Chapter 360-6 ACUPUNCTURE
The purpose of these Rules is to implement the
"Acupuncture Act of Georgia" ("Act") which authorizes the Composite
State Board of Medical Examiners ("Board") to adopt rules and
regulations and perform all acts necessary in carrying out the
program of licensure for Acupuncture and Auricular Detoxification
Therapy. These rules establish the standards for licensing persons to
practice acupuncture and auricular (ear) detoxification therapy and
for the enforcement of such standards through disciplinary action.
These rules are also intended to inform all physicians, other allied
health care professionals, and all persons who desire to become
licensed about the Act and its requirements.
The terms used in these Rules, promulgated pursuant
to the Act, are defined as follows:
(1) |
"ACAOM" means the Accreditation
Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine which is a
nationally recognized accreditation organization that accredits
programs in acupuncture and oriental medicine. |
(2) |
"Act" means the Acupuncture Act
of Georgia, O.C.G.A. §§ 43-34-60et
seq. |
(3) |
"Acupuncture" means a form of therapy developed from traditional and
modern Oriental concepts for health care that employs Oriental
medicine techniques, treatment, and adjunctive therapies for the
promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health and the prevention
of disease. |
(4) |
"Advisory
Committee" means the Acupuncture Advisory Committee of the Georgia
Composite Medical Board. |
(1) |
Each
applicant for licensure as an acupuncturist must meet the
requirements listed below.
(a) |
An
affidavit that the applicant is a United States citizen, a legal
permanent resident of the United States, or that he/she is a
qualified alien or non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and
Nationality Act. If the applicant is not a U.S. citizen, he/she must
submit documentation that will determine his/her qualified alien
status. The Board participates in the DHS-USCIS SAVE
(Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements or "SAVE")
program for the purpose of verifying citizenship and immigration
status information of non-citizens. If the applicant is a qualified
alien or non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and Nationality
Act, he/she must provide the alien number issued by the Department of
Homeland Security or other federal immigration agency. |
(b) |
Must be at least 21 years of
age and of good moral character; |
(c) |
Submit a completed application
required by the Board. Said application shall not be considered
completed until all fees have been paid and all required documents
have been eceived by the Board; |
(d) |
Must submit three (3)
acceptable references: one reference from a licensed United States
physician either MD or DO in the jurisdiction where the applicant is
practicing and who is familiar with the applicant's practice and two
references from practicing acupuncturists familiar with the
applicant's practice. |
(e) |
Have successfully completed a degree in acupuncture or a formal
course of study and training in acupuncture. The applicant shall
submit documentation satisfactory to the board to show that such
education or course of study and training was:
1. |
Completed at a school that is
accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and
Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) or other accrediting entity approved by the
board; or |
2. |
Completed by
means of a program of acupuncture study and training that is
substantially equivalent to the acupuncture education offered by an
accredited school of acupuncture approved by the board. |
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(f) |
Have passed an
acupuncture examination offered by an organization accredited by the
National Organization of Competency Assurance and approved by the
board; |
(g) |
Submit proof
of certification in acupuncture by the National Certification
Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine; |
(h) |
Completed successfully a clean
needle technique course approved by the Board; and |
(i) |
Submitted proof of having
professional liability insurance of at least $100,000/$300,000.
1. |
If the licensee changes
liability carriers, is canceled by a liability carrier, or cancels
liability coverage, the licensee must notify the Board within thirty
(30) days of the date of change or cancellation. |
2. |
Failure to maintain liability
coverage, pursuant to the Act, may result in suspension of the
license for acupuncture.
