Comparing outcomes from the two most recognized acupuncturist workforce surveys.

Objective: To determine the informational consistency produced by the two most recent independent surveys and draw a conclusion whether the data would be sufficient for the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis and Bureau of Labor and Statistics consideration.

Methods: This paper compares workforce outcomes collected by the two most prominent acupuncture entities that have produced the most useful acupuncturist workforce data (California Acupuncture Board 2015 Occupational Analysis and the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine® 2013 Job Analysis) at national and state levels.

Results: Findings based upon the most compatible survey questions showed the following: more than 70% of acupuncturists work fewer than 40 hours weekly; approximately 76% work in solo practice or in shared space with other acupuncturists; more than 70% of the national sample have been in practice 15 years or less; and median income is between $40 000 and $50 000.

Acupuncture practice acts: a profession's growing pains.

State legislation that authorizes any healthcare profession is known as the Practice Act. In order for a profession to establish a recognizable national presence and be integrated into mainstream medicine, all the state Practice Acts must evidence consistency. The extent to which state Practice Acts fail to exhibit consistency can inhibit the ability of the profession to grow and become successful.