How can I become an acupuncturist? What training and qualifications are there?

Trainings

There are two professional groups that are allowed to work with acupuncture: Doctors and naturopaths TCM (traditional Chinese medicine).

Acupuncture for doctors

If you have completed a medical degree, are practicing as a doctor and would like to train in acupuncture, you can obtain further information from the Swiss Medical Association for Acupuncture:https://www.akupunktur-tcm.ch/

Acupuncture for naturopaths

If you do not have any medical training, you can train in TCM. This training is available in two directions: with a focus on Chinese medicinal therapy and with a focus on acupuncture and/or Tuina

TCM acupuncture training is offered by private schools and concludes with the school's own diplomas. The conditions for awarding these diplomas are determined individually by the schools. Admission to the courses generally requires that the student is of legal age and has a professional qualification or a high school diploma. The curricula are generally based on the requirements for the higher professional examination for naturopaths in TCM acupuncture/Tuina and comprise 6 modules (see "Subject matter, knowledge" in this tip box).

Degrees, recognition and admission

• ADiploma from the schoolenables registration in the EMR (Erfahrungsmedizinisches Register der Krankenkassen) if the course fulfills the following conditions:
• TCM specialist training with at least 1,200 learning hours, of which
  • at least 600 learning hours of conventional medical basics
  • at least 300 hours of learning TCM basics
  • at least 300 hours of acupuncture or Tuina training
• TheIndustry certificate of the OdA Alternative Medicinein TCM Acupuncture/Tuina is awarded to those who have completed all 6 modules at accredited schools. It entitles the holder to commence professional practice under mentorship.
• TheFederal diploma in naturopathy, specializing in TCM acupuncture/Tuinais the highest qualification in this course and is acquired via the higher professional examination. The prerequisites for admission to the examination are
  • Minimum age 25
  • Secondary level II qualification (apprenticeship certificate or school-leaving certificate)
  • Module completions M1-M6 of the OdA AM sector certificate
  • At least 2 years of professional experience as a TCM therapist in acupuncture/tuina under mentorship with at least 50% workload in the last 2 years or at least 30% workload in the last 3 years
  • Submission of a case study
  • No entry in the central criminal record that is incompatible with therapeutic activity.

You can find more information about the higher specialist examination in naturopathy in the self-test"Naturopathic practitioner (HFP)" 

Courses "Acupuncture (Cert.)"