Studying acupuncture opens your horizons
The BAAB exists to promote high standards of education and training for acupuncturists who practise traditional East Asian medicine. We work closely with the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) which is the main professional body representing acupuncturists.
The BAAB was established in 1990 by the acupuncture professional associations and the colleges of acupuncture. We adopted a system of accreditation (course approval) developed in the USA and have since added to this and undertaken major revisions.
Where to study
Courses in acupuncture may or may not be accredited by the BAAB. At the moment, acupuncture is regulated only by the professional associations, not regulated by law. The BAAB works with the lead acupuncture body the British Acupuncture Council – and is held in high regard by the Department of Health.
A BAAB accredited course will meet certain standards both in terms of its acupuncture content and practice, and in its educational standards. Graduates of fully accredited courses are eligible to join the BAcC directly, rather than go through the individual profiling route to BAcC membership.
How to accredit a course
The BAAB welcomes contact both from independent colleges and universities who wish to develop a course for accreditation with the Board and is happy to work with universities in joint validation and accreditation events.
The Board’s Accreditation Handbook is the guide to course developers, Board and Accreditation Committee members, officers and accreditation visitors on the standards expected and the processes involved. More here
Educational standards in acupuncture
An important question for any potential acupuncture patient is “How do I know my acupuncturist is safe and competent?” Statutory Regulation will help with this – but is not yet with us, and in any case needs to be backed up with systems specifying the standards that acupuncturists have to meet to qualify for state registration. More here