License & Certification
Programs
Licensing & Certification
New York College of Health Professions prepares graduates for professional licensure and national certification across all three of its degree programs. The information below outlines the licensing pathways and examination requirements for Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, and Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization graduates.
Massage Therapy Licensure
Massage therapy has been a licensed profession in the State of New York since 1968. Article 155 of the New York State Education Law defines the profession and its scope of practice. Licensed massage therapists may treat patients without first obtaining a medical referral.
Graduates of the NYCHP Massage Therapy program (AOS, 72 credits) are eligible to sit for both the New York State Massage Therapy Licensing Examination and the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) for licensure in other states. The NYCHP curriculum exceeds the current 1,000-hour minimum education requirement established by New York State.
New York State Licensure Requirements
To qualify for a massage therapy license in New York State, an applicant must:
• Complete and file an application with the New York State Education Department
• Be a high school graduate or hold equivalent education
• Be a graduate of a New York State registered Massage Therapy program or hold equivalent education
• Pass a written examination satisfactory to the Board and in accordance with the Commissioner's regulations
• Be a United States citizen or alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence (USCIS I-551 Status)
• Be of good moral character as determined by the Department
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Hold current American Red Cross or American Heart Association certification in CPR and First Aid
• Pay a fee of $108 to NYSED for licensure and first registration
• Complete 36 hours of mandatory continuing education every three years for license re-registration
MBLEx — Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination
The MBLEx is administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and is accepted for licensure in states across the country. NYCHP graduates are eligible to sit for the MBLEx, which provides a nationally recognized standard of entry-level competence. The examination fee is $265, payable directly to FSMTB.
Licensure requirements vary by state. Graduates planning to practice outside of New York should verify the specific requirements of the state(s) in which they intend to practice.
Acupuncture Licensure
Acupuncture has been a licensed profession in the State of New York since 1991. Article 160 of the New York State Education Law defines the profession and scope of practice. Licensed acupuncturists are entry-level providers who may treat patients without first obtaining a medical referral. The law permits licensed acupuncturists to treat patients for diseases, disorders, and dysfunctions of the body for the purpose of achieving a therapeutic or prophylactic effect.
Graduates of both the Acupuncture (BPS/MS, 145 credits) and Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (BPS/MS, 185 credits) programs are eligible to sit for the required New York State licensing examinations.
New York State Licensure Requirements
To qualify for an acupuncture license in New York State, an applicant must:
• Complete and file an application with the New York State Education Department
• Provide evidence of satisfactory completion of a course of formal study registered by NYSED or its substantial equivalent
• Have experience in accordance with the Commissioner's regulations
• Pass examination(s) satisfactory to the New York State Board (i.e., NCBAHM examinations)
• Pass the Clean Needle Technique (CNT) Examination (required by the College prior to Clinical Internship)
• Be at least 21 years of age
• Be of good moral character as determined by the New York State Education Department
• Have earned nine college credits in the biosciences (automatically satisfied by completing the NYCHP BPS/MS degree)
• Hold current American Red Cross or American Heart Association certification in CPR and First Aid
• Pay a fee of $788 to NYSED for licensure and first registration
National Certification — NCBAHM
Name Change Notice
Effective January 2, 2026, the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) officially became the National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM). All certifications, credentials, and exam results issued under the NCCAOM remain valid under NCBAHM. The organization's mission, certification standards, and examinations are unchanged.
The NCBAHM was established by the profession to promote nationally recognized standards in acupuncture and herbal medicine and to ensure public safety. NCBAHM certification represents professional recognition and is required for licensure in 46 states plus the District of Columbia. NCBAHM certification does not itself authorize or license an individual to practice acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine — licensure and registration are state regulatory functions.
Graduates of New York College of Health Professions are eligible to sit for the following NCBAHM certification examinations:
Acupuncture Program (BPS/MS, 145 credits) graduates are qualified for:
• Foundations of Oriental Medicine
• Acupuncture with Point Locations
• Biomedicine
Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (BPS/MS, 185 credits) graduates are additionally qualified for:
• Chinese Herbology
Clean Needle Technique (CNT) Examination
The Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (CCAHM) administers the Clean Needle Technique (CNT) Examination, which is required for licensure in many states, including New York. NYCHP requires students to pass the CNT exam during the second year of the acupuncture and herbal medicine programs as a prerequisite for entrance into the teaching clinics.
State Licensure Disclosure
Completion of the current Acupuncture and/or Chinese Herbal Medicine program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification needed for employment as detailed in the Disclosure of State Requirement for Acupuncture License.
California licensure may require additional training. For details, see the California Acupuncture Board's educational requirements.
For details on NCBAHM examinations and state-by-state licensure requirements, visit the NCBAHM website.
Continuing Education & Review Courses
New York College of Health Professions offers review courses for the NCBAHM examinations in acupuncture and Chinese herbology, the Clean Needle Technique examination, and the New York State Massage Therapy Licensing Examination through its Continuing Education Department. NYCHP is an approved provider of continuing education by NCBAHM, the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), and the New York State Education Department.
Disclosures & Regulatory Information
Institutional Accreditation
New York College of Health Professions is chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York. All programs are registered with the New York State Education Department (NYSED). The College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Programmatic Accreditation
The Acupuncture (MS) and Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (MS) programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM). ACAHM is recognized by the United States Department of Education as the specialized accreditation agency for institutions and programs preparing acupuncture practitioners.
NCBAHM Certification Disclosure
NCBAHM certification represents professional recognition and is required for acupuncture licensure in 46 states plus the District of Columbia. NCBAHM certification does not itself authorize or license an individual to practice acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine. Licensure and registration are state regulatory functions. Graduates should verify the specific licensure requirements of the state(s) in which they intend to practice.
Massage Therapy Multi-State Licensure Notice
Licensure requirements for massage therapy vary by state. Some states may not accept all programs or may have additional requirements. Graduates planning to practice outside of New York should verify the individual requirements of the state(s) in which they intend to practice.
| Organization | Address | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| NYSED — Massage Therapy | Office of the Professions 89 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12234 |
(518) 474-3817 ext. 270 opunit3@nysed.gov op.nysed.gov |
| NYSED — Acupuncture | Office of the Professions 89 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12234 |
(518) 474-3817 ext. 260 opunit2@nysed.gov op.nysed.gov |
| NCBAHM (formerly NCCAOM) |
Alexandria, VA | (888) 381-1140 info@ncbahm.org ncbahm.org |
| ACAHM | 500 Lake Street, Suite 204 Excelsior, MN 55331 |
(952) 212-2434 info@acahm.org acahm.org |
| CCAHM | Centennial, CO | ccahm.org |
| FSMTB (MBLEx) |
7300 College Blvd, Suite 650 Overland Park, KS 66210 |
(913) 681-0380 mblex@fsmtb.org fsmtb.org |
| NECHE | 3 Burlington Woods #100 Burlington, MA 01803 |
(855) 886-3272 info@neche.org neche.org |
Content sourced from the 2023–2026 NYCHP Catalog (March 2026 update) and verified against current NYSED, NCBAHM, ACAHM, CCAHM, and FSMTB records. Fees and requirements are subject to change; contact the relevant agency for the most current information.