A. The board may issue an acupuncture detoxification specialist certificate to a person who practices auricular acupuncture for the purpose of treating alcoholism, substance abuse, trauma or chemical dependency if the person does all of the following:

Terms Used In Arizona Laws 32-3922

  • Board: means the acupuncture board of examiners. See Arizona Laws 32-3901
  • Person: includes a corporation, company, partnership, firm, association or society, as well as a natural person. See Arizona Laws 1-215
  • Supervision: means that the supervising licensed acupuncturist is present in the facility where the acupuncture assistant is performing services and is available for consultation regarding procedures that the licensed acupuncturist has authorized and for which the licensed acupuncturist remains responsible. See Arizona Laws 32-3901
  • Trauma: means the experience of significant psychological distress following any terrible or life-threatening event. See Arizona Laws 32-3901
  • United States: includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See Arizona Laws 1-215

1. Provides documentation of successfully completing a board-approved training program in acupuncture for treating alcoholism, substance abuse, trauma or chemical dependency that meets or exceeds standards of training established by the national acupuncture detoxification association or a board-approved group.

2. Provides documentation satisfactory to the board of successfully completing a board-approved clean needle technique course.

3. Submits an application as prescribed by the board and a fee prescribed by section 32-3927.

4. Discloses in an application for initial certification or recertification all other active and past professional health care licenses and certificates issued to the applicant in this state or by another state, district or territory of the United States.

B. Beginning January 1, 2023, an applicant for initial certification or recertification pursuant to this section shall possess a valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Title 41, Chapter 12, article 3.1.

C. A certificate issued pursuant to this section allows the certificate holder to practice auricular acupuncture under the supervision of a person who is licensed pursuant to this chapter.

D. A certificate issued pursuant to this section is valid for one year. The certificate may be renewed by the board if the certificate holder submits an application as prescribed by the board and a fee prescribed by section 32-3927 before the certificate expires.

E. Before treating a patient, an auricular acupuncturist shall obtain from the patient a signed informed consent that has been approved by the board.

F. For the purposes of this section, "auricular acupuncture" means applying acupuncture needles to the pinna, lobe or auditory meatus to treat alcoholism, substance abuse, trauma or chemical dependency.