The Board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor.
Of the seven members:
Five shall be licensed acupuncturists appointed from a list submitted as provided in subsection (c) of this section; and
Two shall be consumer members.
Each acupuncturist member shall:
Be a resident of the State; and
For at least 5 years immediately before appointment have been engaged in the practice of acupuncture in the State.
For each vacancy of an acupuncture member, the Board shall compile a list of names to be submitted to the Governor in the following manner:
The Board shall notify all licensed acupuncturists in the State of the vacancy to solicit nominations to fill the vacancy;
Each professional association of acupuncturists in the State shall nominate at least one person for every two vacancies that exist; and
Each educational institution that provides acupuncture training in the State shall nominate at least one person for every two vacancies that exist.
The consumer members:
Shall be members of the general public;
May not be or ever have been an acupuncturist or in training to become an acupuncturist;
May not have a household member who is an acupuncturist or in training to become an acupuncturist;
May not participate or ever have participated in a commercial or professional field related to acupuncture;
May not have a household member who participates in a commercial or professional field related to acupuncture; and
May not have had within 2 years before appointment a substantial financial interest in a person regulated by the Board.
While a member of the Board, the consumer member may not have a substantial financial interest in a person regulated by the Board.
Before taking office, each appointee to the Board shall take the oath required by Article I, ยง 9 of the Maryland Constitution.
The term of a member is 4 years.
The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Board on July 1, 1994.
At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
A member may not serve more than two consecutive full terms.
A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
The Governor may remove a member for incompetence or misconduct.