State Acupuncture Board - Revisions
HB374 revises Maryland’s laws governing the State Acupuncture Board and the practice of acupuncture. The bill defines “manual therapies” for purposes of acupuncture law, describing them as pressure or manipulation techniques using the hands or another part of the body along points or meridians, and expressly includes acupressure and similar East Asian medical pressure techniques. It also updates the licensing framework by requiring the Board to make proof of renewal available to licensees instead of issuing a renewal certificate.
The bill also strengthens enforcement against unlicensed practice. It prohibits a person from employing someone to practice acupuncture without a license and from aiding or abetting unauthorized acupuncture practice. In addition, it revises the penalty structure for violations involving this new section, creating separate criminal and civil penalties for violating the employment/assistance prohibition, including misdemeanor and felony treatment for repeat offenses and a lower civil fine cap than the general unauthorized-practice provisions.
HB374 makes a targeted change to acupuncture licensure standards as well. For applicants licensed on or after June 1, 2026, the bill requires both graduation from an approved or equivalent master’s-level acupuncture program and passage of the national acupuncture examination or an equivalent exam determined by the Board. The bill also updates terminology in the education provisions to refer to “herbal medicine” rather than “Oriental” medicine, reflecting a modernized statutory term.
The bill’s impact is primarily on the Health Occupations Article, Title 1A, by clarifying what counts as acupuncture practice, adjusting Board administrative procedures, and expanding legal tools to deter unlicensed practice and improper employment arrangements. It affects licensed acupuncturists, acupuncture employers, applicants for licensure, and the State Acupuncture Board, which retains regulatory authority and enforcement responsibilities.
The overall sentiment appears strongly supportive, with the bill passing both chambers by wide margins and no recorded committee opposition in the provided materials. The main point of contention, to the extent one is visible from the text, is the scope of the new enforcement provisions and the increased penalties for employing or assisting unlicensed practice, though the voting history suggests little legislative resistance. The bill was enacted and signed into law.
HB374 amends multiple provisions of the Health Occupations Article governing acupuncture, including definitions, licensure requirements, renewal procedures, and penalties. It creates a statutory definition of “manual therapies,” changes renewal documentation from a certificate to proof of renewal, and adds a prohibition on employing unlicensed acupuncturists or aiding unauthorized practice. It also establishes a new penalty section for violations of that prohibition and updates educational and examination requirements for future applicants, thereby tightening regulation of the profession and strengthening Board enforcement authority.
The bill appears to have enjoyed broad bipartisan support and little visible controversy. It passed the House 122-2 and the Senate 43-0, and there are no committee transcript excerpts indicating opposition or significant debate. The vote totals suggest the measure was viewed as a routine regulatory update to acupuncture law rather than a contentious policy change.
The most notable potential point of contention is the bill’s stronger enforcement regime, especially the new prohibition on employing unlicensed practitioners and the criminal/civil penalties attached to violations. Another possible issue is the updated licensure standard for applicants after June 1, 2026, which could be seen as tightening entry requirements. However, the available voting record shows overwhelming approval, indicating that any concerns were limited or resolved during the legislative process.