QuestionsQuestions (PITAHC)
The guidelines are issued to implement the PITAHC IRR on the National Certification of Acupuncturists and Accreditation of acupuncture training programs, centers and clinics pursuant to Rule VI (Promotion, Advocacy and Training of the IRR) of R.A. 8423. They prescribe procedures and standards for national certification and accreditation, support continuous service improvement, and strengthen accountability in traditional and alternative health care.
They apply to: (1) accreditation of acupuncture training programs, (2) training centers for acupuncture, (3) accreditation of acupuncture clinics, and (4) national certification of acupuncturists.
National Certification is the process of issuing certificates (requiring education and testing) that assures competency of practitioners and trainers, administered by PITAHC and other PITAHC-accredited institutions. National Accreditation is the process of issuing certificates to training programs, centers and clinics.
For non-medical acupuncturists, competencies not included (and requiring other additional qualifications) include: biomedicine diagnosis, correlating laboratory findings, prescribing drugs, analyzing laboratory tests for acupuncture-related treatment, performing new/advanced acupuncture methods (e.g., laser/intracutaneous/cosmetic), and conducting clinical/experimental acupuncture-related research activities.
For medical acupuncturists, the competency standards exclude at least: performing new/advanced acupuncture treatment methods (e.g., laser, intracutaneous, cosmetic) and conducting clinical/experimental acupuncture-related research activities—both requiring additional qualifications/certification for practice.
They must register their course modules based on the PITAHC Competency Standard, ensuring quality of programs and mandatory compliance with minimum standards for traditional and alternative health care courses, including those by public and private institutions.
The application may be filed at PITAHC, where the acupuncture training programs are evaluated and the National Certification Assessment is conducted.
Notably: (1) one well ventilated and lighted classroom for at least 20 persons with audio/visual equipment, (2) a prototype assessment/examination room with instruments (e.g., stethoscope, BP cuff, thermometer, needles, moxa, cups, sterilization equipment), (3) at least one acupuncture clinic treatment room prototype accommodating at least 10 students, (4) auxiliary rooms (comfort/dressing/waiting/admin office), (5) a library with relevant books and AV materials, (6) training materials/equipment/accessories based on standards, and (7) original copies of PITAHC Competency Standards and Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
The center must have a regular full-time training officer who must at least be a college graduate. Academic and skills trainers must have passed the PITAHC Training of Trainers Competency Assessment.
Key submissions include: certified copy of Articles/Partnership registration (or DTI registration), updated personnel list, municipal/city permits, proof of ownership or lease, list of training equipment, fire safety inspection certificates, list of training programs, valid health certificates of employees, accomplished application form, and other documents as required. Fees: regular acupuncture training centers—P1,000 application fee; community-based acupuncture training centers—P300 application fee (as stated in Article 10).
For a newly accredited training center, validity is one (1) year from date of issue. Renewal thereafter is for three (3) years, subject to suspension/cancellation for cause.
Cancellation is grounded on: (a) falsification of documents, and (b) failure to maintain the standards and requirements for accreditation as prescribed in the guidelines.
Acupuncturists in a clinic must be PITAHC Certified Acupuncturists (CA) or PITAHC Certified Medical Acupuncturists (CMA). A PITAHC Certified Associate Acupuncturist (CAA) or Certified Associate Medical Acupuncturist (CAMA) must be under supervision of a CA or CMA.
They include: ventilated and lighted treatment rooms with practice/medical equipment (e.g., electro-acupuncture machine, timers, sterilizers), clinic supplies (needles, cotton, alcohol), appropriately designed beds, communications equipment, acupuncture references, acupuncture meridian charts/models, patient clinical records based on acupuncture competency standards, and logbook of patient visits, plus administrative equipment/materials. Also required is a prototype assessment/examination room and auxiliary rooms (comfort/dressing/waiting/admin).
Validity is three (3) years thereafter, subject to suspension or cancellation for cause. Renewal must be on or before the expiration date.
PITAHC Director-General invites active practitioners to form the committee. It includes the PITAHC Director-General as ex-officio chairperson, PITAHC division chiefs as permanent representatives, and appointed acupuncturist representatives from government, private sector, training centers/schools/clinics, and CBHP. The committee develops assessments, issues training policies, accredit programs/centers/clinics, administer national certification assessments, certify practitioners, and can revoke certifications/accreditations, among other functions.
Candidates must be (1) a licensed physician of good moral character, and (2) a graduate of not less than 200 hours limited training in acupuncture for physicians, including specified components (Basic Principles and Theories, supervised clinical practice), and must have properly managed at least 30 different patterns of disharmony within a one and a half year period as CAMA.
Results are only “pass” or “fail,” and they are published at the bulletin board or publication of PITAHC.
PITAHC grants a certificate to practice acupuncture to a resident Filipino applicant who has been in acupuncture practice for at least 3 years in the Philippines at the time of passage of the guidelines, and who presents evidence satisfactory to the Accreditation Committee (no later than 3 years upon effectivity) of successful completion of a PITAHC-approved acupuncture training program.
The only stated ground is violation of the PITAHC Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for Acupuncture.