2016 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 12 - Professions and Occupations
Health Care
Article 29.5 - Acupuncturists
§ 12-29.5-105. Unlawful acts - exceptions - definition

(1) Nothing in this article shall interfere with, or be interpreted to interfere with or prevent, any other licensed health care professional from practicing within the scope of his or her practice, as defined in this title.

(1.5) (a) It is unlawful for any person to practice acupuncture without a valid and current license on file with the division of professions and occupations, unless the acupuncturist is practicing pursuant to section 12-36-106 (3) (l) or has met the requirements of subsection (2) of this section.

(b) It is unlawful for any person to:

(I) Engage in the practice of acupuncture without being licensed; or

(II) Use the title "licensed acupuncturist", "registered acupuncturist", or "diplomate of acupuncture", or use the designation "L.Ac.", "R.Ac.", or "Dipl. Ac.", unless such person is practicing pursuant to section 12-36-106 (3).

(2) Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, a person in training may practice acupuncture without a valid and current license issued by the division if such practice takes place in the course of a bona fide training program and the person performs all acupuncture acts and services under the direct, on-site supervision of a licensed acupuncturist, who is responsible for all such acts and services as though the licensed acupuncturist had personally performed them.

(3) (a) Notwithstanding any provision of this article to the contrary, a mental health care professional who is licensed pursuant to article 43 of this title and a certified addiction counselor III who is certified pursuant to article 43 of this title and who has provided documentation that he or she has been trained to perform auricular acudetox in compliance with paragraph (d) of this subsection (3) may perform auricular acudetox. The auricular acudetox must be performed under the mental health care professional's current scope of practice.

(b) A mental health professional performing auricular acudetox pursuant to this subsection (3) shall not use the title "acupuncturist" or otherwise claim to be a person qualified to perform acupuncture beyond the scope of this subsection (3).

(c) As used in this subsection (3) "auricular acudetox" means the subcutaneous insertion of sterile, disposable acupuncture needles in the following five consistent, predetermined bilateral locations:

(I) Sympathetic;

(II) Shen men;

(III) Kidney;

(IV) Liver; and

(V) Lung.

(d) In order to perform auricular acudetox pursuant to this subsection (3), a mental health care professional must successfully complete a training program in auricular acudetox for the treatment of alcoholism, substance abuse, or chemical dependency that meets or exceeds standards of training established by the national acupuncture detoxification association or another organization approved by the director.