This section provides information on acupuncturist options for retirement, inactive status, and cancellation by request.
The retired status exempts acupuncturists from the registration process, registration fee, and Continuing Education.
The following restrictions apply to acupuncturists whose licenses are on retired status:
- the license holder must not engage in the practice of acupuncture in Texas; and
- to be eligible for retired status, a license cannot be under investigation, under a Board order, or be otherwise restricted.
To return to practice from retired status, an acupuncturist must submit an application online for re-activation/re-licensure and meet all of the current requirements for licensure.
To request retired status, complete and return the retirement request form (link below) to the Board for approval before the expiration date of the current registration permit. Refunds of registration fees already paid cannot be made.
If an acupuncturist is ineligible for retired status, biennial registration, including the fee and continuing education, are required to keep the license current.
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An acupuncturist with a currently active license may decide to obtain an “inactive” registration status. Current regulations state that an acupuncturist license may remain on an inactive status for no longer than 3 years.
Please read the relevant board rule, Tex. Admin. Code, Sec. 184.19, regarding the inactive acupuncture licensure status.
Below is more detailed information on requesting the inactive status, what is required to maintain the inactive status, as well as the process for returning to active. Please review the entire process before submitting your request.
To be eligible for inactive status, the license holder must have a current registration permit and have a license in good standing.
To request a change to the Inactive status for a Texas Acupuncture license, complete and return the inactive request form (link below) to the Board for approval before the expiration date of the current license. Refunds of registration/renewal fees already paid cannot be made.
Because this form must be received by our office before the expiration date of the current license, completed and bearing original signatures, as well as bearing an original seal of notary public, it cannot be faxed back to our office.
Mailing Information:
Should you choose to send the completed, signed and notarized form to the Texas Medical Board via an overnight courier service, such as FedEx, DHL, or UPS, you will need to use the location address of:
Texas Medical Board
Attention: Registration
1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 9.200
Austin, TX 78701
Should you choose to send the completed, signed and notarized form to the TMB via the United States Post Office, you can use our mailing address.
Texas Medical Board
Attention: Registration
P.O. Box 2029
Austin, TX 78768
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An acupuncturist with an inactive license is excused from paying renewal fees on the license.
At this time renewal of an inactive acupuncturist license is not required.
To return to an active status, use the link below to submit an Acupuncture application for re-activation. Please note, this is the same application used for an initial Acupuncture license. When completing the application, be sure to include your existing Acupuncture license number.
Reactivate online – Acupuncturists – click here
Once your online application for re-activation has been received, you will be contacted by our licensure department regarding any additional documentation required.
As part of the re-activation process, you will need to:
- Provide current verifications from each state in which the you hold an acupuncturist license,
- Complete a fingerprint background check,
- Submit NPDB/HIPDB report,
- Submit professional evaluations from each employment held after the license was placed on inactive status, and
- Meet the "current clinical practice” requirement – which may be demonstrated by:
- Currently practicing acupuncture involving treatment of persons;
- Enrollment as a student in an acceptable acupuncture school; or
- Appointment as an active teaching faculty member in an acceptable approved acupuncture school.
Applicants who do not meet the clinical practice requirement may, at the discretion of the Board, be eligible for the reactivation of a license subject to conditions or restrictions.
Once the re-activation process has been completed, your existing license number will be re-activated, and you will be required to register the license within 90 days. You will be contacted with a registration form and instructions. You must complete registration and pay the fee within 90 days of the date your license is re-activated to avoid penalty fees.
Once your registration is complete, please allow 2 business days for processing. After that time, you will be able to log into your MyTMB account and view, save or print a copy of your active license. In addition, you will be able to use the same system to view, save or print a copy of your active license as needed.
If you have any questions, please contact the Registration Department.
Once a license is cancelled, the acupuncturist will no longer be able to practice in the state of Texas as an acupuncturist. In order to practice again in Texas following cancellation, an acupuncturist must file an application for re-licensure and meet all requirements for licensure in effect at that time.
To request cancellation of a license, complete and return the cancellation request form (link below) to the Board for approval before the expiration date of the current registration permit. Refunds of registration fees already paid cannot be made.
If you have any questions, please contact the Registration Department.
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Refunds of application/registration fees are available in very limited circumstances. These fees may be refunded in cases of administrative error by the TMB; applicants who withdraw their applications within 45 days of initial application, licensees who retire or request cancellation within 90 days of paying the fee, or on behalf of applicants/licensees who die within 90 days of paying the fee. A pro-rated refund may be requested for good cause by a spouse or personal representative of an applicant/licensee who has died more than 90 days after paying the application/registration fee.