Choosing a Qualified Practitioner

Start with the same care you would use for any clinician

NCCIH advises choosing a complementary health practitioner, such as an acupuncturist, as carefully as you would choose a conventional health care provider. [1] This page explains how qualifications work and how to check them. We do not list or recommend individual practitioners, and nothing here implies that any particular person is licensed.

Where to look for names

NCCIH suggests asking your doctor or other health care provider first, then a nearby hospital or medical school, professional organizations, state regulatory agencies or licensing boards, or your health insurer. [2] NCCIH itself cannot refer you to practitioners. [2] For "near me" searches, use those routes rather than an advertisement, and verify what you find using the steps below.

Credentials, licenses and certification: what they mean

In the United States, government agencies grant and monitor licenses, and professional organizations certify practitioners. [3] Certification can be a prerequisite for licensure or, in some cases, an alternative. [3] States use three main approaches. [3]

United States: rules differ by state and profession

There is no standardized national system for credentialing complementary health practitioners, and state governments decide the required credentials. [3] NCCIH reports examples of how much this varies:

• Chiropractors: in all 50 states and the District of Columbia they must be an accredited Doctor of Chiropractic. [3]
• Naturopathic physicians: NCCIH states that only 17 states and the District of Columbia license them. [3] Check your state's current rule, because this page may have changed since NCCIH wrote it.
• Massage therapists: most states regulate them by license, certification or registration. [3]
• Acupuncturists: most states and the District of Columbia have laws regulating acupuncture practice. [4] In most states, acupuncturists must be certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. [3]

Being licensed or certified is not always a guarantee of being qualified. [3] State laws also vary widely in the services each profession may offer. [3]

England: registration is required for some professions only

The NHS says chiropractors and osteopaths need to be registered by law, but other complementary therapists and herbal medicine practitioners do not. [5] Before choosing a private therapist, it says to make sure they are registered with a professional organisation accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). [5] Other countries have different rules. We have not verified rules for other jurisdictions, so check with your national or regional health regulator.

How to verify a practitioner, step by step

1. Ask for the exact title, the licensing or certifying body, and the license or certificate number.
2. Look the person up on the website of that state board, regulator or accredited professional body rather than relying on a copy of a certificate.
3. Find out about education, training, licensing and certifications. [2]
4. Ask whether they have experience with people who have your conditions. [2]
5. Ask whether they will work with your other providers. [2]
6. Confirm any insurance coverage yourself; do not assume it. [2]

For the full list of questions, see questions to ask before a session. For specific professions, see acupuncture licensing and training, massage practitioner qualifications and credentials for naturopathic and integrative practitioners.

Red flags

Walk away if a practitioner promises a cure, asks you to stop prescribed medicine, or cannot say who licenses them. NCCIH and the NHS both advise against stopping prescribed treatment or delaying care. [1] [5]