(i) |
An
applicant must submit all documentation required for the application
process within twelve months from the date the Board receives the
application. |
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(2) |
Every person who holds a
license issued by the Board shall inform the Board of any change of
address and any other change of information, including but not
limited to professional liability coverage, for licensure by this
Rule or the Act. |
(3) |
The
titles "Licensed Acupuncturist" and "Acupuncturist" shall only be
used by persons licensed to practice acupuncture pursuant to the Act
and these Rules. |
(1) |
A person licensed as an
acupuncturist providing services in this state in a hospital,
practice setting, nursing home, assisted living community or personal
care home shall communicate the acupuncturist's specific licensure to
all current and prospective patients and shall wear a clearly legible
identification tag during all patient encounters with the licensee's
name and the word "Acupuncturist." |
(2) |
In all advertising that names a
person in relation to his or her healthcare practice, a person
licensed to practice as an acupuncturist in Georgia shall identify
themselves as an acupuncturist. |
(3) |
Every person who is licensed to
practice acupuncture pursuant to the Act and these Rules and who is
actively practicing acupuncture or the active practice of auricular
(ear) detoxification therapy as an auricular (ear) detoxification
technician shall display the license issued by the Board in a public
and appropriate manner. |
(4) |
Any license or document
evidencing licensure issued by the Board is the property of the Board
and shall be surrendered on demand. |
(1) |
Any
person licensed to practice acupuncture under the Act
("practitioner") who has less than one (1) year of postgraduate
clinical experience may not practice on his or her own unless and
until such person has completed one (1) year of active clinical
practice under the supervision of a duly licensed acupuncturist. The
supervising acupuncturist ("supervisor") shall be currently licensed
in Georgia and shall have four (4) years of active licensed clinical
experience as an acupuncturist in Georgia or a combination of four
(4) years experience in other states or countries as long as the
other states or countries substantially equal or exceed Georgia's
standards for licensure of acupuncturists. |
(2) |
The supervision of postgraduate
clinical practice of an acupuncture practitioner shall comply with
the following provisions and guidelines.
(a) |
Definitions:
1. |
"Practitioner" is the person who
is being supervised and monitored by the supervisor while performing
acupuncture during postgraduate clinical practice. |
2. |
"Supervisor" is the
acupuncturist who meets the qualifications of this rule and the
applicable statute who is responsible for the supervision of the
practitioner during supervised postgraduate clinical
practice. |
3. |
"Supervised
postgraduate clinical practice" is the practice of acupuncture
performed by a practitioner under the direct supervision of an
approved acupuncturist in facilities approved by the Georgia
Composite Medical Board ("Board"), in consultation with the
Acupuncture Advisory Committee ("Advisory Committee"), pursuant to
the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 43-34-64(c)
and this rule. |
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(b) |
Supervisor: A supervisor shall
be approved to supervise a practitioner by the Board, in consultation
with the Advisory Committee. The supervisor must be licensed in
Georgia as an acupuncturist and actively practicing in this state.
The supervisor shall have no less than four (4) years of active
licensed clinical experience as an acupuncturist. The four (4) years
of active licensed clinical experience may be four (4) combined years
of active licensed practice in Georgia or in other states or
countries as long the standards for licensure of acupuncturists in
said states or countries are substantially equivalent to or exceed
the standards of licensure in Georgia. |
(c) |
Supervision: The supervisor and
practitioner who are engaged in supervised post clinical practice
shall adhere to the following guidelines:
1. |
Plan of supervision:
(i) |
The supervisor shall submit a
letter of intent and a written outlined plan of supervision to the
Board, which shall be reviewed and approved by the Board, in
consultation with the Advisory Committee, before supervised practice
is begun. |
(ii) |
The
supervisor must be present on site and available at all times while
the practitioner is seeing and treating patients. The practitioner
shall practice in the same office with the supervisor. |
(iii) |
A supervisor may not enter
into a plan of supervision with more than two practitioners at a
time. |
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2. |
Monitoring: The supervisor shall monitor no less than one (1)
supervised patient treatment performed by the practitioner no less
than every other week or bi-weekly. Monitoring shall include case
review, supervision of safety procedures, clean needle technique, and
assessment of professionalism of the practitioner. |
3. |
Records:
(i) |
Patient treatment records: The
supervisor shall keep written records of the supervised patient
treatments by the practitioner and shall submit a summary of the
patient treatment records along with quarterly reports to the Board
for its review, in consultation with the Advisory Committee. The
records shall include any information relevant to patient treatment
that is included in the monitoring by the supervisor of the
practitioner. |
(ii) |
Practice records:
I. |
For supervisory
purposes, practice is defined as performing a minimum of 500
acupuncture treatments on at least 100 different patients during a
one (1) year or twelve (12) months supervised clinical period.
