Kristy Hanley, L.Ac., Dipl.Ac., is board certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), the national body that validates competency in acupuncture and herbal medicine. As founder and owner of Resilient Health Acupuncture & Wellness (RHA), she also leads a team of board-certified practitioners.
“Every practitioner at RHA is board certified,” Kristy says. “It’s a requirement. We may be the only acupuncture clinic in Maryland where the entire staff is certified. So no matter who you see, they’ve met that national standard.”
Why board certification matters
Certification signals a deeper commitment to training and professional development. It also reassures patients that the person performing treatment has met a national benchmark for competence, not just state minimums.
Before the board: Kristy’s path
Acupuncture wasn’t on Kristy’s radar until her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis. Another patient recommended acupuncture for anxiety and sleep, and within a few sessions her mother felt better. Kristy, then a supervisor at Jenny Craig, found a new calling and enrolled at The Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine, where faculty emphasized board certification.
The early 2000s: setting a higher bar
“In 2004, acupuncture felt like the wild, wild West,” Kristy says. “Across the U.S., there wasn’t much regulation or a clear minimum standard.” At her school, things were different. “After two years of study, our entire class sat for the NCCAOM national boards. Every single one of us passed.” Board certification even preceded licensure and graduation. By the time they finished, they held master’s degrees and national board certifications.
What NCCAOM certification means
The NCCAOM offers several designations:
- Diplomate of Acupuncture (Dipl.Ac.)
- Diplomate of Chinese Herbology (Dipl.C.H.)
- Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (Dipl.O.M.), which combines both tracks
These designations are regarded as hallmarks of excellence in acupuncture and Asian medicine. Certification also requires ongoing education:
- Every four years, board-certified practitioners complete 60 professional development credits in core competencies and meet other requirements.
- CPR recertification every four years is also required and is separate from state licensure.
Regulations vary by state. Some, like Pennsylvania, require board certification before licensing. Maryland currently does not, but as of 2026, new Maryland licenses will require NCCAOM certification and a degree from an appropriately accredited school.
“More than a thousand acupuncturists practice in Maryland,” Kristy notes. “A check of the NCCAOM site suggests maybe 300 are nationally board certified. That’s important to know.”
Certification versus safety
“Acupuncture isn’t dangerous in and of itself,” Kristy says. “That’s part of why it’s such a great modality—few contraindications or risks. But wherever you go, you want someone who has shown the highest level of training. That’s what the Dipl.Ac. designation signals—beyond L.Ac. alone.”
Degrees are advancing as well. “You can earn a doctorate in acupuncture or Oriental medicine,” she adds. “But that doesn’t automatically mean you’ve taken the national boards.” Her advice: look for NCCAOM certification. “You might not know where someone went to school or what their doctorate focused on. But when you choose an NCCAOM-certified acupuncturist, you know they’re working at the highest nationally measured level.”
The bottom line
Board certification reflects commitment, competency, and continued learning. At Resilient Health Acupuncture & Wellness, you’ll see board-certified acupuncturists who prioritize clinical excellence and patient care.
Questions about credentials or treatment? Contact our team to learn more or schedule a visit.