What Qualifications Do I Need to Become an Acupuncturist
Are you interested in qualifying as an acupuncturist?
You’ve already got the qualities needed to be a great acupuncturist practitioner… you wouldn’t have landed on this page if you didn’t! You have the desire to help others to feel better and an interest in the wisdom that can be found in traditional medicinal practices.
At the NCA, we’ve been teaching people across the UK the practical skills they need to become a successful acupuncturist for almost 40 years. We are an independent, not-for-profit college that is fully accredited by the British Acupuncture Accreditation Board (BAAB) and validated by the Health Sciences University. That’s why we’re perfectly placed to offer a BSc in Acupuncture, also known as the degree you need to start work in this century’s old tradition.
In this blog, we’ll talk you through the qualifications you need to earn to become a licenced acupuncturist and get started with your TCM practice.
BSc (Hons) in Acupuncture
Getting your BSc in Acupuncture is more than just the main qualification you need to practice as an acupuncturist. At the NCA, the skills and knowledge you learn during your degree are just the beginning of your journey into this life-changing profession.
Whether you choose to study full time over 3 years, or part time over 4, our acupuncture degree teaches you the foundations of Chinese medicine, the bodywork skills you’ll use every day in your practice, and the knowledge you need to use clinical reasoning to select the best treatment for your future patients.
You’ll spend 400 hours in our dedicated teaching clinics, observing and working with real patients under the close supervision of year 2 and 3 students and our clinic directors. Our students reliably tell us that this is the most enjoyable part of their degree, as it’s where all the theory and practical training comes together to make a real difference to a person’s wellbeing.
Find out more about what’s involved with our acupuncture degree, here.
Registering with the British Acupuncture Council
While you’re a student with the NCA, you’ll be able to become a free student member in the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC). This is the start of your relationship with this member-led organisation, and shows your early commitment to the highest standards of acupuncture practice.
Once you’ve graduated from your acupuncture degree, you can apply for full BAcC membership. They are recognised by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) to regulate healthcare professionals. Their seal of approval is as good as gold to your patients, and is trusted by NHS employers and insurance providers. An accreditation from the BAcC is almost as important as your degree qualification to becoming a successful acupuncturist.
Special Treatments Licence
If you are going into private practice once you’ve completed your acupuncture degree, you may also need to apply for a special treatments licence with your local authority. It’s likely both your premises and individual practitioners will need to register before you can start to treat your clients.
Developing your practice can start today
As part of your degree at the NCA, we help you plan for your career once certified. We have a wide range of resources to help you start or grow your own practice, and offer ongoing courses for professional development later down the line.
As a student and graduate of the NCA, you become part of a very welcoming and supportive community of practitioners. We love working together to help more clients, complete invaluable research into the effectiveness of acupuncture therapies, and to share knowledge and overcome struggles.
If you’d like to take your first step into becoming an acupuncturist, we’d love to chat. Contact our friendly team online today!