![]() |
Chuck Hipple - founder of Hipple Acupuncture |
Licensed acupuncturists dedicate many years to their education and training. They attend a 4-year graduate program after the completion of their undergraduate degrees.
This program is the equivalent of a medical school that a traditional medical doctor would attend. These programs include a minimum of 3,200 hours of clinical experience and classroom learning!
After graduating from these programs, acupuncturists must pass their board exams to obtain a license to practice acupuncture. In order to get the best possible results, seeing a licensed professional in this field is a must.
Many other professionals, including medical doctors and chiropractors, offer acupuncture as a service of their practice. They are not required to undergo the rigorous training that a licensed acupuncturist does (many times they receive less than 100 hours of specialized training), nor are they required to pass the board exams.

All acupuncturists at Hipple Acupuncture are properly licensed. In order to verify that the acupuncturist that you have chosen is properly trained and licensed, please visit the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine website at NCCAOM.org.
Licensed acupuncturists are typically listed on the NCCAOM website unless they have requested otherwise. You can also search for licensed acupuncturists on the North Carolina Acupuncture Licensing Board website at NCALB.com.