For licenses that expire on November 30, 2025
IMPORTANT MESSAGE: To practice acupuncture and East Asian medicine in Maryland the practitioner must be a licensed Acupuncturist. The Maryland Acupuncture Practice Act does not allow licensed Acupuncturists to delegate to or other persons to assume any of the practice scope as Acupuncture Assistants or Technicians. Only licensed Acupuncturists can provide all aspects of scope approved treatment for patients. For more information please review the Board’s
FAQs.
The Gift of Winter
Weather in the Northeast region of the country is never boring. Even when you don’t factor in the opinions of some about the impact of global warming, unlike other parts of the country, the Northeast truly experiences all four seasons. What our fellow Americans in the other parts of the country may not realize is that the residents of the Northeast region (about 11 States in total) don’t feel the same about our seasonal variety. Especially since the State location determines the intensity of each of the seasons in their State. Let’s consider Marylanders’ opinion about the Winter season. Maryland is the furthest South so we don’t experience Winter like the States further North. Yet and still, a good number of Marylanders view the Winter season as a necessary evil that is tolerated on the way to Summer. Freely sharing their displeasure even when we experience a mild Winter, and when reminded of its
environmental value, a typical response is, “Well I hope Spring comes early”. A response that dismisses the renewal, restoration, resilience and flourishing that is the direct result of our
seasonal time out (a.k.a. hibernation, rest).
There are generally accepted societal norms and symbols associated with the Winter season. Norms include slowing down & being more intentional about our time; wanting to sleep more & go out less; making more soups & stews; turning to indoor workouts and hosting indoor gatherings, Alongside these norms are conventional winter symbolisms such as hibernation & rest to recover, reestablish balance, and emerge renewed. Somewhere in there is charity and gratitude. The norms and symbolisms are typically represented by fire, light, evergreens, and smells that warm the senses. All things that lend themselves to health, vitality, positivity, hope and resilience. Surprisingly these Western concepts align with East Asian medicine (EAM) principles.
In acupuncture and EAM the month of December is the official start of the Winter season, acknowledging the shift to colder, wetter days with less daylight. Such conditions also increase our risk for mental and physical dis-ease and overall constitution imbalances. Acupuncture and EAM encourages us to embrace seasonal change as an opportunity to build resilience while living in alignment with nature. In the Northeast region, it's an annual chance to slow down, spend more time being introspective, replenishing all that we expended in the other seasons and strategically mapping our path forward for post-Winter life. Consequently the focuses of acupuncture and EAM in Winter are:
- Element - Water
- Organs - Bladder & Kidney
- Qualities - Yin
Water symbolizes adaptability, fluidity and wisdom, however water has other
characteristics (e.g., rigidity) which demands our attention to maintain balance. The water element governs the kidneys and by extension the bladder. In acupuncture and EAM the kidneys are the basis of one’s life force/energy and determine our development, growth, fertility and aging. Therefore nurturing the kidneys via diet has a direct positive impact on the water element. Finally, Yin energy is the perfect match for the Winter season. Complying with Yin means submitting your Winter experience to restorative practices that conserve energy, promote relaxation and not resist dormancy (meditation and sleep) as an activity that is just as productive as the occasional ice skating outing or snowball fight. All of this is significant in East Asian medicine because how we live in the Winter season determines the quality of our health in this and the seasons to come.
In conclusion, Western and East Asian medicines both advise us about the significance of the Winter season as more than a weather inconvenience. And to experience the health benefits of the Winter season more Northeast region residents must shift from tolerating to embracing the Winter season. It's a shift that can make the holiday season just a bit brighter and merrier.
A November recap of actions that can help avoid the pitfalls of the Winter season:
- Wearing garments and using products that provide protection against cold temperatures and the dryness of the harsh winds.
- Implementing digestive and respiratory health practices, including breathing exercises.
- Consuming foods that are dark and warm, especially those good for the lungs (e.g., sweet potatoes, squash, black beans, broth, stews, cooked vegetables, garlic, ginger, etc.). Some may even consider the use of herbal remedies after consulting with a licensed practitioner.
- Conserving energy more than you release. View stillness as a tool not torture. Create a rest ritual that allows you to recharge, reexamine and redirect your energy.
- Take note of your emotions and thoughts, ‘cleansing and/or shedding’ that which drains your energy and enables you to repeatedly ponder unproductive experiences. Including routine exercise , meditation and journaling to give emotions a healthy outlet and build good energy.
- Implementing practices that promote kidney and urinary system health overall.
- Consulting a licensed practitioner about other East Asian medicine therapies such as moxibustion, cupping, Tui Na, Acupressure, Reflexology and ear seeding.
Resources:
Regulatory Basics You must have a license to practice. It is illegal to practice acupuncture and use East Asian medical therapies without a license. You must also obtain additional certification to practice on animals. Certain non-acupuncturist professionals may practice as
Auricular Detoxification Specialists if they register with the Board and renew their registration. If your license or registration has lapsed please take action to reinstate before you practice.
The
National Auricular Detoxification Association (NADA), is the professional organization for all certified Auricular Detoxification Specialists (ADS). NADA offers the training to become a certified ADS in Maryland, offers membership and is a valuable resource for ADS practitioners.
The
American Acupuncture Society (ASA), the practice’s professional organization, has a Maryland arm - The
Maryland Association of Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine (MAAEAM)- that offers membership. MAAEAM is a valuable resource for Licensed Acupuncturists.
About Paper Licenses The Board does not issue printed licenses. Please visit the
License Verification and Roster Information page to print and/or save a copy of your license status.
About Forms of Payment The Board no longer accepts checks or money orders. All payments must be made by credit or debit card.
About Practice Scope The practice statutes and regulations can be accessed from the Board’s landing page via the
Statues, Regulations & Newsletters menu item on the left. The Board does not interpret statute or regulations nor give legal advice. Please consult with a legal professional if additional understanding is required.
About Continuing Education At present the Board does not approve/accredit/endorse specific
continuing education (CEU) providers. Licensees should ensure that the CEU provider is legitimate and provides content that meets industry standards. From time to time the Board does share training information. This does not mean that the Board has a relationship with this provider.
About License Status The Board has two renewal cycles annually: Spring & Fall. This means that the renewal system is only open twice a year beginning April 1st and October 1st. Spring renewals expire on May 31st and Fall renewals on November 30th. The Board sends notices by email and mail to licensees when it is time to renew.
About Contact Information The Board must be able to contact licensees at all times. This means that the Board must have licensees correct contact information at all times. If you change your address, phone number or email address please
inform the Board of the change so that we may reach you.
About Contact Information Licensees are required to advertise and practice in the name for which they are licensed. Name changes must be
reported to the Board with supporting documentation.
*The form to report contact and name changes can be accessed in two ways on the Board’s website: 1) on the
Apply for an Acupuncture License page and on the
Resources, Requirements & Information Requests page.
WHAT’S ON THE 2025 CALENDAR:
- Fall License Renewal Season: October 1st - December 31st
- Christmas Day Holiday December 25th - office closed
- Maryland State Legislative Session January 2026
- American Society of Acupuncturists Conference April 25-26, 2026
- 9th Edition of International Conference on Traditional Medicine and Integrative Health June 22-24, 2026 | Barcelona, Spain
