Chapter 15. Registration of Physicians to Perform Acupuncture
Regulation .01 Definitions.LinkCopy Citation
A.
In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
B.
Terms Defined.
(1)
“Applicant” means a physician who has applied to the Board for registration to perform acupuncture in this State.
(2)
“Board” means the State Board of Physicians.
(3)
“Medical acupuncture course of study” means a sequence of study in acupuncture approved by the Board, which sequence may consist of combinations of course work from unrelated institutions completed within 5 years of the date of application, that includes at least 200 hours of instruction in general and basic aspects, specific uses and techniques of acupuncture, and indications and contraindications of acupuncture administration.
(4)
“Medical acupuncture program” means a program of study in acupuncture which has been approved for Category I continuing medical education credit by an institution accredited or recognized by the Accreditation Council on Continuing Medical Education to conduct Category I continuing medical education courses.
(5)
“Physician” means an individual licensed to practice medicine in Maryland.
(6)
“To perform acupuncture” means to stimulate a certain point or points on or near the surface of the human body by the insertion of needles to prevent or modify the perception of pain or to normalize physiological functions, including pain control, for the treatment of ailments or conditions of the body and for maintenance of good health.
Regulation .02 Application.LinkCopy Citation
To qualify for registration, a physician shall:
A.
Complete an application on a form supplied by the Board, enclosing:
(1)
Required supplementary materials, which are in English, and
(2)
English translations of certified, required documentation with costs borne by the applicant;
B.
Pay a registration fee of $150;
C.
Submit a current, signed passport-sized photograph;
D.
Be a licensed physician; and
E.
Submit evidence of having successfully completed 200 hours of training in a medical acupuncture program or course of study, including any required examinations.
Regulation .03 Unprofessional Conduct.LinkCopy Citation
Unprofessional conduct in the practice of medicine includes the failure of a physician to:
A.
Comply with the statute and regulations governing physicians who perform acupuncture, and includes representing oneself as a registered acupuncturist without having met all the previous requirements; and
B.
Be registered by the Board, or to have met all the requirements of Health Occupations Article, §§1A-101 — 1A-502 and §14-302(4) — (5), Annotated Code of Maryland.
Regulation .04 Advertising.LinkCopy Citation
A.
A physician who has been registered by the Board to perform acupuncture may advertise services subject to the provisions of this regulation.
B.
An advertisement may not express statements:
(1)
Containing misrepresentation of facts;
(2)
That are likely to mislead or deceive because in context the statement makes only a partial disclosure of relevant facts;
(3)
That intend to or are likely to create false or unjustified expectations of favorable results;
(4)
Relating to fees, other than a standard consultation fee or a range of fees for specific types of services, without fully disclosing all relevant variables so that the statement would not be misunderstood or be deceptive to a layman;
(5)
Conveying the impression that the physician who has been registered by the Board to perform acupuncture could improperly influence a public body, official, corporation, or an individual on behalf of a patient; or
(6)
Containing representations that a physician who has been registered by the Board to perform acupuncture is:
(a)
Willing to perform any procedure which is illegal under the laws or regulations of Maryland or the United States, or
(b)
A licensed acupuncturist under Health Occupations Article, §1A-101 et seq., Annotated Code of Maryland, unless licensed by the State Acupuncture Board.
C.
A physician who has been registered by the Board to perform acupuncture is accountable under this regulation if the physician uses an agent, partnership, professional association, or health maintenance organization to implement actions prohibited by this regulation.
Chapter annotations
Authority: Health Occupations Article, §14-504, Annotated Code of Maryland
History: Effective date: September 11, 1995 (22:18 Md. R. 1400)