Acupuncturists or acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioners in the state of Washington shall provide to each patient prior to or at the time of the initial patient visit the qualifications and scope of practice form. The form must include:

(1) The acupuncturist's or acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioner's education. The degree obtained and the dates and locations of the didactic and clinical training.

(2) License information, including state license number and date of licensure.

(3) A statement that the practice of acupuncture or acupuncture and Eastern medicine in the state of Washington includes the following:

(a) Acupuncture, including the use of acupuncture needles or lancets to directly and indirectly stimulate acupuncture points and meridians;

(b) Use of electrical, mechanical, or magnetic devices to stimulate acupuncture points and meridians;

(d) Acupressure;

(e) Cupping;

(f) Dermal friction technique;

(g) Infrared;

(h) Sonopuncture;

(i) Laserpuncture;

(j) Point injection therapy is defined as meaning the subcutaneous, intramuscular and intradermal injection of substances consistent with the practice of acupuncture or Eastern medicine to stimulate acupuncture points, ashi points, trigger points and meridians.

(i) For the purposes of this section, point injection therapy includes trigger points as a subset of acupuncture points and ahshi points as recognized in the current practice of acupuncture and Eastern medicine.

(ii) Does not include injection of controlled substances contained in Scheduled I through V of the Uniform Controlled Substance Act, chapter 69.50 RCW or steroids as defined in RCW 69.41.300.

(iii) Substances are limited to:

(A) Saline;

(B) Sterile water;

(D) Minerals specifically manufactured for injection by means of hypodermic needles;

(E) Vitamins in liquid form specifically manufactured for injection by means of hypodermic needles; and

(F) Homeopathic and nutritional substances specifically manufactured for injection by means of hypodermic needles.

(k) Dietary advice and health education based on acupuncture or Eastern medical theory, including the recommendation and sale of herbs, vitamins, minerals, and dietary and nutritional supplements;

(l) Breathing, relaxation, and Eastern exercise techniques;

(m) Qi gong;

(n) Eastern massage and Tui na (which is a method of Eastern bodywork); and

(o) Superficial heat and cold therapies.

(4) A statement that side effects of the treatments listed above may include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Pain following treatment;

(b) Minor bruising;

(d) Needle sickness; and

(e) Broken needle.

(5) A statement that patients must inform the acupuncturist or acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioner if they have a severe bleeding disorder or pacemaker prior to any treatment.

PDFWAC 246-803-300

Patient notification of qualifications and scope of practice.