Mission Statement

The Acupuncture Society is an association, register and self regulator of professional Acupuncture therapists, it was formed to promote the development of TCM, Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and other Oriental Medical  Therapies such as Shiatzu, Tuina, Acupressure and Auricular & Microsystems Acupuncture as effective complementary medical practices, and to inform and protect the public through our newsletters, licensing and Covid 19 guidance ethical, safety and disciplinary conduct codes and regulations.

Our membership is composed of Chinese Traditional, Medical, Orthopaedic, Korean, Japanese, Cosmetic Aesthetics, Auricular and Microsystems,  Acupuncturists, Chinese Herbalists and Oriental Medical Therapies.

Our members are bound by a strict Code of Ethics, Rules and Regulations and a Code of Professional Conduct and Safe Practice in order to protect the public and and users of TCM therapies. Members are obliged to comply with local health authority safety, hygiene and sterilisation requirements, government regulation and carry full indemnity insurance, undergo first aid training and attend CPD courses. All active members are on the Acupuncture Society professional register of practitioners.

The Society provides support to practitioners in all aspects of their clinical practice, licensing, insurance, first aid, sharps disposal, updates on regulation, disciplinary and appeals procedures and current professional standards etc.

Licensing Exemptions in London Local Authority Areas 

The Acupuncture Society is a professional body of Acupuncture and Oriental Medical  Therapist Practitioners incorporated on 14th June 1994 and recognised by the London Local Authorities on 29th October 1996 under the London Local Authorities Act 1991 section (4), (since amended on 23rd February 2022 by London Special Treatments Working Group LSTWG). As a Society of Acupuncture, TCM and Oriental Medical Therapist Practitioners exempted from local authority special treatment licensing (this exemption is mainly applicable in the London area, all members must check with their Local Council Environmental Health Department before claiming the exemption, and it does not apply to Cosmetic, Aesthetics, Beauty & Relaxing Massage therapies: for these you must apply for a special treatment licence from your Local Council Environmental Health Department). Practitioners in Hounslow Click here. Practitioners in Bexley can now claim exemption.

The Acupuncture Society was an active member organization of the Acupuncture Stakeholder Group (ASG), which was composed of the major UK Voluntary Regulatory Bodies like the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC), British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS), Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP), the British Academy of Western Medical Acupuncture (BAWMA) and Bodyharmonics Acutherapy Council who met quarterly to discuss and update of standards and self-regulation within the profession, also the Society is a member of the Microsystems Acupuncture Regulatory Working Group and  was a founder member of The British Acupuncture Federation..

CNHC Registration 

Acupuncture Society Microsystems Acupuncture practitioner members can also apply to be included in the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council  Register CNHC if they are already a practicing registrable therapist with Anatomy and Physiology Level 3.  

CNHC is the UK voluntary regulator for complementary healthcare practitioners that was set up with government support to protect the public by providing a UK voluntary register of complementary therapists. CNHC’s register has been approved as an Accredited Register by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care. This means CNHC has met the Professional Standards Authority’s demanding standards. All CNHC registered practitioners are entitled to use CNHC’s quality mark which demonstrates a commitment to professionalism and high standards. The public and those who commission the services of complementary healthcare practitioners can choose with confidence, by looking for the CNHC quality mark.

The Acupuncture Society also verifies applications from non-members. Please contact Amanda Shayle at info@acuregen.co.uk for further information on how to apply. Please note there is a £20 administration fee payable

General Medical Council (GMC) guidance confirms that doctors are able to refer patients to practitioners on Accredited Registers.

The Acupuncture Society can verify appropriate applications for CNHC registration in respect of Microsystems Acupuncture.

Applicable Acupuncture Society Members wishing to register with CNHC should contact Amanda Shayle at: info@acuregen.co.uk.

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