SECOND, Register for a 5-NP training.

Choose one of the 2 potential pathways (NADA ADS or POCA AAT) to receive a certificate to practice the 5-Needle Protocol (Auricular Acupuncture or Acudetox): 

• 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. Receive a certificate of completion as an Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist (ADS). 

• PATHWAY 2:  Complete POCA (People’s Organization of Community Acupuncture) training:

  1. Join POCA at the AAT Trainee Level and obtain a POCA username.

  2. Apply for a POCA AAT Training.  [FYI UtahAcudetox trains via the POCA pathway.] Pay associated fees.  You will need to enter your qualifying information, license number, etc as required by the training sponsor.  

  3. Complete a POCA-approved AAT Training, practice sessions and all other requirements.

  4. Submit all required materials to POCA through the Trainee Portal.

  5. POCA will send you a certificate of completion as a POCA Auricular Acu-Technician (AAT).

  6. 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, Master Addiction Counselors, etc.) must also:

1. Submit their NADA ADS Certificate or POCA AAT Certificate to the applicable licensing board at Utah DOPL. ​​[Email to B1@utah.gov. Include your Utah License Number in the email.].

2. Utah DOPL will add the 5 Needle Protocol (Auricular Acupuncture or Acudetox) certificate to your DOPL file. 

3. Then and only then will those licensed Utah providers be able to independently practice the 5 Needle Protocol (Auricular Acupuncture or Acudetox) in Utah.

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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.