Substance abuse or detoxification treatments are not acupuncture
treatments for the purposes of supervised postgraduate clinical
acupuncture practice. |
II. |
Full and complete records with all relevant and supportive
documentation are to be kept at the site of treatment at all times
and made available to the Board for review and inspection. Records
shall include, but not be limited to, appointment schedules, patient
records, treatment records, receipts, and data pertaining to invoice
and payment for acupuncture treatment. |
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4. |
Reports:
(i) |
Quarterly reports: Quarterly
reports shall be submitted to the Board by the supervisor and shall
include the performance, progress and understanding of basic skills
of the practitioner. The report shall also include the number of
patients that the practitioner has seen per month and the number of
acupuncture treatments provided by the practitioner. Quarterly
reports shall be filed with the Board and are due three, six, nine,
and twelve months after provisional licensure issue date. |
(ii) |
Final supervisory report: At
the end of the probationary period, a final review from the
supervisor shall be submitted about the practitioner's progress with
a recommendation to the Board regarding fitness of the practitioner
to practice acupuncture as a solo practitioner. The report shall be
reviewed by the Advisory Committee and a recommendation made by the
Advisory Committee concerning Board action. |
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(d) |
Provisions regarding
supervised practice may also be used as guidelines for restrictions
placed upon the practice of acupuncture by persons licensed by the
Board as authorized by statute. |
(e) |
Failure to adhere to guidelines
regarding supervised postgraduate clinical practice may result in
sanctions, restrictions, or disciplinary actions upon licensees by
the Board. |
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(1) |
Each applicant for a license to
perform auricular (ear) detoxification therapy as an auricular (ear)
detoxification technician must meet the requirements listed below. If
an applicant does not meet all requirements for licensure stated in
this Rule, the Board may, in its discretion, grant a license to an
applicant upon the recommendation of the Advisory Committee.
(a) |
Be at least 21 years of age and
of good moral character; |
(b) |
Submit a completed application
as required by the Board; |
(c) |
Submit an application fee as
required by the Board; |
(d) |
Have successfully completed a
nationally recognized training program in auricular (ear)
detoxification therapy for the treatment of chemical dependence as
approved by the Board; and |
(e) |
Have successfully completed a
nationally recognized clean needle technique course approved by the
Board. |
(f) |
Submit
verification of applicant's coverage by employer's professional
liability insurance. |
(g) |
An applicant must satisfactorily complete all requirements for
licensure within one year from the date the Board receives the
application. |
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(2) |
The practice of auricular (ear)
detoxification therapy may take place only in a city, county, state,
federal or private chemical dependency program approved by the Board
and under the direct supervision of a licensed acupuncturist or a
person licensed to practice acupuncture by the Board who is also
authorized to practice medicine in the State of Georgia. |
(3) |
The title "Auricular
Detoxification Technician (ADT)" may only be used by persons licensed
pursuant to the Act and these rules who practice auricular (ear)
detoxification therapy. Licensure as an ADT does not by itself
entitle a person to use the title "Acupuncturist" or "Licensed
Acupuncturist." |
(4) |
Every
person who holds a license issued by the Board shall inform the Board
of any change of address or any other change of information,
including but not limited to a change of employment, required for
licensure pursuant to the Act and these Rules. |
(5) |
A license for an Auricular
Detoxification Technician (ADT) is limited to and only valid for the
employer designated at time of licensure. The ADT licensee shall be
covered by the professional liability insurance of the licensee's
employer.
(a) |
If an ADT licensee
changes employers, the licensee must file a "Request To Change
Employers" form with the Board and must receive permission from the
Board to change employers. |
(b) |
If an ADT licensee terminates
employment with the designated employer, the ADT license becomes
automatically inactive until such time a new application is
made. |
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(6) |
Every person who holds a license issued by the Board as an Auricular
Detoxification Technician must wear an identification badge stating
their name and title at all times while rendering therapy. |
(1) |
Every person who is licensed to
practice auricular (ear) detoxification therapy pursuant to the Act
and these Rules and who is actively practicing auricular (ear)
detoxification therapy shall display the license issued by the Board
in a public and appropriate manner. |
(2) |
Any license or document
evidencing licensure issued by the Board is the property of the Board
and shall be surrendered on demand. |
(1) |
No person shall:
(a) |
Practice acupuncture or
auricular detoxification therapy in Georgia without a license;
or |
(b) |
Represent himself
or herself to be an Acupuncturist or Auricular Detoxification
Technician if he or she is not licensed under the Act. |
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(2) |
The following
persons are exempt from licensure by the Board to practice
acupuncture or auricular detoxification therapy in Georgia:
(a) |
Students who practice
acupuncture as an integral part of a program of study and who are
enrolled in a Board-approved acupuncture education program under the
direct clinical supervision of a licensed acupuncturist with at least
five years of clinical experience; or |
(b) |
Persons who are licensed or
certified to perform acupuncture in any other jurisdiction where such
persons are doing so in the course of regular instruction in a
Board-approved educational program of acupuncture or in an
educational seminar of a Board-approved professional organization of
acupuncture; provided that in the latter case, the practice is
supervised directly by a person licensed to practice acupuncture
pursuant to the Act or an acupuncturist who is licensed to practice
medicine under Georgia law. |
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Licensed physicians desiring to practice acupuncture
in Georgia shall successfully complete a Board-approved 300 hour
course and notify the Board in writing of their intent to practice
acupuncture no less than thirty (30) days prior to incorporating such
therapies into their medical practice. Physicians authorized by the
Board to perform acupuncture are entitled to the same rights and
privileges as those licensed to practice acupuncture and auricular
detoxification therapy.
