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Learn from the experts
Learn from the experts
Five Branches University and its following programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM):
(1) Master of Acupuncture (offered in English)
(2) Master of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (offered in English and Mandarin) [formerly named Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine]
(3) Doctor of Acupuncture (offered in English and Mandarin)
(4) Doctor of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (offered in English and Mandarin) [formerly named Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine]
(5) Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (offered in English and Mandarin)
The program(s) listed above may offer courses via distance education.
ACAHM does not accredit any programs at the undergraduate/bachelor level.
Accreditation status and notes may be viewed on the ACAHM Directory.
ACAHM is recognized by the United States Department of Education as the specialized accreditation agency for institutions/programs
preparing acupuncture practitioners. ACAHM is located at
500 Lake Street, Suite 204,
Excelsior, Minnesota 55331
phone 952 212-2434
https://acahm.org
Public Disclosure Statement Effective as of 13 August 2025.
Five Branches University is a private institution recognized, approved by, or is a member of the following national and state associations:
Five Branches University is a private institution approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Approval to operate means the institution is compliant with the standards contained in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (as amended) and Division 7.5 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
Five Branches University offers several programs leading to professional licensure or certification within the state of California. The following acupuncture and/or Chinese Medicine programs may lead to a professional license or certification that is required for employment:
| Program | Licensure |
| Master of Acupuncture (MAc) | n/a |
| Doctor of Acupuncture (DAc) | n/a |
| Master of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (MAcHM) | Yes |
| Doctor of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (DAcHM) | Yes |
| DAc/DAcHM Completion Track (Bridge program) | n/a |
| Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) | n/a |
Please note the state approval is from the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE)
Acupuncture/Chinese Herbal Medicine Licensure: Qualified graduates of the acupuncture programs that include a Chinese herbal medicine specialization at both Santa Cruz and San Jose campuses may apply to take the California Acupuncture Licensing Examination (CALE). Only graduates from schools approved by the California Acupuncture Board are allowed to sit for this exam. To obtain the California acupuncture licensing exam application, please contact the:
California Acupuncture Board
1625 N Market Blvd., Suite N-219
Sacramento, CA 95834
916-515-5200
https://www.acupuncture.ca.gov/.
Eligible Five Branches University DAc, DAcHM, MAc and MAcHM students may apply to take the following exams of the National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM): Acupuncture with point location, Foundations of Oriental Medicine, and Biomedicine. Additionally, DAcHM and MAcHM students are eligible to take the Chinese Herbology section of the NCBAHM exam and are eligible for Oriental Medicine and Chinese Herbology certification. The NCBAHM acupuncture exam is used by many states outside California, as a part of their licensing requirements. Specific information about state licensure requirements can be obtained at https://www.ncbahm.org/certification/nccaom-certification-eligibility.
To obtain the NCBAHM board exam applications, please contact the:
NCBAHM
1199 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 220
Alexandria, VA 22314
NCBAHM
Licensing and certifying agencies or employers may perform background checks to determine eligibility to become licensed or employed. Applicants who have a conviction should check the regulations of the states in which they want to become licensed to consider their eligibility. Therefore, it is impossible for any institution to guarantee admission to, eligibility for, or passage of any licensing exam required by any state or national licensing or testing board. The date of graduation may affect a student’s eligibility date to sit for required exams. Students must obtain and submit their own applications to sit for any state or national exam and request in writing that Five Branches University sends academic documentation to the relevant agencies.
Relocation: States, districts and territories have varying rules, requirements and regulations that govern education leading to professional licensure or certification. Should a student relocate during the course of a program to another state, district or territory, it may negatively impact the student’s ability to remain in the program, meet the state licensure requirements, and/or continue to receive financial aid funding. Prior to considering any state relocation, it is very important that you contact your program officials to discuss authorization and licensure eligibility requirements.
| Program | Curriculum Meets State Academic Requirements | Additional State Requirements or Training for Licensure |
|---|---|---|
| DAcHM / MAcHM (Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine) | CA, AK, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DE, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NY, NC, ND, NM, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, and DC. | |
| DAc / MAc (Acupuncture Only) | AZ, CO, CT, DE, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, and DC. | |
| DAcHM / DAc Bridge (Completion Track) | This track is intended for individuals who have already completed MAc/MAcHM or equivalent. | This track is not related to obtaining licensure. |