The most common degree designation for an acupuncturist is LAc, some states use different titles or abbreviations to signify that their practitioners are licensed.

Listed below are some of the most commonly used abbreviations (and their titles) in the acupuncture and Oriental medicine profession.

Professional Titles

Abbreviation ABT AcD AP CA, CAc CH CT DAc D. Acu Dipl. ABT Dipl. Ac, Dipl. CH Dipl. OM DNBAO DAOM DOM DTCM, Dr. TCM FIAMA LAc, Lic. Ac. MAOM MSOM MTCM MTOM OMD PhD RAc, Reg. Ac. R. TCM. H. R. TCM. P. TCMD

Title Asian Bodywork Therapist Acupuncture Doctor (used in Canada) Acupuncture Physician (used in Florida) Certified Acupuncturist Chinese Herbalist Clinical Technician Doctor of Acupuncture (used in Hawaii) Doctor of Acupuncture (used in Rhode Island) Diplomate in Asian Bodywork Therapy Diplomate in Acupuncture Diplomate in Chinese Herbalism Diplomate in Oriental Medicine Diplomate, National Board of Acupuncture Orthopedics Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Doctor of Oriental Medicine Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (used in Canada) Fellow, International Academy of Medical Acupuncture Licensed Acupuncturist Master, Art of Oriental Medicine Master, Science of Oriental Medicine Master, Traditional Chinese Medicine Master, Traditional Oriental Medicine Oriental Medicine Doctor Doctor of Philosophy Registered Acupuncturist (used in PA, CO and Canada) Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbalist (Canada) Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (Canada) Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor (used in Canada)

Organizational Titles

Abbreviation AAMA AAOM ACAOM AOBTA CCAOM FAOMRA IAMA IVAS NADA NAOMA NCCAOM NSAA SAR

Organization American Academy of Medical Acupuncture American Association of Oriental Medicine Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Federation of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Regulatory Agencies International Academy of Medical Acupuncture International Veterinary Acupuncture Society National Acupuncture Detoxification Association National Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine National Sports Acupuncture Association Society for Acupuncture Research