653—17.4 (147,148E) Eligibility for licensure.
	 17.4(1) Eligibility requirements for those who apply after July 1, 2001. To be licensed to practice acupuncture by the board, a person shall meet all of the following requirements:
	  a.   	 Fulfill all the application requirements, as specified in 17.5(147,148E).
	  b.   	 Hold current active status as a diplomate in NCCAOM or, after June 1, 2004, hold current active status as a diplomate in acupuncture or oriental medicine from NCCAOM.
	  c.   	 Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the English language to understand and be understood by patients and board and committee members.
	 (1) 	 An applicant who passed the NCCAOM written and practical examination components in English may be presumed to have sufficient proficiency in English.
	 (2) 	 An applicant who passed NCCAOM written or practical examination components in a language other than English shall pass the Test of Spoken English (TSE) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examinations administered by the Educational Testing Service. A passing score on TSE is a minimum of 50. A passing score on TOEFL is a minimum overall score of 550 on the paper-based TOEFL that was administered on a Friday or Saturday (formerly special or international administration), a minimum overall score of 213 on the computer-administered TOEFL, or a minimum overall score of 79 on the Internet-based examination.
	  d.   	 Successfully complete a three-year postsecondary training program or acupuncture college program which is accredited by, in candidacy for accreditation by, or which meets the standards of, the National Accreditation Commission for Schools and Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
	  e.   	 Successfully complete a course in clean needle technique approved by the NCCAOM.
	 17.4(2) Eligibility requirements for current registrants. To continue practicing and to be licensed to practice acupuncture by the board, a registrant shall meet all of the following requirements within 60 days of receiving the application by certified mail:
	  a.   	 Fulfill all the application requirements, as specified in 17.5(147,148E).
	  b.   	 Provide documented evidence of current active status as a diplomate in NCCAOM.
	  c.   	 Provide documented evidence of successful completion of a course in clean needle technique approved by NCCAOM.
	 17.4(3) Eligibility requirements for former registrants who apply before July 1, 2001. To be licensed to practice acupuncture by the board, a former registrant shall meet all of the following requirements by July 1, 2001:
	  a.   	 Fulfill all the application requirements, as specified in 17.5(147,148E).
	  b.   	 Provide documented evidence of current active status as a diplomate in NCCAOM.
	  c.   	 Provide documented evidence of successful completion of a course in clean needle technique approved by NCCAOM.
	  d.   	 Refrain from practice until a license is issued.
	 17.4(4) Eligibility requirements for individuals who apply before July 1, 2001, and who have not been registrants. To be licensed to practice acupuncture by the board, a person shall meet all of the following requirements:
	  a.   	 Fulfill all the application requirements, as specified in 17.5(147,148E).
	  b.   	 Provide documented evidence of current active status as a diplomate in NCCAOM.
	  c.   	 Provide documented evidence of successful completion of an acupuncture degree program approved by the board or an apprenticeship or tutorial program approved by the board.
	  d.   	 Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the English language to understand and be understood by patients and board and committee members.
	 (1) 	 An applicant who passed the NCCAOM written and practical examination components in English may be presumed to have sufficient proficiency in English.
	 (2) 	 The board may, at the recommendation of the committee, choose any of the following examinations to test the English proficiency of any applicant: TOEFL, TOEIC, or TSE.
	  e.   	 Provide documented evidence of successful completion of a course in clean needle technique approved by the NCCAOM.
	 17.4(5) Eligibility time limits. Registrants have a limited time in which to become licensees.
	  a.   	 Current registrants shall submit a completed application showing compliance with these eligibility requirements within 60 days of receiving the application by certified mail in order to continue practicing. A current registrant who fails to submit an application for licensure in this period shall cease practice by October 31, 2000.
	 (1) 	 The board shall determine within 30 days of receiving an application for licensure if the current registrant meets the requirements in 17.4(147,148E) and 17.5(147,148E).
	 (2) 	 If the current registrant meets the requirements in 17.4(147,148E) and 17.5(147,148E), the board shall issue a license that will expire October 31, 2002, and the registration is no longer valid.
	 (3) 	 If the current registrant does not meet the requirements in 17.4(147,148E) and 17.5(147,148E), the board shall deny the license and shall invalidate the acupuncture registration. The individual may no longer practice acupuncture in Iowa after November 15, 2000.
	 (4) 	 Current registrants who do not apply in the 60-day period must discontinue practice until they submit an application and the board approves them for licensure.
	  b.   	 Former registrants shall be eligible for licensure if they submit a completed application showing compliance with 17.4(147,148E) and 17.5(147,148E) by July 1, 2001.
	 (1) 	 Former registrants shall not practice acupuncture until the board issues an acupuncture license.
	 (2) 	 The board shall determine within 30 days of receiving an application for licensure if the former registrant meets the requirements in 17.4(147,148E) and 17.5(147,148E). If so, the board shall issue the license to practice acupuncture.
	 (3) 	 If the former registrant does not meet the requirements in 17.4(147,148E) and 17.5(147,148E), the board shall deny the license.
	  c.   	 A registrant who does not qualify for licensure by July 1, 2001, shall meet the new requirements for licensure.
	 17.4(6) Waiver or variance prohibited. Provisions of this rule are not subject to waiver or variance pursuant to IAC 653—Chapter 3 or any other provision of law.