SPRING 2025 RENEWAL SEASON
APRIL 1 - JUNE 30, 2025
Women in Health: Both Patient and Provider
The National Association of Community Health Centers
(NACHC) offers a monthly calendar tool kit with information and images that health centers nationwide can use to create promotional materials and social media messages. The national health observances being highlighted by NACHC for March are as follows:
Another day that is celebrated by many traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners is
Chinese Medicine Day (search on the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University webpage for CMD to gain access to the article). This celebration is native to China and marks the formal recognition of ancient East Asian medical practices according to western medicine standards. In short, in 1929 a proposal was made at a medical conference to abolish old medicine (a.k.a. TCM ) and replace it with the western medicine system. If codified, this recommendation would delegitimize a cultural based medical tradition and eliminate the most affordable form of healthcare for millions of Chinese citizens. On March 17, 1929 the old medicine practitioners made a counter proposal that would formalize TCM education and thereby create a path for licensure. March 17th gained formal national recognition after the lobbying efforts resulted in successful adoption. Consequently, TCM was fully integrated into the health system, allowing the majority of Chinese residents to continue to access this form of healthcare.
As we celebrate the contributions of women to the medical profession it is appropriate to highlight the work of Assistant Professor of History at Simmons University Yunxin Li and her work,
Gender Foundations in Ancient Chinese Medicine. Her research examines the necessity and value of women’s contribution, as practitioners, to women’s healthcare dating back to the Song Dynasty and ancient text that predates this era. Today female health practitioners continue to further the progress of ensuring that women have access to a spectrum of healthcare services that addresses the gender specific mental and physical needs. Such modern efforts are highlighted in this Forbes Magazine article Integrating
Traditional Chinese Medicine Into Women’s Health in the U.S.
Further proof that this ancient system of healthcare remains relevant to modern medicine is its adoption by medical practitioners to alleviate pain such as Dentist -
Acupuncture: An Alternative Therapy in Dentistry and its Possible Applications.
As we welcome the month of March with the hope of transition from dormancy & hibernation toward a restorative season of blooming, flourishing and growth, don’t forget to show a little extra appreciation for the women in your life. Many of whom have established your connection to and shaped your relationship with healthcare body, mind and spirit.
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
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.
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’..
The
Maryland General Assembly has convened the 2025 legislative session. Licensed Acupuncturists are constituents in the form of residents, employees and/or business owners. No matter your passion (e.g., acupuncture & East Asian medicine gaining more insurance coverage, business or income tax, daylight savings time, school funding, etc.), as constituents, you have the ability to interact with your legislative representatives. Let your voice be heard.
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
Regulations, Board Meeting Minutes & Newsletters menu item on the left. The Board does not have the authority to interpret statute or regulations. 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. 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.
WHAT’S ON THE 2025 CALENDAR:
- LEGISLATIVE SESSION - the General Assembly will meet in Annapolis, Maryland until April 7th.
- March 11th Board Meeting
- Spring License Renewal Season: April 1st - June 30th
- Annual American Society of Acupuncturists Conference in Arlington, VA on April 26th & 27th
- Acupuncture for Public Servants on Capital Hill on April 28th
- May 13th Board Meeting
- July 8th Board Meeting
- September 9th Board Meeting
- Fall License Renewal Season: October 1st - December 31st
- November 4th Board Meeting