(1) |
The intention and policy of the
Board is to reflect the cultural diversity of the citizens of Georgia
in the composition of the Acupuncture Advisory Committee ("Advisory
Committee"). The Advisory Committee shall be comprised as follows:
(a) |
At least four (4) appointees,
including one (1) individual who may be a lay person or a licensed
acupuncturist, three (3) individuals who are licensed acupuncturists
and representative of the acupuncture profession and other such
individuals as the Board, in its discretion, may determine.
1. |
At time of appointment by the
Board, such individuals shall be licensed to practice
acupuncture; |
2. |
All
appointees to the Advisory Committee shall have on file with the
Executive Director of the Board, or his/her designee, a resume and
three (3) letters of recommendation, (one of which may be from a
physician familiar with the appointee's practice of
acupuncture); |
3. |
In order
to preserve continuity on the Advisory Committee, two (2) appointees
shall serve a two year term and two (2) appointees shall serve a one
year term which will be considered a partial term. At the time of
appointment, each appointee will be notified in writing by the
Executive Director of the Board as to the beginning and ending dates
of their respective appointment terms. Each may reapply to the full
Board to serve an additional term, but may not serve more than two
consecutive terms; |
4. |
In
the event an Advisory Committee member is replaced during a term, the
replacement member will serve the remaining time of that term as a
partial term. An Advisory Committee member who serves a partial term
will, after the completion of the partial term, be eligible to serve
two consecutive two-year terms; |
5. |
Appointees shall serve without
compensation from the State of Georgia for their time and
expenses; |
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(b) |
One (1) individual who is a licensed physician and who practices or
teaches acupuncture who:
1. |
Shall
serve a two year term and may be reappointed for an additional two
year term by a majority vote of the Board, but may not serve more
than two consecutive terms; and |
2. |
Shall serve without compensation
for time and expenses from the State of Georgia; and |
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(2) |
The
Advisory Committee shall advise the Board on matters pertaining to
the appointment of the Advisory Committee members and on all matters
within the purview of the Act. The Board, in consultation with the
Advisory Committee, shall:
(a) |
Determine the qualifications and fitness of applicants for licensure
and renewal of licensure; |
(b) |
Adopt and revise rules
consistent with the laws of the State of Georgia that are necessary
to conduct its duties and administer the Act; and |
(c) |
Examine, approve, issue, deny,
revoke, suspend and renew the license of applicants and licensees and
conduct hearings in connection with all duties to be performed
pursuant to the Act. |
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(3) |
Advisory Committee members, who
are not members of the Board, must be available to meet on an as
needed basis and may not miss more than three (3) consecutive
meetings of the Advisory Committee, or four (4) meetings in a
calendar year, without an excused absence from either the Executive
Director of the Board or the Board President.
(a) |
The Advisory Committee may
recommend to the Board the removal of a member for violation of the
attendance rule. Such a recommendation shall be by majority vote of
the Advisory Committee. |
(b) |
Upon receipt of a
recommendation for removal, the Board may remove a member of the
Advisory Committee by a majority vote. |
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(4) |
Advisory Committee vacancies
may be filled by the Board upon recommendation from the Advisory
Committee by advertising on the Board's web page or by any other
appropriate means. All applicants must meet any deadline set by the
Board and shall have on file with the Executive Director of the
Board, or with his/her designee, a resume and three (3) letters of
recommendation (one of which may be from a physician familiar with
the applicant's practice of acupuncture). |
(1) |
All licenses issued pursuant to
the Act shall be renewed on a biennial basis. The license will expire
on the last day of the month in which the applicant's birthday
falls. |
(2) |
Failure to
renew a license by the expiration date shall result in a penalty for
late renewal as required by the Board. |
(3) |
Licenses not renewed within
three (3) months of expiration shall be administratively revoked for
failure to renew and shall be posted to the public and posted on the
Board's website. |
(4) |
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Rule, any
service member as defined in O.C.G.A. § 15-12-1
whose license expired while serving on active duty outside the state
shall be permitted to practice in accordance with the expired license
and shall not be charged with a violation relating to such practice
on an expired license for a period of six (6) months from the date of
his or her discharge from active duty or reassignment to a location
within the state. Such service member shall be entitled to renew such
expired license without penalty within six (6) months after the date
of his or her discharge from active duty or reassignment to a
location within this state. The service member must present to the
Board a copy of the official military orders or written verification
signed by the service member's commanding officer to waive any
charges. |
(5) |
To be
eligible for renewal, a licensee must furnish satisfactory evidence
of having met 40 hours of Board approved continuing education
requirements, including a minimum of one hour concerning infectious
disease. |
(6) |
Licensees
must certify on the renewal form that they have read, understand and
are familiar with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) guidelines for preventing the transmission of the Human
Immuno-deficiency virus, Ebola, Hepatitis B and C and other
infectious diseases. |
(7) |
Licensees are subject to audit to determine compliance with the
continuing education requirements as stipulated in rules promulgated
by the Board. |
(8) |
Failure
to maintain continuing education requirements is a basis for
non-renewal and revocation of license issued pursuant to the
Act. |
(9) |
All renewal
applicants must provide an affidavit and a secure and verifiable
document in accordance with O.C.G.A.
