SB508 - Acupuncture Licensing and Regulation

• Authorizes the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners to license and regulate the practice of acupuncture, effective January 1, 2013.

• Establishes licensure requirements including minimum 60 college credits, completion of a 3-year (pre-July 30, 2001) or 4-year (post-July 30, 2001) acupuncture course, passage of national examination, English proficiency, criminal background check, and liability insurance.

• Permits the board to adopt rules, professional ethics codes, and examination procedures for acupuncturist licensure with application fee of $200, annual renewal fee of $150, and reissuance fee of $50.

• Prohibits unlicensed persons from practicing acupuncture or using the title "acupuncturist," with violations constituting a Class C misdemeanor punishable by fine not exceeding $500.

• Authorizes the board to deny, suspend, revoke, or restrict licenses for felony convictions, ethics violations, substance abuse, fraud, mental incompetence, or other specified violations, with injunctive relief available and penalties up to $500 plus attorney fees.