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HF 1270

Licensing for practice of acupuncture and herbal medicine modified, and terminology changed.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dawn Gillman and 6 co-sponsors

Expands Minnesota acupuncture and herbal medicine scope, enabling broader treatments, diagnostics, and primary-care integration with updated CE, records, and oversight.

Referred to Health and Human Services
#healthandhealthdepartment #licenses #occupationsandprofessions
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Bill Summary · HF 1270

Summary of HF 1270 (2025-2026) – Minnesota: Licensing for Practice of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Modified

Purpose and intent
- HF 1270 seeks to modify the licensing framework for the practice of acupuncture and herbal medicine in Minnesota. It reorganizes definitions, clarifies scope of practice, expands certain terminology, updates continuing education requirements, and revises practitioner standards and patient records. A repealer is included to remove an older definition of Oriental medicine.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions and scope

    • Adds a new subdivision defining “Acupuncture” to encompass both modern and traditional diagnostic and treatment methods, including dry needling, trigger point therapy, intramuscular therapy, auricular detox, and related techniques used for pain management and symptom modification.
    • Redefines “Acupuncture and herbal medicine practice” as a comprehensive primary health care system based on Oriental medical theory, incorporating acupuncture, herbal therapies, dietary guidelines, mind-body techniques, and related modalities.
    • Sets a standardized definition for “Acupuncture needle” and confirms materials compatible with sterilization standards (CDC guidelines).

  • Scope of practice (Section 4)

    • The scope explicitly includes: diagnosis and treatment using Oriental medical principles; insertion of sterile acupuncture needles; stimulation methods (e.g., electrical, heat); cupping; dermal friction; acupressure; herbal therapies; dietary counseling; breathing techniques; and Oriental massage.
    • Allows basic diagnostic testing, imaging, and laboratory work for treatment guidance, with obligations to refer patients to other providers if findings exceed the acupuncturist’s education or expertise.
    • Broadens permissible therapies to include various physical medicine modalities and energy-based tools for therapeutic purposes.

  • Professional standards and continuing education

    • Sec. 6 and Sec. 7 update continuing education standards: CE programs must be directly related to acupuncture, taught by qualified instructors with relevant expertise, last at least one contact hour, include written learning objectives, and maintain attendance records for four years.
    • CE topics may cover Oriental theory, acupuncture/herbal medicine techniques, Western sciences (anatomy, physiology, etc.), and medical terminology. Practice management courses are excluded.

  • Advisory council and board modifications

    • Updates the composition and requirements for the advisory council to the Board of Medical Practice for acupuncture, maintaining a mix of licensed acupuncturists, physicians with acupuncture practice, a chiropractor with NCCAOM certification, and a member of the public who has received acupuncture.

  • Patient care and records

    • Requires pre-treatment patient screening for previous examinations and informed consent, including practitioner qualifications and potential side effects.
    • Requires documentation of patient interviews, examinations, diagnoses, treatment details, and patient instructions.

  • Repeal and definitions

    • Repeals a 2024 definition of Oriental medicine as part of 147B.01, subdivision 18, and replaces it with the updated framework above.

Who is affected
- Licensed acupuncturists and practitioners of herbal medicine under Minnesota law.
- Medical boards overseeing acupuncture practice and continuing education.
- Patients receiving acupuncture and herbal medicine services; facilities offering these services.

Timeline and procedural notes
- Introduced in 2025, with committee consideration in Health Finance and Policy.
- As of the latest action, the bill was amended and placed on the General Register; second reading and potential floor action follow in subsequent sessions.

Impact considerations
- Enhanced clarity and integration of acupuncture/herbal medicine into primary care.
- Expanded practice modalities and diagnostic capabilities within the licensed scope.
- Strengthened CE requirements and standardized patient consent/recordkeeping.
- Potentially increased professional oversight and interdisciplinary collaboration through updated advisory council structure.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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