50-36-1(f).
If the applicant has previously provided a secure and verifiable
document and affidavit of United States citizenship, no additional
documentation of citizenship is required for renewal. If the
applicant for renewal is not a United States citizen, he/she must
submit documentation that will determine his/her qualified alien
status. The Board participates in the DHS-USCIS SAVE (Systematic
Alien Verification for Entitlements or "SAVE") program for purpose of
verifying citizenship and immigration status information of non-U.S.
citizens. If the applicant for renewal is a qualified alien or
non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act,
he/she must provide the alien number issued by the Department of
Homeland Security or other federal agency. |
(1) |
The
practice of acupuncture and auricular (ear) detoxification is found
to affect the public health, safety and welfare and is a proper
subject of regulation. |
(2) |
As acupuncture and auricular
(ear) detoxification are prolonged invasive procedures of the human
skin utilizing sharp instruments, all necessary precautions should be
taken for the prevention of the transmission of the Human
Immuno-deficiency Virus, (the virus known to cause Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome), Hepatitis B and C and other infectious
diseases. Persons licensed under this Act and those exempt
individuals practicing acupuncture should take all measures to
conform to the most current recommendations of the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for preventing transmission of
Human Immuno-deficiency Virus, Hepatitis B and C and other infectious
diseases to patients during prolonged invasive procedures that are
contained in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 1991; 40 (No.
RR-8) pages 1-9. It is the responsibility of all persons currently
licensed by the Board to maintain familiarity with these
recommendations, which are considered by the Board to be the minimum
standards of acceptable and prevailing medical practice. Failing to
meet these minimum standards will be considered by the Board to be
unprofessional conduct and subject to review and disciplinary action
by the Board. |
(3) |
Disposable acupuncture needles are considered a biohazard waste
material and must be disposed of in accordance with all applicable
federal and state laws, rules and regulations. To further ensure the
public health and safety of the citizens of Georgia, persons licensed
under this Act and exempt individuals practicing acupuncture must
keep accurate medical and office records that reflect the following
detailed information:
(a) |
Invoices
for the purchase of disposable needles; and |
(b) |
Documentive disposal of all
needles and method of disposal. |
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(4) |
Records pertaining to needle
purchase and needle disposal must be kept for a period of no less
than five (5) years and are to be surrendered to the Board, when
requested in writing by an authorized representative of the Board or
requested by an agent of the Board, in reference to a complaint,
allegation and/or investigation of the Board. |
(5) |
All licensees licensed pursuant
to this Act must file a notarized document, devised and approved by
the Board, acknowledging that they have read, understand and are
familiar with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
guidelines for preventing the transmission of the Human
Immuno-deficiency virus, Hepatitis B and C and other infectious
diseases. This document must be filed with the Board at the time of
application and at each renewal cycle. |
Temporary permits for the license of acupuncturists
and auricular (ear) detoxification technicians may be issued by the
Board.
As stated in O.C.G.A.
