As of January 2026, the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) officially became the National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM). Whether you're a certified acupuncturist or someone working toward board certification, this change touches your credentials and the broader direction of the field. Here's what it means and what to expect.
Why the Name Changed
The old name no longer reflected the profession accurately, and the term "Oriental medicine" had long been a point of contention for its outdated cultural connotations. The organization's leadership moved to adopt language that is more inclusive and more aligned with how the profession presents itself today.
There's also a practical alignment worth noting. The profession's accrediting body and its council of colleges had already made similar changes, becoming the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) and the Council of Colleges for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (CCAHM), respectively. The NCCAOM's transition to NCBAHM brings the certification body in step with the rest of the field's national infrastructure.
The word "Herbal Medicine" in the new name has raised some questions, and understandably so. The organization still certifies practitioners specifically in Chinese herbal medicine, and that focus has not changed. The broader term was chosen to better represent the full scope of certifications offered, including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and related modalities, while also acknowledging that much of TCM overlaps with other herbal traditions such as Japanese (Kampo) and Korean practices. The name is not meant to imply certification in traditions outside of Chinese herbal medicine.
What This Means for Your Credentials
If you hold active certification, your credentials remain valid and unchanged. Exams, policies, recertification requirements, and accreditation standards are all continuing as they were. The organizational name is different, but the substance behind it is the same.
That said, professional designations are being updated. Active Diplomates will begin using the new format in 2026:
- Dipl. Ac. (NCBAHM)™ for Acupuncture
- Dipl. C.H. (NCBAHM)™ for Chinese Herbology
- Dipl. ABT (NCBAHM)™ for Asian Bodywork Therapy
- Dipl. A.H.M. (NCBAHM)™ for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
One credential seeing a more substantive update is the "Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (OM)," which is being renamed to "Diplomate of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine." The organization has committed to providing guidance to current Diplomates of OM on how to reference their board certification during this transition. Until those official announcements are made, Diplomates of OM can continue using their existing credential.
Certificates, Badges, and Branding
New branding, including updated digital badges and certificates, began rolling out in January 2026. Here's how the timeline works:
- Newly certified Diplomates and those completing recertification in 2026 or later will receive certificates and ID cards bearing the new NCBAHM name and logo.
- Diplomates who recertified before 2026 will continue using their current wall certificates and ID cards until their next recertification cycle, at which point they'll receive updated materials.
- Digital badges with the new branding are being uploaded to all certified Diplomates by the end of Q1 2026.
There's no need to request a replacement certificate ahead of schedule. The transition is being handled through the normal recertification process.
The Regulatory Side
One of the more practical concerns around the name change involves state-level regulation. Many state practice acts and licensing statutes reference the NCCAOM by name, and updating that language requires legislative or regulatory action that moves at different speeds depending on the state.
The NCBAHM has indicated that it is working directly with state associations and regulatory bodies to manage these updates on a state-by-state basis, with a collaborative approach tailored to each state's circumstances. For practitioners, the important thing to know is that your license and certification are not affected by the pace of any state's language update. The credential behind the name remains recognized and accredited.
What This Signals for the Profession
Beyond the logistics, the name change reflects a broader effort to position acupuncture and herbal medicine more prominently within U.S. healthcare. The NCBAHM has been collaborating with the American Society of Acupuncturists on federal and state advocacy, and the organization has highlighted several ongoing initiatives worth following: expanding scope of practice at the state level, advocating for Medicare recognition for licensed acupuncturists, partnering with the Department of Veterans Affairs to increase access to acupuncture for veterans, and supporting research and public outreach.
The rebranding is one piece of a longer strategy aimed at strengthening the profession's visibility and integration into mainstream healthcare systems. For students and early-career practitioners, these are developments worth keeping an eye on, as they may shape the regulatory and reimbursement landscape in meaningful ways over the coming years.
Stay current with the latest developments in acupuncture and herbal medicine through our continuing education courses.
