Regulation and registration of Acupuncture under New Zealand law (HPCA Act)
Posted by Dr Vitalis Acupuncture in HPCA Act, New Zealand, acupuncture, acupuncture registration, acupuncturists
This Wednesday New Zealand Minister of Health has approved acupuncture as an additional profession for inclusion in the scope of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCAA) 2003.
Once acupuncturists are regulated and required to be registered, the standard of acupuncture in New Zealand will significantly improve. Currently one does not need any formal qualification to practice acupuncture in NZ. If you have seen acupuncture on TV, you can probably open a clinic. It may take anywhere between a few months and a couple of years before acupuncture is regulated.
In New Zealand there is a number of acupuncturists who are not fluent in English. These practitioners violate the patients’ Right to Effective Communication. It may become illegal for these acupuncturists to practice acupuncture under the new law.
The new registration and regulation of acupuncture under the HPCA Act to ensure that:
- acupuncturists have the right qualifications to provide their services
- maintain and develop acupuncture skills and competence
- acupuncturist are physically and mentally able to work
Currently acupuncture industry is self-regulated. There are a few organisations offering voluntary membership including New Zealand Register of Acupuncture Incorporated and New Zealand Acupuncture Standards Authority Incorporated. Membership in either of these organisations allows its members to become ACC acupuncture providers. Currently neither of the organisations has an authority to register an acupuncture practitioner as a health care provider under HPCA Act, even though their names may imply the opposite.
Update (10 June 2010):
From NZ Register of Acupuncture newsletter: “…we have been asked to reapply for regulation under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act. Although Acupuncture was approved in 2007, the subsequent review and the recommendations which came out of the review have meant that we need to resubmit our application to show that we meet the new criteria… “
Unfortunately acupuncture regulation is delayed again!
Related posts:
My partner and I are seriously considering relocating from the U.S. to New Zealand. I am currently licensed in California, which has the most stringent requirements for licesure in the U.S. (along with a handful of other states). We do have some concerns and I was wondering if you might be able to address them. I am most grateful for any insights you might offer.
* What is the level of acceptance of acupuncture as a profession in New Zealand? Do you see the profession gaining more legitimacy in NZ?
* Do many insurance plans cover it? How about any government-sponsored (universal) health care? I’m not actually sure if practitioners in NZ have to bill insurance companies in the same way we do in the U.S.
* Do you have an opinion about the best way to bring my skills into the country, i.e. start my own practice under a work visa, or try to gain employment through a school or existing practice?
Hi John,
thanks for your comment.
I will try to answer the questions in separate comments.
BTW, why are you considering New Zealand?
Cheers,
Vitalis
What is the level of acceptance of acupuncture as a profession in New Zealand? Do you see the profession gaining more legitimacy in NZ?
95% of general practitioners refer patients to complementary medicines, 20% of them practice complimentary medicines themselves. Acupuncture is commonly performed complimentary therapy by GPs.
Currently acupuncture is unregulated. This means anyone can practice. I find this quite scary. This also does not reflect well on the industry. But hopefully it will be regulated within a year or two.
If you are planing to come, it is good idea to do this now. You can start practicing straight away, and you’ll have time to “cross-credit” your qualification to NZ diploma of acupuncture.
Do many insurance plans cover it?
ACC (accident compensation corporation) covers acupuncture for accidents only. There are a couple of insurance companies who will cover acupuncture, but I didn’t have many patients profiting from this.
Do you have an opinion about the best way to bring my skills into the country, i.e. start my own practice under a work visa, or try to gain employment through a school or existing practice?
This is a question I will not be able to answer, because best way is your way.
I started by renting the rooms from an acupuncture clinic and teaching at the same time. Unfortunately when teaching much of my time was spent on marking the exams and other paperwork. I didn’t enjoy it a bit. I stopped teaching as soon as I could afford it.
If you come to NZ, do email me your resume and do come to talk to me. I will be happy to help.
I read the email on your website from an acupuncturist in California, US. I believe the letter was dated Aug 2007 and at that time there weren’t any regulations regarding acupuncture.
Has that changed?
What are the requirements?
Currently I am licensed in the states of New York and Virginia, and I am considering moving to NZ.
What is the scope of practice?
Thanks for your time and information.
T.
Hi T,
acupuncture is still not regulated in New Zealand.
V.
Vitalis,
I have done a Diploma in acpuncture in Hong Kong. If I want to practice in New Zealand, do I need to join New Zealand Register of Acupuncture Incorporated and New Zealand Acupuncture Standards Authority Incorporated first?
I would love to go to NZ and I am not sure the immigration procedures. I hope the acupuncture would help.
Thanks,
KK
Hi K,
if you comply with immigration requirements and can legally work in New Zealand, you do not need to join anything to practice acupuncture in NZ.
However, acupuncture soon may become regulated, and your diploma may be insufficient. You may need to obtain a higher qualification and join a professional organisation such as New Zealand Register of Acupuncture or New Zealand Acupuncture Standards Authority.
Hope this helps your decision.
Cheers!
Vitalis
Hi
I read your comments on cross crediting acupuncture qualifications. I am currently a member of the British Acupuncture Council and am a New Zealander returning to Auckland in August 2009.
I have a Bachelor of Science (acupuncture) degree from the UK.
What is the process of cross-crediting? to qualify for the register of acupuncturists in NZ?
R
Hi R,
currently NZRA's minimum qualification requirement is as follows:
TCM -Trained Applicants:
TCM -Trained Applicants must provide evidence of completion of four years study of
acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. (3600 total hours study which includes a
minimum of 500 supervised clinical training but may include up to 720 hours of supervised
clinical training).
Other Health Disciplines:
Persons from other health disciplines may become NZRA members after providing evidence
of the completion of two years study of which the core modality comprises TCM diagnosis
and Acupuncture theory. (1800 total hours study, which must include a minimum of 500
hours of supervised clinical training).
Regards,
Vitalis
If you come from overseas, no matter how qualified you are, you will need to pass a theory and clinical assessment. I recon both are really easy, but may take up quite a lot of your time.
Theory assessment includes Ethics, Precautions & Contraindications
and Point Location.
Practical assessment used to include a treatment of a patient or two with an assessor present.
Hey there! I am currently studying TCM at ACTCM in San Francisco. My wife is from NZ and we may relocate at some point. You mentioned that a board certified practitioner from the US may have to take a test to be certified in NZ. How does one schedule to take the test? When I graduate, I will be taking the very difficult California Boards and the US National Boards and would love to test in NZ with everything fresh in my mind.
Thanks,
Andrew
Hi Andrew, to schedule a test you have to contact one of the acupuncture professional organisations such as New Zealand Register of Acupuncture. They will provide with the info you require.
Regards,
Vitalis