Qualifications to Practice

Chiropractors, Dentists, and Podiatrists must complete an acupuncture training (at least 200 hours) approved by the Medical Licensing Board

Supervision Requirements:

General supervision by a Licensed Acupuncturist or MD

Scope of Practice:

The NADA protocol must be provided within the context of a state, federal, or board approved alcohol, substance abuse, or chemical dependencty program.

Copy of Statute

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Louisiana

NADA Trained- Only Qualification Needed to Practice

 

 Supervision Requirements:

General supervision by an Acupuncturist Assistant or MD

Scope of Practice:

Practice is allowed within the state. ADSs from other states certified by NADA may practice in LA during a public health emergency and for periods therafter deemed necessary by the Department of Health and Hospitals.

Copy of Statute

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Maine

Specific Credentials and/or Additional Qualifications to Practice

Certified alcohol and drug counselor or licensed alcohol and drug counselor; physician or physician assistant; nurse or nurse practitioner; professional counselor or clinical professional counselor; psychologist; licensed social worker, conditional licensed social worker, licensed clinical social worker or licensed master social worker, conditional.

Supervision Requirements

General supervision by a Licenced Acupuncturist in good standing, available by telephone or electronic means during business hours, who will conduct at least 2 in-person visits or visits through videoconference during the first year of supervision of the NADA provider.

Scope of Practice

The NADA protocol can be provided for the purpose of treatment of substance use and co-occurring disorders.

Copy of Statute

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Maryland

Specific Credentials and/or Additional Qualifications to Practice

Certified Professional Counselors, Certified Associate Counselors, supervised counselors (all specific to alcohol and drug), Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselors, Psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and Nurses

Supervision Requirements:

General supervision required, with on-site supervision at least once a year. Qualified supervisors are Licensed Acupuncturist and MDs that have completed auricular detoxification training.

Scope of Practice:

The NADA protocol can be provided in a professional setting approved by the Board of Acupuncture that meets reasonable community standards, or a clinical substance abuse program or professional setting for patients with documented substance abuse concerns.

Copy of Statute

MD Regulations

Michigan

NADA Trained- Only Qualification Needed to Practice

 Supervision Requirements:

General supervision by a MD or licensed acupuncturist 

Scope of Practice:

The NADA protocol is for the prevention and treatment of substance use disorder.

Copy of Statute

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Past Statute

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Missouri

NADA Trained- Only Qualification Needed to Practice

Specific Credentials and/or Additional Qualifications to Practice

Chiropractors must complete 100 hours of training, an application to the Chiropractic Board, and 12 hours of continuing education in acupuncture per year to practice acupuncture

Supervision Requirements:

An Licensed Acupuncturist must be available on-site or by phone or pager when services are provided. Electronic communication is acceptable for supervision if the communication is visually and/or verbally interactive and no more than 50% of the supervision is by electronic means. Supervising LAcs must meet face-to-face with the detox specialists at least 2 hours per week every 2 weeks, which requires at least 4 hours of face-to-face supervision each month.

Scope of Practice:

The NADA protocol must be provided in a hospital, clinic, or treatment facility which provides comprehensive substance abuse services and maintains necessary licenses and certification.

Copy of Statute

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New Hampshire

Specific Credentials and/or Additional Qualifications to Practice

Licensed health care professionals, recovery coaches, peer counselors, or other board approved NT professionals

Supervision Requirements:

General supervision by a Licensed Acupuncturist, and the supervisor must be available by phone or other electonic means during business hours with at least 2 site visits per year

Scope of Practice:

The NADA protocol must be provided for the purposes of behavioral health applications, including addictions, mental health, and disaster and emotional trauma.

Copy of Statute

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New Mexico

NADA Trained- Only Qualification Needed to Practice

Specific Credentials and/or Additional Qualifications to Practice

To qualify as an ADS, must complete an Acupuncture Board-approved training

Supervision Requirements:

General supervision by a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, who must be available directly or by phone. The DOM must be registered with the board and in the first year provide supervision every 6 weeks followed by annual visits thereafter.

