HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2956

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO ACUPUNCTURE PRACTITIONERS.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  Section 436E-13, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§436E-13  Use of titles.  (a)  A licensee who has been awarded a license to practice acupuncture by the board in this State may use the title of "Licensed Acupuncturist" or designation "L.Ac." with the licensee's name in an advertisement for acupuncture or announce or append the designation to the licensee's name.

     (b)  A licensee who has been awarded an earned doctoral degree may use the designation "Ph.D." in an advertisement for acupuncture or announce or append the designation to the licensee's name if the degree was granted from a university or college recognized by a regional or national accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.  A Ph.D. recognized by the board under this subsection shall designate a nonpractitioner as opposed to a practitioner or "doctor" of acupuncture as provided in subsection (c).

     (c)  [A licensee who has been awarded an earned doctoral degree from a university or college recognized by a regional or national accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education, or who has completed a program approved by the board in the study or practice of acupuncture (traditional oriental medicine), and who has met the standards for the use of academic designations as developed by the board may use the designation "Doctor", the prefix "Dr.", or the designation "D.Ac."; provided that the word "Acupuncturist" immediately follows the licensee's name if the designation "Doctor" or the prefix "Dr." is used alone.  The board shall establish the standards required for the use of these academic designations in its rules.  The rules shall provide for a time period to enable a licensee to meet the requirements for the continued use of the academic designations and shall prohibit the use of the designations after that period unless those requirements are met.] A licensee who has been approved by the board to use the doctoral title may use the title "Doctor of  Acupuncture" or the designation "D.Ac.", after the licensee's name, or the term "Doctor" or the prefix "Dr.", provided that the word "Acupuncturist" immediately follows the licensee's name if the term "Doctor", or the prefix "Dr." is used alone.

     (d)  Before any licensee shall be eligible to use the doctoral title, the  licensee shall furnish satisfactory proof to the board that the licensee has been awarded an earned doctoral degree.  For licensees who graduated from an institute, school, or college located in the United States or any territory under the jurisdiction of the United States, the institute, school, or college shall be recognized by a regional or national accrediting body that is recognized by the United States  Department of Education.

     For licensees who graduated from a  foreign institute, school, or college, the licensee, at the licensee's own expense, shall have the licensee's transcripts and curriculum evaluated by a board-approved and board-designated professional evaluator who shall determine whether:

     (1)  The transcripts and curriculum are at least equivalent to the United States recognized doctoral program of study;

     (2)  The foreign institute, school, or college is licensed, approved, or accredited by the appropriate governmental authority or an agency recognized by a governmental authority in the respective foreign jurisdiction; and

     (3)  The curriculum of the foreign institute, school, or college is approved by the board.

     [(d)] (e)  Except as provided in this section, use of other titles, prefixes, or designations shall not be permitted."  SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Acupuncturists; Title

 

Description:

Establishes requirements for acupuncturists to use the "doctor of acupuncture" title.  Establishes procedure for review of doctoral education credentials of acupuncturist completing education at a foreign institution.

 

 

 

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