58-72-102. Acupuncture licensing -- Definitions.

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A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Effective 5/6/2026

As used in this chapter:

(1)"Acupuncture aide" means:

(a)an individual who is not licensed under this chapter but provides a supportive service under the indirect supervision of a licensed acupuncturist who is physically present and available during the performance of a delegated supportive service; and

(i)an individual who holds a certification in clean needle technique from the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine;

(ii)an individual who completes a course using the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine clean needle technique that the division approves by rule; or

(iii)meets the qualifications the division makes by rule.

(2)"Board" means the Board of Massage Therapy and Acupuncture created in Section 58-47b-201 .

(a)"Injection therapy" means the use of a hypodermic needle, by a licensed acupuncturist who satisfies the coursework and supervised experience requirements that the division makes by rule to inject any of the following sterile substances in liquid form into acupuncture points on the body subcutaneously or intramuscularly:

(i)a nutritional substance;

(ii)a local anesthetic;

(iii)autologous blood, if the licensee holds a current phlebotomy certification to draw blood;

(iv)sterile water;

(v)dextrose;

(vi)sodium bicarbonate;

(vii)sterile saline; and

(viii)other substances as defined by the division in rule.

(b)"Injection therapy" includes using ultrasound guidance to ensure that an injection is only a subcutaneous injection or an intramuscular injection.

(c)"Injection therapy" does not include injecting a substance into a vein, artery, blood vessel, nerve, deep organ, or the spine.

(4)"Moxibustion" means a heat therapy that uses the herb moxa to heat acupuncture points of the body.

(a)"Practice of acupuncture" means the insertion of acupuncture needles, the use of injection therapy, and the application of moxibustion to specific areas of the body based on traditional oriental medical diagnosis and modern research as a primary mode of therapy.

(b)"Practice of acupuncture" may include the following adjunctive therapies:

(i)applying manual, mechanical, thermal, electrical, light, and electromagnetic treatments based on traditional oriental medical diagnosis and modern research;

(ii)recommending, administering, or provisioning dietary guidelines, herbs, supplements, homeopathics, and therapeutic exercise based on traditional oriental medical diagnosis and modern research according to practitioner training;

(iii)performing a practice described in Subsections (5)(a) and (5)(b) on an animal to the extent permitted by:

(A)Subsection 58-28-307(12) ;

(B)the provisions of this chapter; and

(C)division rule; and

(iv)delegating a task to an acupuncture aide and supervising the performance of the task.

(c)"Practice of acupuncture" does not include:

(i)the manual manipulation or adjustment of the joints of the body beyond the elastic barrier; or

(ii)the "manipulation of the articulation of the spinal column" as defined in Section 58-73-102 .

(a)"Supportive services" means the acts that the division defines in rule for which the acupuncture aide is trained.

(b)"Supportive services" does not include providing:

(i)a diagnosis;

(ii)point location;

(iii)needle insertion;

(iv)electrical stimulation;

(v)advice to a patient; or

(vi)a procedure requiring a similar degree of judgment or skill, or an additional act the department defines by rule.

(7)"Unprofessional conduct" is as defined in Sections 58-1-501 and 58-72-503 , and as the division may define by rule.

Amended by Chapter 96 , 2026 General Session