Scope of Practice:

The NADA protocol must be provided for the purpose of harm reduction or treating and preventing alcoholism, substance abuse, or chemical dependency. This can be done only within an Acupuncture Board-approved treatment program that demonstrates experience in disease prevention, harm reduction, or the treatment or prevention of alcoholsim, substance abuse, or chemical dependency.

Copy of Statute

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New York

NADA Trained- Only Qualification Needed to Practice

Specific Credentials and/or Additional Qualifications to Practice

MDs and Dentists must be certified to practice acupuncture and document 300 hours of acceptable training in acupuncture

Supervision Requirements:

General supervision by a Doctor of Oriental Medicine

Scope of Practice:

The five point NADA protocol must be provided for the purpose of substance abuse treatment.

Copy of Statute

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Rhode Island

Specific Credentials and/or Additional Qualifications to Practice

Licensed nurse, clinical social worker, mental health counselor, certified peer recovery specialist, certified alcohol or chemical dependency professional.

Supervision Requirements:

General supervision by a Licensed Acupuncturist, who must be available by phone or other electronic means during business hours

Scope of Practice:

An auricular acupuncture technician (title of person who successfully completes the NADA, or NADA-equivalent, training) is qualified to perform the procedure within that individual’s scope of practice, provided that they are working in, or in collaboration with, behavioral health and health care agencies, or other state-approved programs or agencies.

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South Carolina

NADA Trained- Only Qualification Needed to Practice

Specific Credentials and/or Additional Qualifications to Practice

Practitioners must be at least 21 years of age

Supervision Requirements:

General supervision by a Licensed Acupuncturist or MD

Scope of Practice:

The NADA protocol must be provided for the purposes of treatment of chemical dependency, detoxification, and substance abuse.

Copy of Statute

SC ADS Law

Tennessee

NADA Trained- Only Qualification Needed to Practice

Specific Credentials and/or Additional Qualifications to Practice

MDs must be licensed to practice acupuncture. Nurses must be registered and nationally certified as holistic nurses or have completed an accredited acupuncture education program. Chiropractic physicians must be licensed to practice acupuncture and have completed 250 hours or an accredited acupuncture course and have passed the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners acupuncture exam.

Supervision Requirements:

General supervision by a Licensed Acupuncturist

Scope of Practice:

The NADA protocol must be provided in a hospital, clinic, or treatment facility that provides comprehensive alcohol and substance abuse or chemical dependency services, including counseling.

Copy of Statute

TN ADS Law

Texas

Specific Credentials and/or Additional Qualifications to Practice

Licensed Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Psychologists, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors, Licensed Vocational Nurses, and Licensed Registered Nurses if NT. Continuing education is required and includes six hours of education in the practice of acupuncture and a course in either clean needle technique or universal infection control precaution procedures.

Supervision Requirements:

General supervision by a Licensed Acupuncturist or MD

Scope of Practice:

The NADA protocol must be provided for the purposes of treatment of alcoholism, substance abuse, or chemical dependency.

Copy of Statute

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Vermont

NADA Trained- Only Qualification Needed to Practice

An individual who is not licensed as an acupuncturist may practice auriculotherapy if he or she:

  1. has appropriate training in clean needle technique;
  2. employs sterile, single-use needles, without reuse;
  3. does not purport to treat any disease, disorder, infirmity, or affliction;
  4. does not use any letters, words, or insignia indicating or implying
    that the person is an acupuncturist; and
  5. makes no statement implying that his or her practice of auriculotherapy is licensed, certified, or otherwise overseen by the State.

Copy of Statute

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Virginia

NADA Trained- Only Qualification Needed to Practice

Supervision Requirements:

General supervision by a licensed acupuncturist or licensed physician acupuncturist General supervision by a licensed acupuncturist or licensed physician acupuncturist

Scope of Practice:

The NADA protcol must be provided in a chemical dependency treatment program for patients eligible for federal, state, or local public funds. The NADA protcol must be provided in a chemical dependency treatment program for patients eligible for federal, state, or local public funds.

