Dear Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Community,
We are writing to share an important update about the evolution of our organization. The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM®) will now be known as the
National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM™).
This change reflects a significant step forward in aligning our organizational identity with the values, direction, and full scope of the profession we serve—including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and related fields — under a name that is more inclusive, modern, and intended to better reflect how the field is evolving both nationally and internationally. One of the primary motivations for this name change is to retire the term “Oriental,” which many in our community and beyond recognized as outdated and no longer appropriate in current terminology within the field. The updated name also more clearly reflects the full scope of the medicine our Nationally Board-Certified Diplomates are trained to practice.
In May 2025, we invited public comment on the proposed name change and were grateful to receive a robust number of responses from our Diplomates and other constituents. The majority of respondents supported the change, expressing enthusiasm for a name that better reflects both the profession’s cultural sensitivity and its growing presence in national healthcare conversations.
Among those who did not support the change, several important concerns were raised—particularly regarding potential legislative and regulatory impacts at the state and federal levels. We carefully reviewed all feedback, weighing both the support and the concerns with the utmost care and respect.
After thorough consideration, the NCCAOM Board of Commissioners voted to move forward with the name change to NCBAHM. We believe this decision honors the voices of our Diplomates, supports the evolution of the profession, and aligns with broader movements toward respectful and inclusive language.
We recognize that this transition may require updates to laws and regulations that still reference the former name. To support this, we are committed to working closely with state associations and regulatory bodies across the country to align legislative language with this organizational change. Our goal is to ensure that the transition is clear, coordinated, and in support of the profession’s continued advancement.
While our name is changing, our mission remains the same: to assure the safety and well-being of the public and to advance and advocate for the professional practice of NCCAOM Board-Certified Acupuncturists™ by promoting established national standards focused on competence and credentialing.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we take this meaningful step forward together.
National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM™) |
