The Guild advocates for evidence-based standards of practice along with governing legislation and oversight based upon those standards. The Guild works to assure that licensed acupuncturists (LACs) are included as primary care providers. We pursue a three fold mission that addresses current problems that impede patient access to quality and evidence-based Chinese Medicine as well as the ability of practitioners of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine to work successfully in their field. Our mission is to:

1. Educate practitioners to a level of competence that meets the standards of primary care and full integration with conventional mainstream medicine;
2. Provide workforce opportunities for qualified practitioners in mainstream healthcare;
3. Hold accountable governmental agencies that oversee the profession.

The Guild is the only professional society that is actively and realistically addressing the issue of under- and unemployment within the profession. The Guild endorses and sponsors a Chinese Medicine Orthopedics: Pain Management and Therapeutics Specialty Training program that gives LAcs sufficient knowledge to function as an integrative provider. The Guild has negotiated carve-out agreements and network provider opportunities with various insurance and self-insured entities under our OPEIU charter.

The Guild recognizes American healthcare consumers do not have ready access to the benefits of qualified acupuncture care. The Guild recognizes that mainstream medicine providers view acupuncture and Oriental medicine with caution and skepticism. Both circumstances are a function of an educational and oversight system that ignores sound anatomical and physiological foundations that effectively marginalize the profession. This can and should be corrected.

The Guild develops its own initiatives – and supports those of others - that seek to strengthen educational quality and enforce existing regulations. One such initiative is to redirect acupuncture such that licensed practitioners are able to find work within mainstream medicine as integrative providers. This initiative will reduce current levels of under- and unemployment and enable LAcs to find their role in healthcare for all consumers.

We have posted four new Position Papers that outline Guild positions regarding topics of critical interest to Licensed Acupuncturists. These are the first of numerous papers that will follow. The papers are limited to two pages to encourage a quick review. Each is evidence-based with references.

The Guild is working with Insurance provider California Professional Insurance Services (CALPRO) to offer discount premiums for Guild members. Once you examine your current insurance policy and compare it to that offered by CALPRO you will realize what has been missing from your current coverage.
Click here for a PDF about CALPRO services.

Guild members are expected to adhere to our Code of Ethics. The following excerpts reflect the letter and spirit of the Code.

Pursue the practice of my profession with honesty and integrity and place the welfare and rights of my patients above all other interests

Improve my skills by constant study of Oriental medicine using the scientific basis of evidence and proof, giving support to the advancement of evidentiary basis of Oriental Medicine.

Protect the public, the profession and the medicine from practitioners lacking in moral character or professional competence

Promote myself or my practice with honesty. I will endeavor not to be false, misleading or fraudulent.

My research and academic pursuits will be conducted in an honest, fair, truthful, and comprehensive fashion.

I will give my full commitment to a patient once I accept the case.

Click here to learn how the Guild works with labor organizations to strengthen our profession.