Copy of Statute

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West Virginia

NADA Trained- Only Qualification Needed to Practice

Supervision Requirements:

None specified.

Who can be a provider:

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this code to the contrary, to qualify for a certificate as an auricular detoxification specialist, an applicant shall:

  1. Be at least 18 years old;
  2. Be authorized in this state to engage in any of the following:
    • Physician assistant, pursuant to §30-3E-1 et seq. of this code;
    • Dentist, pursuant to §30-4-1 et seq. of this code;
    • Registered professional nurse, pursuant to §30-7-1 et seq. of this code;
    • Practical nurse, pursuant to §30-7A-1 et seq. of this code;
    • Psychologist, pursuant to §30-21-1 et seq. of this code;
    • Occupational therapist, pursuant to §30-28-1 et seq. of this code;
    • Social worker, pursuant to §30-30-1 et seq. of this code;
    • Professional counselor, pursuant to §30-31-1 et seq. of this code;
    • Emergency medical services provider, pursuant to §16-4C-1 et seq. of this code; or
    • Corrections medical providers, pursuant to 15A-1-1 et seq. of this code.
  3. Provide evidence of successful completion of a board-approved auricular acudetox program;
  4. Submit a completed application as prescribed by the board; and
  5. Submit the appropriate fees as provided for by legislative rule.

Scope of Practice:

The NADA protcol must be provided in a chemical dependency treatment program for patients eligible for federal, state, or local public funds.

“Auricular acudetox†means auricular detoxification therapy, as approved by the board or as stipulated by the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) for the treatment of substance abuse, alcoholism, chemical dependency, detoxification, behavioral therapy, or trauma recovery.

A person who holds a certificate or its equivalent in another jurisdiction as an auricular detoxification specialist (ADS) may be approved by the board to practice auricular acudetox during a public health emergency or state of emergency for a duration to be provided for in legislative rules of the board.

Copy of Statute

WV ADS Lasw

Wyoming

NADA Trained- Only Qualification Needed to Practice

Supervision Requirements:

not required

Scope of Practice:

The NADA protocol must be provided within the scope of the health care provider’s practice for the purpose of treating mental and emotional health, post and acute trauma, and/or substance abuse and chemical dependency.

Copy of Statute

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Ontario, Canada

NADA Trained- Only Qualification Needed to Practice

Supervision Requirements:

n/a

Scope of Practice:

The NADA protocol must be provided in a health facility, defined as a facility governed by or funded under the Ministry of Health. This can include community- and hospital-based programs, and inpatient and outpatient mental health and addiction treatment programs.

Copy of Statute

Ontario ADS Law (2)

5) A person is exempt from subsection 27 (1) of the Act for the purpose of performing acupuncture, a procedure performed on tissue below the dermis, if the acupuncture is performed as part of an addiction treatment program and the person performs the acupuncture within a health facility.

(6) In subsection (5),

“health facility†means a facility governed by or funded under an Act set out in the Schedule.

States and Provinces that do not Regulate the Practice of Acupuncture

USA

  • Alabama
  • Oklahoma
  • South Dakota

Canada

  • Manitoba
  • New Brunswick
  • Newfoundland
  • Northwest Territories

 

  • Nova Scotia
  • Nunavut Territory
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Saskatchewan
  • Yukon Territories

In all other jurisdictions

NADA is restricted to providers eligible to practice acupuncture.

Commentary on NADA Laws

It is very important to note that each state has its own set of rules and regulations. The general trend in regulation is to move into the NADA-favorable category. States which include greater flexibility with the aforementioned components of ADS laws have a greater number of documented NADA providers and programs as compared to states whose laws are more limiting of these components.

In some States there are additional rules that you should be aware of that further describe the manner in which you must practice and guidelines you have to follow.

There is a wide range in the way ADS laws are designed, with varying degrees of specificity in the following components:

 

  • Scope – for what clinical purpose is NADA being used?
  • Setting – where can the treatment occur?
  • Supervision – if required, who provides oversight for the NADA services?
  • Eligibility  – who can be trained to provide the NADA protocol?