Section 14-504 - Acupuncture. - Maryland Statutes

§ 14-504. Acupuncture.
 

(a)  Dentists.- This section does not apply to a dentist performing acupuncture in connection with the practice of dentistry if the dentist is licensed or otherwise authorized to practice dentistry under Title 4 of this article. 

(b)  Registration required.- Unless licensed under Title 1A of this article, a physician shall be registered by the Board before the physician may perform acupuncture in this State. 

(c)  Qualifications for registration.- The Board shall register to perform acupuncture any physician who meets the following requirements: 

(1) (i) Successful completion of at least 200 hours of training in a program of study in acupuncture, including any examinations required under the program, approved for category 1 continuing medical education credit by an institution accredited or recognized by the Accreditation Council on Continuing Medical Education; or 

(ii) Successful completion of a course of study approved by the Board which includes at least 200 hours of instruction in: 

1. General and basic aspects of acupuncture; 

2. Specific uses and techniques of acupuncture; and 

3. Indications and contraindications of acupuncture administration; 

(2) Ability to communicate in the English language; 

(3) Payment of application and registration fees; and 

(4) Other reasonable conditions determined by the Board. 

(d)  Place of performance.- A physician who is registered under this section may perform acupuncture on or off the premises of the physician's office. 

(e)  Advertising.- A physician who performs acupuncture may advertise only as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Board. 

(f)  Rules and regulations.- The Board may adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this section. 

(g)  Reprimand, probation, suspension and revocation.- Subject to the hearing provisions of § 14-405 of this title, the Board, on the affirmative vote of a majority of its quorum, may reprimand or place a physician who performs acupuncture on probation or suspend or revoke the registration of a physician for: 

(1) Any conduct prohibited under the provisions of this section or prohibited under any regulation adopted pursuant to the provisions of this section; 

(2) Except in an emergency life-threatening situation where it is not feasible or practicable, fails to comply with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines on universal precautions; or 

(3) Failing to display the notice required under subsection (h) of this section. 

(h)  Display of notice explaining Centers for Disease Control's guidelines on universal precautions.- If a physician who performs acupuncture is engaged in the private practice of acupuncture in this State, the physician who performs acupuncture shall display the notice developed under § 1-207 of this article conspicuously in each office where the physician is engaged in practice. 
 

[1982, ch. 644; 1984, ch. 329; 1988, ch. 109, § 1; 1990, ch. 6, § 11; 1992, ch. 154, § 1; 1993, ch. 627, §§ 1, 2; 1994, ch. 620, § 1; 1995, ch. 3, § 1; 2002, ch. 158, § 1; 2003, ch. 252; 2010, ch. 72.]