Approval & Accreditation
Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM)
University of East West Medicine (UEWM) and its following programs are accredited by the
Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM):
- Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese herbal medicine specialization (offered in English and Mandarin)
The program listed above may offer courses via distance education.
ACAHM does not accredit any programs at the undergraduate/bachelor level.
The Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine program (including completion track) offered by UEWM is approved to begin enrolling students but is not accredited by ACAHM. This program is eligible for ACAHM accreditation, and UEWM is currently in the process of seeking ACAHM accreditation for the program. However, UEWM can provide no assurance that accreditation will be granted by ACAHM. Graduates of an unaccredited program are not considered to have graduated from an ACAHM-accredited program and may not rely on ACAHM accreditation for professional licensure or other purposes.
Accreditation status and notes may be viewed on the ACAHM Directory.
ACAHM is recognized by the United States Department of Education as the specialized accreditation agency for institutions/programs preparing acupuncture practitioners. ACAHM is located at 500 Lake Street, Suite 204, Excelsior, Minnesota 55331; phone 952/212-2434; https://acahm.org
Public Disclosure Statement Effective as of 5 May 2025
The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE)
University of East-West Medicine (UEWM) confers a Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization degree. UEWM operates under BPPE Institution Code 4306581 and remains fully compliant with California Education Code standards by submitting required annual reports and maintaining regular institutional reviews. University of East-West Medicine is a private institution approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. The approval to operate means compliance with state standards as set forth in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (as amended) and Division 7.5 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations
California Acupuncture Board (CAB)
In California, a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) is an independent primary care practitioner whose scope of practice includes acupuncture, electroacupuncture, Asian massage, acupressure, moxibustion, cupping, breathing techniques, exercise, heat, cold, magnets, nutrition, diet, herbs, plant, animal, and mineral products, and dietary supplements to promote, maintain, and restore health, pursuant to California Business and Professions Code Section 4937.
The California Acupuncture Board approves University of East-West Medicine to offer the Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (MAcCHM) program and the Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (DAcCHM) program. Graduates of UEWM’s MAcCHM program are eligible to apply to sit for the California Acupuncture Licensing Examination, subject to the requirements and eligibility determination of the California Acupuncture Board.
The California Acupuncture Board is located at 1747 N. Market Blvd., Suite 180, Sacramento, CA 95834. Phone: 916-515-5200. Fax: 916-928-2204.
Licensure Outside California
Licensure to practice acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine is regulated by individual states and jurisdictions within the United States. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Other countries may also have different education, licensure, registration, or certification requirements.
UEWM’s MAcCHM program is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure in California. UEWM has not determined whether the MAcCHM or DAcCHM programs meet licensure requirements in other states, jurisdictions, or countries. Applicants and students who intend to practice outside California are responsible for reviewing the licensure requirements of the state, jurisdiction, or country in which they intend to practice before enrolling in a UEWM program.
National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM)
The National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM) — formerly the NCCAOM — establishes, assesses, and promotes recognized standards of competence and safety in acupuncture and herbal medicine for public protection. Because NCBAHM examinations are utilized by numerous state agencies as a core licensing requirement, graduates of the University of East-West Medicine (UEWM) are fully eligible to sit for these national certification exams. Furthermore, UEWM is an approved provider of NCBAHM Professional Development Activities (PDA), allowing practitioners to earn required continuing education units through the university.
Federal Student Aid
University of East-West Medicine (UEWM) is certified by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in federal funding authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA). As an approved Federal Student Aid (FSA) institution, UEWM administers Direct Unsubsidized Loans for eligible students enrolled in the Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (MAcCHM) program. Federal Student Aid is strictly awarded to applicants who meet all general and program-specific federal eligibility criteria.
Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
University of East-West Medicine (UEWM) is certified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll nonimmigrant students. UEWM’s Designated School Officials (DSOs) are authorized to issue Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, to qualified applicants who have been admitted to the Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (MAcCHM) program and who meet all applicable federal requirements.
The issuance of a Form I-20 does not guarantee the approval of an F-1 student visa or admission to the United States. Visa issuance is determined by the U.S. Department of State, and admission to the United States is determined by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in accordance with applicable federal laws and regulations.
International applicants are responsible for maintaining their nonimmigrant student status and complying with all applicable federal immigration laws and SEVP regulations throughout their period of study at UEWM.
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