43-9-16
and as amended by Section 1.1 of the Act, chiropractors who wish to
practice acupuncture must meet the licensing requirements of the Act
and the acupuncture rules promulgated by the Board. Chiropractor
applicants must be licensed to practice as a chiropractor in the
State of Georgia, have an active chiropractic license and be in good
standing with the Georgia Board of Chiropractic Examiners. In
compliance with the intent of the Georgia General Assembly, nothing
in these rules shall be construed to prohibit a chiropractor who is
licensed under Article 3 to perform acupuncture in Georgia from
engaging in the practice of acupuncture. The Georgia Composite
Medical Board, and no other examining board, shall have sole,
exclusive and original jurisdiction over such chiropractors who have
been granted a license to practice acupuncture in this State for the
purpose of establishing standards for licensure of acupuncturists and
for the enforcement of such standards of acupuncture through
disciplinary action.
(1) |
No person licensed under this
Act may hold himself or herself out as licensed to practice medicine
in the State of Georgia unless he or she is licensed by the Board to
practice medicine. |
(2) |
No
person may advertise or hold himself out to the public as being a
"Licensed Acupuncturist" or a licensed "Auricular Detoxification
Technician" unless the person is licensed under this Act or otherwise
exempt by law from licensure. |
(1) |
Any person who undergoes
acupuncture must consent in writing prior to such a procedure and
shall be informed in general terms of the following:
(a) |
That an acupuncturist is not
licensed to practice medicine in the State of Georgia; |
(b) |
That an acupuncturist cannot
practice medicine in the State of Georgia; |
(c) |
That the acupuncturist is not
making a medical diagnosis of the person's disease or medical
condition; |
(d) |
That, if
the person wants to obtain a medical diagnosis, the person should see
a licensed physician and seek medical advise from a licensed
physician; and |
(e) |
The
nature and purpose of the acupuncture treatment being
rendered. |
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(2) |
Any person who undergoes auricular (ear) detoxification must consent
in writing prior to such a procedure and shall be informed in general
terms of the following:
(a) |
That an
Auricular (ear) Detoxification Technician is not licensed to practice
medicine in the State of Georgia; |
(b) |
That an Auricular (ear)
Detoxification Technician cannot practice medicine in the State of
Georgia; |
(c) |
That an
Auricular (ear) Detoxification Technician is not licensed to practice
acupuncture in the State of Georgia; |
(d) |
That an Auricular (ear)
Detoxification Technician is not making a diagnosis of the person's
disease or medical condition; |
(e) |
That, if the person wants to
obtain a medical diagnosis, the person should see a licensed
physician and seek medical advice from a licensed physician;
and |
(f) |
The nature and
purpose of the auricular (ear) detoxification therapy procedure being
rendered. |
(g) |
An
Auricular (ear) Detoxification Technician is strictly limited to five
ear points' treatment for detoxification for substance abuse,
chemical dependency, or both. |
(h) |
Persons licensed to practice
acupuncture or auricular (ear) detoxification must use a Board
approved, standardized "informed consent" form for each person
treated. The form shall be signed and dated by both practitioner and
patient prior to the rendering of services. |
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The Board, in consultation with the Advisory
Committee, may:
(1) |
Impose
any sanction authorized under subsection (d) of O.C.G.A.
43-1-19
upon a finding of any conduct specified in subsection (a) of O.C.G.A.
43-1-19;
or |
(2) |
Make a finding
that such conduct involved dividing or agreeing to divide a fee for
acupuncture services with any person who refers a patient. |
(1) |
A person who wishes to maintain
his or her Acupuncturist license, but who does not intend to practice
Acupuncture, may apply to the Board for inactive status by submitting
an application and the fee.
(a) |
An
individual with an inactive license may not practice as an
Acupuncturist in this State. |
(b) |
In order to reinstate an
Acupuncturist license, the Board must receive a completed application
and reinstatement fee. The applicant must be able to demonstrate to
the satisfaction of the Board that he or she has maintained current
knowledge, skill and proficiency in Acupuncture and that he or she is
mentally and physically able to practice with reasonable skill and
safety. |
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(2) |
A
person who wishes to maintain his or her Auricular Detoxification
Technician license, but who does not intend to practice auricular
detoxification therapy, may apply to the Board for inactive status by
submitting an application and the fee.
(a) |
An individual with an inactive
license may not practice as an Auricular Detoxification Technician in
this State. |
(b) |
In order
to reinstate a license to practice as an Auricular Detoxification
Technician, the Board must receive a completed application and a
reinstatement fee. The applicant must be able to demonstrate to the
satisfaction of the Board that he or she has maintained current
knowledge, skill and proficiency in Auricular Detoxification Therapy
and that he or she is mentally and physically able to practice with
reasonable skill and safety. |
|
(3) |
Reinstatement of the license is
within the discretion of the Board. |