How do I become trained in Acudetox?

FIRST, make sure you are eligible. We can only train individuals who are qualified by state law to provide 5-NP in their state of residence.

Utah Health Care Provider licensees, see the current qualifications below to determine if you are eligible for our upcoming trainings.
Health Care Provider licensed in Utah, contact your state licensing board to determine if you qualify (or see this summary to determine if you are eligible to provide the 5-NP in your state).

Current Process to Practice the 5 Needle Protocol (Auricular Acupuncture or Acudetox) for UTAH licensees:

Utah health care professionals--Are you actively licensed by DOPL in Utah with one of the accepted health care provider licenses* per HB 195 (2022)?

Utah Nursing, Mental Health and PA licenses are included.
Utah-Licensed Acupuncturists, Physicians, Naturopaths and Chiropractors are already able to provide acupuncture based on language in their practice acts.
*Eligible Utah licensees are MD, DO, Chiropractor, Naturopathic Physician, Licensed Acupuncturist, RN, APRN, LPN, PA, Psychologist, LCSW, CSW, LMFT, CMHC, SUDC, ASUDC. [Please note that Physical Therapists and Licensed Massage Therapists are not currently eligible in Utah.] Master Addiction Counselors and Associate Master Addiction Counselors will be eligible once those licenses are issued in Utah.
* UTAH language: (a) "Health care provider" means an individual who is licensed under:
- 32 (i) Subsection 58-31b-301(2)(a), (b), (d), or (e);
- 33 (ii) Chapter 60, Mental Health Professional Practice Act;
- 34 (iii) Chapter 61, Part 3, Licensing; or
- 35 (iv) Chapter 70a, Utah Physician Assistant Act.

SECOND, register for a training.

Utah licensees and others have 2 potential pathways (NADA ADS or POCA AAT) to receive a certificate to practice the 5-Needle Protocol (Auricular Acupuncture or Acudetox): [choose one pathway below]

PATHWAY 1: Complete NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) Acudetox training:
1. Find a NADA-approved training by searching on trainers near you.
2. [Please note that there are currently no NADA registered trainers in Utah.]
3. Follow NADA registration and procedures and pay associated fees.
4. Complete a NADA-approved training, practice sessions and all other requirements.
5. NADA will send you a certificate of completion as an Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist (ADS).

PATHWAY 2: Complete POCA (People’s Organization of Community Acupuncture) training:
1. FYI, the UtahAcudetox trainers are approved POCA trainers or trainers in training.
2. Join POCA at the AAT Trainee Level and obtain a POCA username. More info HERE.
3. Apply for a POCA AAT Training. Pay associated fees. You will need to enter your qualifying information, license number, etc as required by the training sponsor.
4. Complete a POCA-approved AAT Training, practice sessions and all other requirements.
5. Submit all required materials to POCA through the Trainee Portal.
6. POCA will send you a certificate of completion as a POCA Auricular Acu-Technician (AAT).
7. Questions? See the POCA AAT FAQs.

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After obtaining a NADA ADS or POCA AAT certificate, MD’s, DO’s, chiropractors, naturopaths and licensed acupuncturists can officially practice the 5 Needle Protocol (Auricular Acupuncture or Acudetox) under their license in Utah. No documentation needs to be sent to DOPL by Utah MD's, DO's, chiropractors, naturopaths or licensed acupuncturists.

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However, all other licensed Utah providers (RN, APRN, LPN, PA, Psychologist, LCSW, CSW, LMFT, CMHC, SUDC, ASUDC) must also:

Submit their NADA ADS Certificate or POCA AAT Certificate to the applicable licensing board at Utah DOPL. [Email to Larry Marx (lmarxATutah.gov or mail a hard copy to Larry Marx, Bureau Manager, Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, 160 E 300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84114 or PO Box 146741, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-6741. Write your Utah License Number on the copy.].
Utah DOPL will add the 5 Needle Protocol (Auricular Acupuncture or Acudetox) certificate to the DOPL file.
Then and only then will those licensed Utah providers be able to independently practice the 5 Needle Protocol (Auricular Acupuncture or Acudetox) in Utah.

If you are licensed in a state other than Utah, you need to be eligible to perform acudetox in your state before you can take the training. Contact your state licensing board if you have questions or for more information.