The Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners convenes three times a year and consists of nine members appointed by the Governor for six-year staggered terms not requiring Senate confirmation. The presiding officer of the Board is also appointed by the Governor. The Board consists of the following:
- Four acupuncturists with at least five years in the practice of acupuncture in Texas and are not licensed in this state as physicians;
- Two physicians who are licensed in Texas and are experienced in the practice of acupuncture; and
- Three members of the public who are not licensed or trained in a health care profession.
Statutorily mandated activities of the Board include:
- Regulating acupuncturists in Texas through registration;
- Determining acupuncturists’ eligibility for licensure; conducting investigations based on complaints filed against acupuncturists to determine if a licensee is in violation the Texas Occupations Code (Chapter 205) and/or the Board's rules; and
- Exercising the authority to cancel, revoke, restrict, suspend or otherwise limit the license of any acupuncturist upon proof of violation.
Mission
The Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners’ mission is to protect and enhance the public's health, safety, and welfare by establishing and maintaining standards of excellence used in regulating the practice of acupuncture and ensuring quality health care for the citizens of Texas through licensure, discipline, and education.
History
In 1993, the 73rd Texas Legislature amended the Medical Practice Act to create a Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners. The legislators found that the "review and establishment of statewide standards for the training, education and discipline of persons performing acupuncture are in the public interest…." The statute mandates that the medical board provide administrative and clerical assistance as necessary. In addition, the medical board is responsible for final approval of the issuance of licenses, disciplinary actions, and the promulgation of rules.
The Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners consists of nine members appointed by the Governor for six-year staggered terms not requiring Senate confirmation. The presiding officer of the Board is also appointed by the Governor. The board consists of the following: four acupuncturists with at least five years in the practice of acupuncture in Texas and are not licensed in this state as physicians; two physicians who are licensed in Texas and are experienced in the practice of acupuncture; three members of the public who are not licensed or trained in a health care profession.
An Acupuncturist is an individual who is licensed to practice acupuncture. The practice of acupuncture is the nonsurgical, nonincisive insertion of an acupuncture needle and the application of moxibustion to specific areas of the human body as a primary mode of therapy to treat and mitigate a human condition, including evaluation and assessment of the condition; and the administration of thermal or electrical treatments or the recommendation of dietary guidelines, energy flow exercise, or dietary or herbal supplements in conjunction with the treatment.
Donna S. Guthery of Bellaire is the Presiding Officer of the Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners. Guthery is a licensed acupuncturist, herbalist and family nurse practitioner in the State of Texas. She graduated from the American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Houston, Texas with a Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine, and received a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Academy of Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture in Austin. She also trained at Zhejiang College of TCM in gynecology, rheumatology and internal medicine and at The Institute of Classical Five Element Acupuncture.
Ms. Guthery has two master’s degrees in nursing, one in critical care and one as a family nurse practitioner. She has over 35 years of western medicine experience at various academic institutions in the Texas Medical Center. These include: Leukemia Service, Neurosurgery and Medical Breast Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Pediatric Cardiology at Texas Children’s Hospital. She has also been an Assistant Professor at UTMB Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program.
Grant E. Weidler of Spring is an acupuncturist and owner of Magnolia Crossing Acupuncture. He is a member of the American Botanical Council and a Clinical Practice Affiliate of The American Academy of Pain Management. Additionally, he is a member of Texas Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Weidler received a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technological University and a Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from The American College of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine.
Sheri J. Davidson of Houston is an acupuncturist, health coach, and owner of Element5 Acupuncture Wellness. She is a member of the Texas Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Business Networking International, Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and the Women’s Health Network of the Texas Medical Center Committee. Additionally, she is a volunteer for Athletes with Disabilities. Davidson received a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from the University of Houston, a Master of Arts in Oriental Medicine from the Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin, and Integrative Health Coach Certification from Duke Integrative Medicine.
Elisabeth Lee Carlson of Garland is an acupuncturist and owner of Southwest Acupuncture Clinic. She is a member of the Texas Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Carlson received a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Biology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a Master of Science in Acupuncture from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, Chicago, and a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, San Diego.
Maria M. Garcia of Plano, is a school crossing guard for the City of Plano. She previously served on the Plano ISD School Health Advisory Committee. Garcia received an Associate in Arts of Criminal Justice from Ontario Community College and an Associate in Arts of Science from the High-Tech Institute.
Samantha A. Gonzalez of San Antonio, is an Associate Attorney at Hoblit Darling Ralls Hernandez & Hudlow LLP. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Texas Association of Defense Attorneys. Gonzalez received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Baylor University and a Juris Doctor degree from Louisiana State University Law Center.
Ahmed Sheikh of Frisco is the program director at Texoma Medical Center Family Medicine Residency. He is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Texas Academy of Family Physicians. Sheikh received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology from the State University of New York College at Geneseo, and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Deborah J. Weems of Burnet, is the vice president of product for Speak Retail Group, LLC. She is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and member of the Texas Association of Mediators and the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association. Previously, she served as president of the Mid-South Independent Booksellers Association and an advisory board member of the Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center. Weems received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution and Mediation from Abilene Christian University.
Ray Ximenes of Spicewood, is a consultant at Balcones Pain Consultants. He is past president and a member of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture and the Austin Chapter of the Texas Pain Society. Additionally, he is a member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, and the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Ximenes received a Bachelor of Arts in Zoology from The University of Texas at Austin and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Texas Medical School, Houston.
Discipline and Ethics Committee
This committee is responsible for drafting and reviewing disciplinary rules and ethics guidelines for acupuncturists. It oversees the disciplinary process and provides guidance to the acupuncture board and staff. The committee evaluates specific cases, making recommendations on their resolution, and has the authority to approve, modify, or reject staff recommendations regarding disciplinary actions. Additionally, it approves the dismissal of complaints and closure of investigations, and advises the board on policies, priorities, and budget matters related to discipline.
Education Committee
This committee drafts and recommends rules on educational, training, tutorial, and continuing education requirements for acupuncture licensure and renewal in Texas. This Committee also advises the Acupuncture Board on implementation of these rules and works closely with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on degree standards and oversight of acupuncture schools.
Additional responsibilities include:
Communicating with Texas acupuncture schools and conducting periodic visits to engage students.
Reviewing foreign acupuncture programs, including curriculum and graduate performance.
Assisting with licensure eligibility decisions for graduates of foreign schools.
Advising the board on education-related matters as needed.
Licensure Committee
This committee drafts and reviews licensure rules and application forms, oversees the licensure and examination processes, and makes related recommendations to the acupuncture board. It also reviews applications with eligibility concerns and advises the board on those cases, including examination approval and administration.