Licensing in
Wisconsin
Wisconsin certifies acupuncturists through the Department of Safety and Professional Services rather than a board license. The statute requires a course of study and residency program meeting department rules, an approved exam, a fee and no disqualifying arrest or conviction record; reciprocity is open to 5-year practitioners or substantially equivalent states. Department rules and fees were not read.
At a glance
Start with the responsible authority.
- Regulatory authoritySource checked
- Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesWis. Stat. §451.04 ↗
Last checked October 10, 2026
01
Know which credential fits
License types
Acupuncturist certificate
Independent acupuncture practice
- Certificate requiredSource checked
- No one may practice acupuncture or use the title acupuncturist without a department certificate; the certificate must be posted conspicuously.Wis. Stat. §451.04(1), (3) ↗
- ExemptionsSource checked
- Holders of listed health professions' licenses who practice acupuncture within their own scope, supervised assistants, and supervised students or residents are exempt.Wis. Stat. §451.02 ↗
02
What to confirm
Getting your first license
- Statutory requirementsSource checked
- Application, the fee under §440.05(1), evidence of no arrest or conviction record (subject to fair-employment rules), a course of study and residency program meeting department rules, and an approved examination.Wis. Stat. §451.04(2) ↗
- ReciprocitySource checked
- A certificate from another state is accepted after at least 5 years of practice or substantially equivalent requirements.Wis. Stat. §451.08 ↗
- Department checklistNeeds review
- A search summary of a 2023 DSPS checklist mentions NCCAOM results, a clean needle course and a reciprocity affidavit; the checklist was not opened.Wis. Stat. §451.04 ↗Know this? Share an official source
- FeesSource checked
- The DSPS credential fee list shows $75 for the initial acupuncturist credential and $75 to renew, renewing by June 30 of odd-numbered years. A DSPS information sheet (#1715) still shows an older $55 initial fee; the current fee list controls.DSPS credential fees and renewal dates ↗
03
What to confirm
Herbal medicine
- Herbal medicine authorityWe haven’t confirmed this from an official source yet. If you know the statute, rule or board page that answers it, share it and we’ll check it.
- The statutory definition covers needles, moxibustion and secondary therapeutic techniques; herbs are not named.Know this? Share an official source
- Retail, compounding, and dispensingWe haven’t confirmed this from an official source yet. If you know the statute, rule or board page that answers it, share it and we’ll check it.
- Not confirmed yet. We only publish what an official source supports.Know this? Share an official source
04
What to confirm
Keeping the license active
- RenewalSource checked
- Renew on or before the department's renewal date under §440.08(2)(a) with the department-set fee.Wis. Stat. §451.04(4) ↗
- Continuing educationWe haven’t confirmed this from an official source yet. If you know the statute, rule or board page that answers it, share it and we’ll check it.
- Rules under Wis. Admin. Code ch. Acu were not located.Know this? Share an official source
05
What to confirm
Rules after you open
- Records, display, advertising, and telehealthWe haven’t confirmed this from an official source yet. If you know the statute, rule or board page that answers it, share it and we’ll check it.
- Not confirmed yet. We only publish what an official source supports.Know this? Share an official source
06
Go to the source
Official resources
- LawSource checked
- Wisconsin Statutes chapter 451, acupunctureOpen ↗
Community review
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